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Help Kasie raise money

For participating in The 2021 ASICS Falmouth Road Race

Support the mission to save and heal lives through donation!

My story regarding organ donation began before I was born...


Back in 1984, my dad was one of three siblings to experience kidney failure. After much testing and research we don’t know why their kidneys failed as it was not a hereditary condition.


At the age of 24 my dad received his first dialysis treatment. He was on dialysis for about a year and a half before he got the call that would change his life. 


Growing up I had always known that December 8th was an important day to my dad. We wouldn't celebrate or do anything special but he would always reminisce about the night he was out at a Christmas themed play when his beeper went off...he had a match.


The kidney transplant that he received when he was 25 gave him the chance to live his life to the fullest. He succeeded at work and at home, eventually having three kids of his own (that's where I come in!) 


At a very young age I knew how lucky I was that my dad was healthy and I understood that it was all due to a generous donor. Throughout my childhood, he was extremely active doing everything from coaching our softball teams to going skydiving with us when I turned 18.  


Then in December of 2010, his donor kidney failed. After 25 years of exercising and eating right, he returned to a life that revolved around dialysis. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday he went to a local dialysis clinic for a three to four-hour treatment.

What many people don’t realize is that while dialysis can keep you alive, it’s not a permanent solution. After six years, my dad’s dialysis treatment had really done a number on his heart. The medications that he was required to take affected his skin health, nerve endings, blood pressure as well as his strength and energy levels. However, the most notable side effect of dialysis was the development of a disease called calciphylaxis. After years of treatment, the dialysis machine was no longer extracting calcium out of his bloodstream. Instead, the calcium was building up in his veins and impeding blood flow. The disease was not only extremely painful (requiring multiple amputations) but it was terminal. 


My dad’s medical history has given me a unique perspective on organ donation. I’ve seen the good that comes from a successful transplant and I’ve experienced the bad that comes from having to wait too long. 


THAT is why I am running in the Falmouth Road Race on the New England Donor Services team for the 5th consecutive year. 

 

Now, I absolutely HATE running but I am 1,000% crazy about my dad, I miss him with every single piece of my heart AND I know that when I am running he's right there with me (definitely laughing at me but there nonetheless)!

  

So, regardless of my lack of athleticism, I am excited to run with my dad in my heart and the hope that someday EVERYONE will be an organ donor and those in need will never have to wait.

Description

New England Donor Services is the not-for-profit organization serving the region for organ and tissue donation. There are currently 5,500 patients waiting for an organ transplant in New England and countless others will require tissue to heal this year. With approximately half of the population registered donor, it's critical for more people to join the Donor Registry today. Funds are needed to help educate the community about the importance of organ and tissue donation and the need across the community. Give now and show your support!

Recent donors

Donation date Donor name Donation amount
Aug 05 Dina & Jeff $55.35
Aug 03 Doreen (Dee) Love and miss my friend Kevin. Thank you Kasie for keeping his memory alive ❤️ $28.10
Aug 03 Anonymous Undisclosed amount
Aug 03 Lisa & Frank Lemieux You are awseome.!! Such a great cause and your Dad must be smiling down from heaven, bursting with pride ❤️ $109.85
Aug 03 Abby You had me at the first pic of Landon $55.35
Aug 03 Edna Dratch-Parker 💗 $109.85
Aug 03 Allison Chasse $55.35
Aug 03 Bethany Lowe This is so touching! Good luck! Dec. 8th is J’s birthday 💓 $55.35
Aug 03 Kathleen Nelson Love you!!! $28.10
Aug 03 Anonymous Love you so much, Kasie! Undisclosed amount