Dashed out

Today was the 14th annual Donor Dash for the Gift of Life. MM, LB, and I treked down to the Art Museum and join nearly 5,000 other walkers and runners. This year Gift of Life celebrates its 35th Anniversary.

It was a great day for a walk along the Schuylkill River and to see the boats and birds. This year was great, I didn't have to chase either of the kids back onto the road or sidewalk. The kids did through the full 3k walk and finished without any major needs to stop or piggyback ride.

We met the Donor Heart and Fox29's Bus Stop Buddy.

The kids also had fun with face painting, the Hatman, and seeing all the other people.

This year for the first time MM really saw the reason and meaning for organ donation. She met a couple of girls who were walking with their family. Their family donated his organs. This made quite the impression.

We didn't meet our fundraising goal, but there is always next year to walk.

Walking for Awareness

This year the stars have aligned so I will be walking in the Gift of Life's Donor Dash on April 20th.

I don't have any specific connection to organ donation - no story of a family member on the waiting list for years before a transplant was possible. I don't have a tragic connection to the death of someone close to me whose organs have gone on to save others. I just believe that organ donation is the last and best thing someone can do with their life to help other people.

For a couple of years DH was involved with the transplant program. During that time, I couldn't complain too much about his weird and long hours because most of the time he actually was heading out to help save someones life.

My target is to raise $250 this first year.

Time to head out for new walking sneakers and on to the trails for a training walk.