OPINION: Power of sharing keeps man alive

OPINION: Power of sharing keeps man alive

The Patriot Ledger
Posted Feb 18, 2010 @ 07:22 AM
QUINCY —

It’s nice to take a break from all the economic despair, political shenanigans, death and destruction to revel in the story of a stranger saving the life of a man living thousands of miles away.

And why did Jordana Bryan of Twin Falls, Idaho, donate her kidney to Charles “Chickie” Hoffman of Stoughton, though they never met or had any previous connection?

“I want his wife to have her husband back, their son to get their father back,” Bryan said before the transplant took place last week at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Isn’t that reason enough?

We don’t imagine that every person would be as selfless as Bryan, who traveled more than 2,500 miles to help give the 69-year-old Hoffman a new lease on life. But she represents every person who registers in bone marrow drives, gives blood or does something to make life better for others – seeking nothing in return.

“If I had 50 kidneys, I would donate 50 kidneys,” Bryan said.

We don’t doubt that she means it.

After the surgery, Bryan felt achy and tired, but had little pain. She also didn’t regret for a moment her decision to give Hoffman a kidney.

Hoffman, who had more pain after surgery, had been diagnosed with diabetes four decades ago, and his kidneys failed in 2006. That led to regular dialysis and a significant change in the once-active life of the electrical contractor.

He sought a kidney through a national donor registry and when that brought no results, he went to the Web and signed up on a site that finds donors, paid a $500 registration fee – and waited.

Then along came Bryan, who said she had a friend who needed a kidney transplant 20 years ago and is still alive. She understands the power of sharing, of healing, of giving.

She will be forever linked to Hoffman, who looks forward to a normal life again with his wife of 47 years, son and grandchildren.

Thanks to a caring and courageous 56-year-old widow from Idaho, he will have that chance.

http://www.enterprisenews.com/opinions/x590378201/OPINION-Power-of-sharing-keeps-man-alive