IN DEATH, GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 20, 1993                   TAG: 9302220275
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
IN DEATH, GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE
NO ONE can understand the need for human-organ donation more than someone in desperate need for one. Death is a tragedy and hurts the deceased's loved ones, but it can give life to others. With organ donation, good can come out of tragedy.
We cannot understand why some die and some live, but we must live life to its fullest and do our best to ensure this for others. Consider the agonizing of the dying, hoping and praying that somewhere a grieving family will find it in themselves to donate the organs of the deceased.
I am not sadistic and do not wish death on anyone so that I may receive lungs. I only hope that when God decides to take the life of others that at least they will give the gift of life. I believe there is no excuse not to donate organs and to deny others a chance at life. Organs will not do a dead person any good.
The response to my needs has been tremendous, but I cannot be helped without the donation of lungs. The number of people awaiting organs far exceeds the supply. WHITNEY LEFTWICH ROANOKE

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB