Molly Griswold
There are over 100,000 people waiting for an organ transplant nationally, according to the nonprofit group Gift of Life. For four long years, one of those people was Ansley Mangus, a Troy University criminal justice major who was a liver transplant recipient.
Many people have seen that little spot on their driver's license that says organ donor. They may know an organ donor, or they may have received an organ. That is the case for Ansley Mangus.
“Organ donation basically saved my childhood,” Mangus said. “It allowed me to do more stuff to be as normal as I could be as a kid.”
“Heaven doesn’t need your organs,” said Dr Kimberly Andrews, assistant professor of nursing, when asked about her opinion on organ donation. Andrews is the faculty advisor of the Student Organ Donation Advocacy club (SODA), and her daughter has a medical condition where she may need an organ transplant in the future. Now, she is an advocate for live organ donation.
Not only is organ donation beneficial to the people who receive the lifesaving procedure, but families often find solace in donation.
“They feel comfort that their family member helped save a life and that their memory will live on in the recipient's life,” Andrews added. Unfortunately, not everyone who supports or knows about organ donation is registered. In fact, according to Donor Network West, out of the 98% of people that support organ donation, only 58% are registered. Furthermore, the average waitlist for a liver transplant is anywhere from 30 days to over five years.
Grace Smith, a nursing major from Daleville, Alabama, said, “I think that (organ donation) is something that more people should think about signing up for.” SODA raises awareness about organ donation. The club educates students on the importance of organ donation, as well as teaches students how to register as organ donors.
SODA offers many events intended to bring awareness to Troy students. They are holding ‘Sodas for SODA’ on Sept. 17 from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. on the main quad, and they will also have an event called ‘Donuts for Donors’ in the spring.
Mangus felt connected to Troy, knowing that campus members advocated for and were passionate about something that saved her life.
In an article with Troy.today she said, “I’m going to Troy for many reasons, but most importantly, I chose Troy for the sense of community.”
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