So that others may live

Church encourages organ donation through National Donor Sabbath

By Iris Hersh

Staff writer

November 10, 2005

Public Opinion/Markell DeLoatch Keeping his memory alive: Peggy Shank lights a candle to commemorate the 10th anniversary of National Donor Sabbath at First United Methodist Church. Shank's late son, David Tanger, became an organ donor. If you go National Donor Sabbath will be held during 8:15, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. worship services on Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 225 N. Second St. Organ donation will be discussed and literature will be distributed. Candles will be lit to signify the continuation of life for those who donate. Rick Knepper will speak about organ and tissue donation to groups. He can be reached at 263-1189. For more information about organ and tissue donation, visit www.donors1.org. David Tanger

More than five dozen people are alive, can walk or have sight thanks to the generosity of David Tanger, an organ and tissue donor.

Shortly before the 33-year-old's unexpected death on May 29, 2002, he had discussed his desire to be an organ donor, said Peggy Shank of Chambersburg, his mother. "He said that he wanted to be able to help others, if he could, through donation."

Since her son's death, Shank has tried to promote organ, tissue and corneal donation. The Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) invited people to intensify educational efforts among places of worship to promote understanding of organ, tissue and corneal donations on National Donor Sabbath. First United Methodist Church at 225 S. Second St. will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Donor Sabbath on Sunday.

During the church's three Sunday morning worship services -- including a traditional service at 8:15 a.m., a contemporary service at 9:30 a.m. and a blended service at 10:45 a.m. -- organ, tissue and corneal donation will be brought to the attention of those in attendance. The Rev. John Dromazos will discuss organ donation, and Peggy Shank will distribute literature at the end of each service. Candles will be lit to signify that life continues for those who donate.

Shank thinks the information will answer questions and give people an opportunity to sign up to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor.

Dromazos said the scriptures favor organ donation and transplantation.

"God has spoken to us through the scriptures to care for life and to treat our bodies as a temple," the reverend said. "So I believe there is no greater way of embracing what God has given us than to donate our organs so that others may have life."

Thirteen years ago, Rick Knepper had end stage renal disease, and his kidneys were about to stop functioning. It was either a kidney transplant or dialysis.

"I experienced a miracle," said Knepper, 55, of Chambersburg. Ten days after being put on the list to receive a kidney, a perfect six-way match was found, and he had the transplant.

"It was pretty emotional at first, because I understand someone else has died, and I'm living a normal life because of that," said Knepper, who teaches psychology, sociology and driver's education at Southern Huntingdon County High School near Orbisonia.

Knepper said he discusses the psychological issues people deal with after transplants in his psychology classes.

"I do appreciate life more because I know how fragile it is," Knepper said. He conducts programs on organ donations for Masonic and civic organizations and church groups. "I'm more thankful for all of my blessings."

Knepper keeps in contact with the mother of the man whose kidney keeps him alive and off dialysis.

"She is so glad I'm doing well, and it means a lot to her because her son made it possible," Knepper said. "His mother said he (Knepper's kidney donor) was a very giving person, full of life and had a terrific smile."

All major religions approve of organ and tissue transplantation, according to literature from the Gift of Life Donor Program, a nonprofit organ and tissue donor program serving the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and the state of Delaware. It has coordinated nearly 11,000 organ transplants for patients since 1974.

Many Protestant denominations believe such decisions are individual ones. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church strongly encourages donation and transplantation. The United Methodist Church issued a policy statement to encourage all Christians to become organ and tissue donors as a part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ.

Presbyterians encourage and support donation. They respect a person's right to make decisions regarding their own body.

"Out of my sister's death came a lot of gifts of life for other people," said the Rev. Bonnie Orth, pastor at Roxbury, Otterbein and Upper Strasburg United Methodist churches.

Orth's sister, Kelly Murphy, died at 45 from a cerebral aneurysm and donated her organs and tissue.

In January 2004, a month after Murphy died, Orth received a letter that stated Murphy's heart, both kidneys, liver and left lung were harvested and donated. The right lung was unable to be donated so it was given for research, the pancreas was recovered for islet cells, which is a research procedure, and bone was donated. Fifty to 60 patients were to be treated with Murphy's donation. Tissue was harvested for use and corneas were recovered but not yet used.

"We received thank you notes from several families of people who received the organs, but no names were given," said Orth.

"Knowing my sister, she shared everything, and it just fits with her personality," said Orth, who plans to donate her organs and tissue also. "I believe God uses us to help others in many ways."

In November 2004, Orth conducted an organ donor Sunday service at all her churches. She shared her sister's story, talked about the organ donor program and distributed literature and cards to those interested in donating.

"The loss of someone very dear to you that's very sudden, especially when it's traumatic, is very difficult," Orth said. "To know her organs live on to give life to someone else helps to relieve some of the pain."

In the U.S. alone, 11 people die every day waiting for an organ donation, according to Gift of Life literature.

"I wanted to draw attention to this because it's such a wonderful thing to do," Shank said. "I'm grateful that David had the foresight to be an organ donor. There's nothing greater than being able to help other people."

Copyright © 2005 Public Opinion.

This article posted December 3, 2005.