Giving and receiving the gift of life – County style

Wannett Fraser Reynolds is donating a portion of her liver to Terry Miller. photo - Joanne Harrington, ATW Photography

Two Prince Edward County residents will be in surgery next week – one needing a gift of life, the other giving it.
Wannett Fraser Reynolds is donating a portion of her liver to Terry Miller. And in true County style, the community is rallying for the cause.
“This gift of life, unfortunately comes with a large amount of expenses to both of the families that is not covered under any type of insurance,” says Pam McRae, of Picton. “I am raising funds and awareness for these two families through donations and  ‘Donate LIFE’ wrist bands.”
McRae is asking for a Loonie or Twoonie from each person who joins her ‘True Compassion’ Facebook page set up to raise awareness and has also set up a bank account at TD Canada Trust, downtown Picton.
“The group is dedicated to helping with the costs that both families will endure while going through an organ donation.”
McRae, who runs a childcare business from her home on Downes Avenue, is keeping track of donations in a book that will also contain thoughts for Wannett, Terry and their families.”
Reynolds has been undergoing many tests to prepare for the donation. She calls McRae “an amazing woman” and thanks her for her help to relieve some of the expenses for the two families and for getting the word out there about organ donation – “something many people don’t think about until it’s too late.”
The community is invited to help out the cause and find out more about organ donations, Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. at the Picton Library where Andrea Hicks Calvert will share her heartfelt message about the need for donors.

Andrea Hicks Calvert

Calvert lost her mother Fay Hicks to an infection while waiting on an organ transplant waiting list. She now writes a blog (‘Hummingbirds for Hope’) to raise awareness for the need of organ and tissue donations.
“On April 27, 2011 my mother lost a valiant and courageous battle while waiting for a liver and kidney transplant,” Calvert writes. “I suppose with bad news there are always some good things to look back on. She received her first transplant 10 years ago and was able to watch me graduate and get married. She was able to get to know her granddaughter for 3 1/2 years and she got to meet her grandson who was born on September 10, 2010.
“I started Hummingbirds for Hope as a way to help people understand that organ and tissue donation is a life-saving proceedure. The concept of the hummingbird came to me because mom always loved it when her “hummers” came back every spring to drink from the feeders she placed out for them. Plus, the symbolism is very accurate as to how we can’t take things for granted and we need to savour what we have, when we have it.
Anyone planning to attend Saturday’s presentation is asked to bring their health card to register as a donor
McRae notes a bank account has been opened for Terry Miller and Wannett Fraser Reynolds at TD Canada Trust. The Transit No is 34502, and the account number is 34506287413.