Wednesday, February 24, 2010

bravery: the real deal

I have a thing about people being called heroes undeservedly. It's a tag that seems to be bandied about without any real thought, except perhaps when we're talking about a war or a natural disaster. You see heroics everywhere then don't you? People putting their own lives on the line for others. Sportsmen get called heroes all the time in this country. Sportsmen are not heroes people. Role models maybe, heroes no. Celebrities are not heroic...well some of them might be, but I seriously doubt it. That's what I think anyway! 
I believe that heroism and real bravery are about sacrifice and giving; often about everyday people doing extraordinary things and you don't bump up against it all that often...well not in my experience. 
But in my circle of volleyball friends there is one very brave woman; a heroine by my definition. Someone who is making a real sacrifice, though I suspect she wouldn't describe it that way. Denise is giving up one of her kidneys for her brother today in a hospital in Adelaide. She is, by her own admission, an intensely private person, but she said it was ok for me to write about this as long as it was about promoting organ donation...and it is organ donation week after all. So please take some time to think about this. There's a good website Donate Life with loads of information. And if you're not on the register, please think about that as well. If you want information about live kidney donor transplants there is information here. Apparently at least 30 percent of willing, and otherwise appropriate kidney donor-recipient pairs are incompatible, and currently can't proceed to live donor transplantation. Thankfully this is not the case for Denise and her brother. 
So Denise, you heroine (oh yes you are!), here's blessings to you both xx



8 comments:

  1. I had no idea! I was wondering what the 'big day' was about and thought it might be an anniversary. Denise rocks!

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  2. Oh yes, she's one very special person!

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  3. This inspired me to finally get off my butt and register.
    Now I can happily say, I am an organ donor!!

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  4. Wow, that makes writing this blog completely and utterly worthwhile! Thanks Kylie.

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  5. That's amazing - I hope the story has a happy ending. I'm with you on the heroes thing. Everyday people doing extraordinary things every day. They're the heroes.

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  6. You're so right, 'hero' gets bandied about all the time (good at your sport? You're a hero!) but, yes, your friend Denise's sacrifice for her brother is utterly moving and heroic. x

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  7. There are few real heroes we hear about, thanks for a haring this one. Organ donation after death is simple to me, I can give anything when I am dead, but to do it as a healthy person is truly wonderful.

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  8. Just extraordinary, Kerry - thanks for sharing. What an amazing woman. It makes you really think about what life is all about. J x

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I love it when you comment...I feel excited, chuffed and tranquil all at the same time! Thank you.

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