Once A Donor, Twice the Hero
Jun 24, 2013 by Gift of Life
News
In the summer of 2011, Casey was a second year counselor at the Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana. Thanks to Gift of Life’s program, Finding the Hero in You at Camp, she was inspired by a student from Indiana University who came to speak to the camp staff about his experience as a donor. Casey said, “just the idea of potentially being able to save a life was more than enough to convince me to get swabbed that day.”
Like many donors, Casey never thought she would be a match, and was stunned when she received the call from Gift of Life. She said, “I was in complete shock. I was overwhelmed with what I had just been told and felt so grateful and fortunate to have been given this opportunity.” She added, “It was as though I was waking up from a daze, and I could finally see clearly and start living in the present!”
Following her donation, Casey’s friends, family and community were extremely supportive and proud of her. She has fielded “countless” calls from others asking how they can join the registry and what they can do to help raise awareness. She continues to support Gift of Life by serving as an ambassador, speaking about her donation experience at Goldman Union Camp Institute in the summers of 2012 and 2013. Sharing her story with the camp staff, she noted how much they appreciated her personal story, asked questions and expressed how strongly they hoped they would get the same call she received. Casey was able to help swab nearly 100 new donors at camp!
Casey thinks there is a definite connection between becoming a donor and the values taught at Goldman Union Camp. She said, “What better deed is there than helping save a life? We are all trying to help put the pieces of the world back together, and this was one of my pieces.”
Twenty two year old Casey lives in Bloomington, Indiana, where she is a student at Indiana State University. She is currently studying Exercise Science, with the hope of pursuing a graduate degree in Physical Therapy.
