KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and SportsOrgan donation: Giving the gift of life this Christmas

Organ donation: Giving the gift of life this Christmas

For many, the holiday season is a time of anticipation,  a time of giving, and receiving.

But for folks in need of an organ donation, the anticipation lasts all year long and could mean the difference between life and death.

In the lobby of Mercy Medical stands a Christmas Tree.

But this tree symbolizes more than the upcoming holiday, it also stands for the donors who gave their organs, tissues, and eyes to those in need.

Titled "The Giving Tree" this is the first year the tree has been set up, and organizers hope it calls attention to the cause.

"To create awareness in other people so that they do talk about donation in their families. It's very difficult sometimes to talk about death, but it is something that none of us will escape and it is such a vital gift that we can give to someone," said Mary Ann O'Dell, Donation Specialist with the Iowa Donor Network.

O'Dell says anyone, of any age, and any health, can be a donor.

"You know everyone should not consider them self too old for donation. The oldest liver donor was 90 and that liver functioned very well. So no one should consider them self too old or too sick," said Mary Ann O'Dell, Donation Specialist with the Iowa Donor Network.

One mother spoke about how her son gave the gift of life to some fortunate recipients.

Ryan Blanchard's Mom says her son was a guy that everybody liked.

"He was a wonderful go lucky kid. Bright eyed beautiful smile, liked to make people laugh," said Becky Leigh, mother of Ryan Blanchard.

But his life was tragically cut short after he was shot and killed a day before his 17th birthday.

"I would have to say it's a loss that never goes away for you. The days get a little easier as time goes on," said Leigh.

But parts of her son Ryan live on, as his mother, Becky Leigh, made the decision to donate his organs.

"To make it real for people, that what happen to me could happen to anybody at anytime," said Leigh.

"A heart to a child and a liver to a child. A kidney and a pancreas to a female adult and a kidney to an adult male," said Leigh.

Leigh says that though her son is not here, his spirit lives on in the lives he saved.

"Even though he won't be joining us for Christmas dinner, there will be four other individuals joining their families for Christmas dinner this year," said Leigh.

A donor can potentially save 8 lives through organ donation and between 50-60 lives can be enhanced through tissue and eye donation.

 Be an Organ Donor