Team Turtle Power attended the Celebrate Life 5K Run/Walk this past Sunday morning. It was a little chilly when we first arrived but we bundled up Miss Autumn is her Ninja Turtle’s fleece blanket and she was nice and cozy. We had a wonderful turnout as a team and the event itself attracted approximately 3000 people! The 5K was hosted by Mid America Tranpslant Services, a local organ procurement entity involved in transplant across the region. This is who will, hopefully soon, find a perfect match for miss Autumn.
The opening ceremony to the event was a bit emotional. Two guest speakers shared their stories of experiences with organ donation. One family spoke of their young male family member who had lost his life and donated his organs. The second speaker was a doctor who received the heart of the first young male. It was touching and made Mama Turtle cry some tears of mixed emotion. Happy for the man to receive the life-saving organ but sad to know that it was at the cost of a young man’s life. I hope that one day, after Autumn receives her new liver, that I will be able to attempt to thank the family of the donor who gave the ultimate gift of hope and new life.
Our team rocked Autumn’s signature color, emerald green, in honor of Liver Disease Awareness. Autumn let us do all of the work and took it upon herself to nap in her stroller most of the 5K. It’s hard work being so adorable! In true Turtle Power fashion, our group finished just shy of DEAD LAST place. Slow and steady, right?!
One of the most memorable experiences of the day was with a woman named Carol. Carol approached our group and introduced herself. She said that she wasn’t registered to participate in the 5K but enjoyed attending the pre and post race activities. Carol lost her son when he was in his late teens/early 20s. She was able to donate his heart to a second individual who she recently learned was still alive today! Carol handed Mama Turtle a $20 bill and said that she wished to donate to COTA in honor of Autumn. She wished baby Turtle luck and said that she hopes her new liver comes soon. She handed Mama Turtle a beautiful bouquet of flowers and we exhanged hugs. It was a beautiful experience and made my heart full and hopeful.
We can’t wait to attend the 5K next year, but this time with a healthy, shiny new liver!
