HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, USA: In a compelling story of generosity and selflessness, St. Mary’s Medical Center recently observed Living Donor Day, spotlighting the life-saving impact of organ donation. At the heart of this celebration was the inspiring tale of Betty Waddell, a nurse practitioner at the center, who rose to the occasion when a close friend’s husband was in dire need of a liver transplant.
Scotty Sparks, husband of St. Mary’s nurse manager Cindy Sparks, faced a grim battle with declining health after enduring three arduous years of chemotherapy. His only chance of survival was a liver transplant. Betty Waddell took the courageous step to get tested as a potential donor. It was discovered that she was a match and proceeded to donate 60% of her liver to Scotty, a decision she remains steadfastly proud of to this day, deeply feeling that she was guided by a higher calling.
Cindy Sparks reflected on the difficult journey and expressed immense gratitude for Betty’s selfless act, acknowledging the hardship of the past six months. Despite initial doubts and fears, everything aligned perfectly, leaving them assured of their path as they placed their faith in divine intervention.
Leon Noble, the hospital’s partnership liaison, emphasized the critical need for more individuals to consider organ donation. Highlighting the grim statistic that over 100,000 people linger on a national waiting list, Noble stressed the importance of donations as approximately 17 individuals die daily due to the scarcity of life-saving organs. This underscores the urgent necessity for more potential donors to register, offering them a chance to save and transform lives.
This poignant narrative not only underscores the gravity and impact of organ donation but also serves as a heartfelt call to action, urging more people to register at sites like registerme.org to potentially save countless lives.
