Monica is ready to Celebrate her Gift of Life!
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Monica Carden Phillips, of Cuyahoga Falls, received the Gift of Life just weeks ago. Now, she plans to celebrate life with hundreds of others by participating in LifeBanc’s Gift of Life Walk and Runon August 14 at Blossom Music Center.
A loving wife and mother, Monica’s life drastically changed seven years ago. Daily activities were leaving her short of breath and even a trip up and down a flight of stairswas becoming a struggle. After repeated doctor appointments and visits to AkronGeneral Hospital, Phillips was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Thereis no cure for IPF, a scarring or thickening of the lungs, and her only chance for survival would be a lung transplant. The next several years, Phillips led her life by carrying oxygen. In early 2009, she took a turn for the worse. Her health was declining and on April 15, 2010, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic put her on the national waiting list for a double lung transplant. Forty days later on May 24, 2010, Monica’s life changed again when she received the call she was waiting for. The lungs she desperately needed to survive were available for transplant.
“It’s been a ride, but it’s something I would do again in a minute,” said Phillips. “I just want to help others in my situation and let them know there is hope. I am alive today because of an organ donor.”
Just weeks after transplant and feeling great, Monica will make strides to save even more lives at LifeBanc’s Gift of Life Walk & Run when she walks with her family to celebrate life. “I really can’t put it into words how grateful I am for my donor and for LifeBanc. They both gave me my life back,” continued Phillips.
The event registration begins at 7:30 am. The 10K and 5K run begins at 9:00 am and immediately following, hundreds of organ and tissue recipients, donor families and teams will begin the 1.5K family fun walk. After the walk and run there will be prizes, awards, refreshments, activities for children and live music. The Legacy Garden which celebrates the lives of those touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation will open with a special ceremony at 8:00 am.
Register online for the Gift of Life Walk and Run today!
Nationally, more than 108,000 women, children, and men are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. More than 1,800 reside in Northeast Ohio. This event will help support LifeBanc’s initiatives to educate the community about organ and tissue donation and to increase the number of individuals registering their wishes to save lives as an organ and tissue donor. Become a registered organ and tissue donor online and help save a life or or call 1-888-558-LIFE.
