Son’s life continues because of decision to be an organ donor

It took Lori Lewis seven years to speak out publicly.

That’s how long it’s been since she decided to donate organs, bone marrow and tissue from her 13-year-old son, Tony Benitez, after he was killed in a pedestrian accident.

The Gray resident was strong, clear and concise about the need for greater organ donations at this month’s flag-raising ceremony at Terrebonne General Medical Center to kick off April as Donate for Life Month.

“What can be any better when you’re grieving a loss of a loved one than to give the gift of life to someone else?” Lewis asked. “When you get to meet and talk to (the recipients) and know they have a second chance, that really outweighs everything.”

Terrebonne Parish Council Chairwoman Arlanda Williams presented a proclamation declaring April 2009 Donate Life month in Houma and the parish.

She too was personally touched by the impact of an organ transplant. In February 2008, her father, James Charles, received two kidneys.

“I remember the night the family was here when my dad’s kidneys completely failed,” Williams said. “(The doctors) told us he needed dialysis and a possible donation. Ever since then I realized the importance of organ donation because my daddy wouldn’t be alive today.”

The flag raising was the first of several events TGMC is doing to encourage area residents to register as organ donors.

The hospital is coordinating with local groups such as the Rotary Club, Volunteer Auxiliary and Mended Hearts to give presentations on how to become an organ donor. An informational table will be set up at Southland Mall on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Electronic digital billboards promoting donor awareness will be visible throughout Houma.

Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) representatives will be in the TGMC front lobby from 10 am to 2 pm during April. Additional information will be provided at TGMC’s OutReach Center, in the summer edition of the hospital’s “Take Care Magazine” and on the Web sites of TGMC and other local businesses.

“The Louisiana Hospital Association and LOPA launched this initiative to help increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors,” said Phyllis Peoples, TGMC president and CEO. “By the end of 2009, the Donate Life/ Louisiana Hospital Association campaign hopes to increase the Louisiana donator registry by at least 10 percent. That’s 160,000 people which we feel can be added.”

According to LOPA, over 1,800 people in Louisiana are waiting for lifesaving transplants. One organ donor can save up to nine lives, restore sight to two people and enhance the lives of up to 50 people through tissue donation.

Approximately 100,000 people are on the nationwide waiting list and 17 patients each day will die waiting for an organ.

Lewis, 45, became a reluctant champion of the organ donation cause.

In February 2002, a volunteer fireman struck Benitez en route to a call.

When doctors told her and older son Paul that Benitez’s chances of surviving were not good, they began discussing whether to allow his organs to be donated.

“The neurosurgeon came back after some tests and told me it was apparent he was brain dead,” Lewis said. “At that time, LOPA came to me and asked what my wishes would be as far as Tony being an organ donor. Obviously I said yes. I didn’t have a second thought. He was such a giving child, so why not make his life go on.”

The kidneys, liver, heart, bone marrow and tissue were donated to recipients around the country.

“Tony’s heart went to a gentleman in Florida who I had the pleasure of meeting. It gave me the opportunity to know he could live on to watch his grandchildren grow up,” Lewis said.

“I still receive updates from his liver and kidney recipients. Many patients I know have had a much better quality of life,” she added. “This experience has humbled me that my son would be my hero.”

For Williams, it was moving to hear from someone who had been on the other end of the organ donation equation.

“We were on the end of excitement, but to hear about the person who had to lose someone for somebody else to live, it really touched me,” she said. “Her story made me realize how fortunate we were.”

Charles, a former Terrebonne Parish school superintendent, recently returned to work substituting as assistant principal at Evergreen Junior High School.

Williams and her sisters, Angela and Tanya, are in the process of becoming organ donors.

“When I first got my driver’s license at age 17 and they asked if I wanted to be a donor, I just said, ‘ Fine,'” she recalled. “Now, I realize the importance of being on an organ donation list.”

Since her son’s death, Lewis has done personal outreach to his friends and co-workers about organ donation. However, the speech at TGMC was her first public forum.

It wasn’t easy for her, but she felt compelled because she may soon be in need of a lung transplant.

“I have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). I only have 20 percent of my lungs left,” Lewis explained. “It’s different being on the other end. Nobody wishes for someone else to pass away, but that’s the only way I’m going to live.”

She was diagnosed with COPD in December 2002. Last year, Lewis and her doctor started discussions on becoming a lung recipient.

Lewis has not been put on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) list yet, nor has it been determined if she will need one or two lungs.

“I’m not going to be greedy. I’m hoping I can get away with just one lung,” Lewis said. “I’m not on the oxygen yet. I’m fighting it. Right now, I’m doing pre-medical tests. I’m trying to go up to the University of Michigan, unless they can get a transplant team down here to Oschner again, then I’d stay here.”

While Lewis is uncertain about her future, the TGMC staff and Williams are stalwart in their belief she will get through this unfortunate medical battle.

“Your life is going to continue because of the strength your son left behind for you,” Williams told her.

Officer Kevin Grant (foreground), Lt. Adrian Duke Williams (background) and Maj. Dean Marcel (not pictured) raise the Donate for Life flag alongside the American flag. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF