Donor Network honors blind couple, dog

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Donor Network honors blind couple, dog

   By Ken Hedler, The Daily Courier

Sunday, January 03, 2010

PRESCOTT VALLEY - Turalee Smith would not have lived to see her daughter get married, her son graduate from high school and the birth of six grandchildren if an organ donor had not come through 11 years ago.

In appreciation for saving her life, Smith, her husband Tim and her guide dog, Harley, became active volunteers with the Donor Network of Arizona.

"The best gift of life is life itself," Turalee, 48, said.

Turalee, a native of San Diego, cheated death Jan. 11, 1999, when a Panamanian-born doctor transplanted organs from a 15-year-old boy named Colin, who died after a car struck him.

Organ donor entities in four other states turned her down because she had a weak heart and only 20 percent chance of making it through the surgery, Turalee said.

She added juvenile diabetes triggered the need for new organs as well as caused her to become blind at the age of 36.

"I was only on (the donor list) for six months because I was so close to dying," she recalled. "I was on kidney dialysis for two years before they put me on the list."

Turalee said she raised $45,000 for the surgery because Medicare would not cover it.

The life-saving procedures inspired Turalee to become an active volunteer with the Donor Network.

She met Tim through their jobs at the Arizona Industries for the Blind in Phoenix, and he became a volunteer before they married in 2006. Tim, 47, has been legally blind since birth.

As a volunteer, Turalee said she stresses the need for organ donations when she speaks to church and civic groups six to eight times a year. Tim said "quite a few people" register with the Donor Network after they hear Turalee speak.

Turalee said Tim serves as her "backbone" when he accompanies her to speaking engagements and other events.

"I'm just there," Tim said. "I'll get people to sign up if they have questions."

Tim said Harley, a golden retriever, draws attention when the dog accompanies them. Harley also wears a bandana that says "Donate Life."

The couple and their dog apparently caught the eyes of donor network officials, who honored them during the fall with an award for being outstanding volunteers from Prescott.

The award is based on hours they spend volunteering, said Nuvia Enriquez, Hispanic outreach coordinator for the network.

"We obviously have a lot of great volunteers statewide," Enriquez said.

Editor's note: If you have a suggestion of a local person to feature in Achievers, call 445-3333, ext. 2041, or send an e-mail to khedler@prescottaz.com.

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