Tacoma Mother Honors Organ Donors During Give Thanks, Give Life

This December, Roselyn Knox joins thousands of others who have been touched by organ donation and transplantation to thank and honor donors during our year-end Give Thanks, Give Life campaign. Roselyn’s daughter Marie suffered from health problems throughout her life, including pancreatitis, diabetes, and autoimmune disease. Early last year, as her health took a severe downward turn Marie was transferred from St. Joseph’s Medical Center to the University of Washington Medical Center to be assessed for a liver and kidney transplant.

She was prepped for transplant surgery, however the damage to her liver was too extensive for the doctors to operate. She was moved to the ICU where the family was able to gather together. Physicians were having trouble regulating Marie’s blood pressure. The medicine wasn’t helping and Roselyn knew the best thing was to let her go. Although Marie’s second chance never came, Roselyn was deeply moved by her experience attending a transplant support group and meeting transplant recipients that she continues to educate and advocate for the life-saving cause.

“There is this world that exists, and nobody knows anything about it,” she says. “I think donation means the world to other people. It’s more than just organs, donation gives life to someone else. I’d like to help people to understand the misconceptions around it.”

Right now in Washington state, there are nearly 2,000 individuals on the transplant waiting list, with a majority of those needing a kidney. Join Roselyn and LifeCenter Northwest in honoring our organ and tissue donors this season, for they have given a second chance at life to those in need.

As we celebrate the season of giving and the generosity of our donor heroes, be sure to share your kindness as well. Register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor today, and talk to your family about your wishes. You can register at your local DOL office when receiving or renewing your license or online at www.lcnw.org.

About LifeCenter Northwest

Founded in 1997, LifeCenter Northwest serves communities throughout Alaska, Montana, North Idaho and Washington. LifeCenter Northwest works collaboratively with roughly 200 hospitals. For more information, or to register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor, go to www.lcnw.org.