More than 100,000 people still waiting for life-saving transplants
By Rohan Andresen ’12
THE ROUNDUP
When Robby Mayasich ’10, known as a giving and caring person his entire life, passed away he left behind a gift that would change lives.
He was an organ donor, or someone who gives their vital organs to medicine for a transplant in event of their death.
Mayasich died March 2 after he was struck by a car while running a relay race with friends several days earlier.
Brophy Vice President Ms. Adria Renke said doctors told Mayasich’s family his organs were in wonderful condition, a bittersweet comfort.
In a media statement Mr. Dan Mayasich, Robby’s dad, said being an organ donor and helping so many others was such a “Robby” thing to do.
“Please know that all your prayers were indeed answered and there was a miracle,” Mr. Mayasich said. “Robby just chose to take and grow it tenfold by changing the world with the gift of himself.”
According to OrganDonor.gov, there are more than 106,000 people waiting for organ transplants as of March 8 in the United States.
These organ donations include the need for kidneys, hearts, lungs, livers, pancreases and the intestines along with skin tissue, blood and stem cells.
All one has to do to become an organ donor is check a box when they receive their driver’s license or permit.
Almost anyone, regardless of their age, can donate organs unless they have an active cancer, are HIV positive, or have any systematic infection, according to OrganDonor.gov.
For more information on becoming an organ donor in Arizona, visit www.donatelifeaz.org.
As of now, according to Ms. Renke, Brophy administrators are discussing plans to organize a drive where students would be able to sign up to become organ donors.
“His organs have restored life’s promise for many families – giving rise to greater miracles than we might have imagined,” read the message on the back of Mayasich’s funeral card.
“Please know that all your prayers were indeed answered and there was a miracle. Robby just chose to take and grow it tenfold by changing the world with the gift of himself.
—Mr. Dan Mayasich”• For information on becoming an organ donor,
visit www.donatelifeaz.org