In December 2009 my sister, Mary, was diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis of the liver. This September we’re celebrating the sixth anniversary of her successful liver transplant. I’m very happy to report Mary, and her donor, Angie (our hero), are doing fine. I’d like to share with your readers this adaptation from the “Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley.

“One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a figure in the distance. As he got closer he realized the figure was that of a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, ‘What are you doing?’

The youth replied, ‘Throwing starfish in the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.’

‘Son,’ the man said, ‘don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t possibly make a difference!’

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, ‘I made a difference to that one.’”

Please consider becoming a donor simply by checking local blood drive dates or checking yes to organ donation on your driver’s license application. One person can make a life-changing difference. “Why wasn’t I the donor?” you ask. Well Mary and I have different blood types; subsequently, I was not her best donor match. Siblings who are not always compatible — go figure!

Dave Brackey

Albert Lea