Dearest friends and family,
With love and gratitude, I am here once again asking for your support. My team, Following Scott’s Heart, will gather April 29, to participate in the One Legacy Run/Walk in support of organ, eye and tissue donation. For the past two years, thanks your generosity, I have been the top individual fundraiser. I hope to retain that title this year with your contributions.
Let me share my feelings as I process two years and four months since Scott became my Stardust son…
In August, Bonnie Raitt released a song that felt as if she had written it for me. Just Like That. The story of a heart recipient finding the mother whose son gave him his second chance at life. These lyrics melt me…
“It was your son’s heart that saved me, a life you gave us both.“
And…
“I lay my head upon his chest, and I was with my boy again.”
In December, with the help of a high-tech amplifying/Bluetooth stethoscope, I heard Scott’s heart beating for its new owner, my “heart son“ Jeff. This moment took place while we were decorating the Donate Life float for the Rose Parade. It was captured by news media in video and photos. https://youtu.be/ISSnQvxk8e8 I cannot put into words the emotion I felt in that moment. I will have that stethoscope with me at every gathering with Jeff. He has promised his “heart mom“ the opportunity to hear it beating whenever we are together.
In January, we took the grandkids to see the post Rose Parade float display. Ryder’s mom and I felt it was a good time to explain to Ryder what a hero his dad was with his organ donation. As I introduced Ryder to some of my One Legacy acquaintances, he proudly announced, “My dad was a heart donor”.
This spring we are planning our next family gathering to include Jeff’s family. Ryder will learn that his tennis coach/friend Jeff carries his dad’s still beating heart.
I have found purpose as an advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation, and have was proud to speak on behalf of donor families at the grand opening of the One Legacy Donor Recovery Center in November. *There’s an amusing story to share here - if you want to know more, just reach out to me!
If you have read this far, please accept my thanks and heartfelt gratitude. If you have it in your heart to make a donation, please click the CONTRIBUTE link below.
I will post updates as I approach my fundraising goal of $10,000. It’s a stretch, but I am determined. For my Stardust son. My hero. My purpose.
With Gratitude Always,
Paula
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