I recently took part in The Little Red Heart 5K: LifeShare OK and it was way way over the top fun. This year, it was an honor to serve on the planning committee under our chairperson, Susannah Hooper from Aiden’s Legacy. Heather Dean, who is currently director of Quite a Lot, including Public Relations for LifeShare, invited me to help last fall. What an energized group of people, and we all had one heart going into the event: Honoring organ, eye, and tissue transplant donors, their families, and also recipients.
Gavin and Me The Little Red Heart 5K: LifeShare OK
I honor my liver donor with every breath taken. There is nothing like the feeling of almost dying… literally getting chemo blasted and fading fast…. and then living this marvelous life of mine. I’ve always been emotional, meaning other peoples stories get inside my heart. You can call it caring, empathy, or love. It can even be called co-dependency, but I’m involved with my loved ones. Gavin and his family are now part of my circle of love.
Being involved with Gavin’s life includes being friends with his mom. From the moment his aunt contacted me, I wanted to know him. As I carry him under my heart and ribcage, thoughts of his story remain with me constantly. Every movement in my body is impacted by his life and passing.
Transplant Stories
When speaking to families of organ donors, I become intertwined with their stories also. It’s all of our story, really. It’s about giving and receiving life. Every donor mom represents my donor mom. Every donor dad, brother, sister, son, or daughter touches me deeply.
I got to meet a donor’s wife this fall when speaking at a Celebration of Life. After arriving at The Little Red Heart 5K: LifeShare OK last week, there she was with her children. I kept an eye on her all day. My heart hovered with hers. She is a courageous single mom, much like my donor mom. She is showing up bravely for her kids, just like my donor mom. Our hearts swelled so huge, that we let the tears roll and we embraced before, and after, the race.
Another donor mom was there with her husband and children. She gave the gift of life also. It was less recent, and her heart was steady. Susannah chaired our event, is still moving through stages of grief, but the pain is less acute. Her pride and joy were very evident when she spoke of why she was helping to keep her son’s memory alive by participating in The Little Red Heart 5K: LifeShare OK and also the work she does for Aiden’s Legacy.
That’s why we’re all there. Recipients, living donors, donor families, and staff are there to keep the story, and the memory of their loved one, alive.
Raising Awareness
We had about 1,000 participants this year, and it was a delight to see them all cheering, racing, and walking. There was face painting for the kids, funny ballon twisters, chalk drawing, donuts, bananas, juice, coffee, and snacks. We ended with a breakfast burrito of eggs and chopped barbecue from Head Country in Ponca City. All I can say is WOW about the amazing food.
The medals and shirts are great too, and of course lots of photo ops to show off our great swag bags.
Oklahoma Running Clubs, schools, track teams, and individual athletes all came to compete. We had some record breaking times for some individuals. We created an awareness that one person’s life had saved or enhanced the life of another. We celebrated life this year at The Little Red Heart 5K: LifeShare OK. See below for a list of our sponsors. I hope you’ll join us next year in Oklahoma City.
The Little Red Heart 5K: LifeShare OK
KJ103
iHeartMEDIA
TEPCO Glass
Central Bank of Oklahoma
Bridge to Life
Private Jets, Inc
Organ Recovery Systems
Cryolife
OKC Thunder
Promethera
Oklahoma City Dodgers
Aidan’s Legacy
Global Transplant Solutions
Oklahoma University
Head Country Barbecue
Trust Company Oklahoma
Advantage Benefits Plus
Tack Designs Custom Shirts
6 thoughts on “The Little Red Heart 5K: LifeShare OK”
Hi, Karen, I was so happy to read about Gavin and Me The Little Red Heart 5K: LifeShare OK!!! I’m so happy you are so happy! I am doing better. I moved in with my sister and nephew on August 28th because she finally got her house! So there was room for me :))) I am so grateful! It’s been quite and adjustment and I lost my dear sweet little birdie, Baby who was 22 years old on Sept 2. The move was too hard on him and he was old with health problems. I still have Beenie who is almost 17 and very healthy. It was Baby’s time to go. I’m just so happy to read about your happiness and new friends.
Love, big hugs, birdie kisses. Barb, Beenie, Baby spirit!!!
Barbara,
Hugging your neck and thankful for your comment love. Happiness is contagious and I’m feeling your joy dear friend. Isn’t it good to be HOME? I need to write about that topic, because I hear so many stories about how we get displaced with illness.
I’m sad to hear about the love of Baby. He lived a long life, and I know you gave him good care til the end. I wonder how Beenie is doing with all of this? Does he miss Baby or can you tell? I know that as long as you’re there, he feels at hime too. Love and hugs for your loss.
It was a very wonderful and emotional day for all of us. The joy was high and we understood the cycles and seasons of life.
Much love and kisses back to you Barb, Beenie and Baby Spirit!
xoxo Karen
Wonderful!
I always love hearing from you Joel. I’ve not been as active in social media with all my busyness. My heart wonders how you are doing? I hope the family and grands are doing well too. You’ve always got a big heart and large shoulders, but I’m sending some extra love and support your way to day.
xoxoxoxo Karen
I’m glad that you talk about your donor and remember him and his mother.
Julie,
It’s not always easy for a donor mom. They have their good days, and also still experience deep loss. It helps me to pray while offering thanks for Gavin’s mom.
She made an unselfish choice, and that is pure love for human kind that is above her own suffering. When we find a place within us to put other’s first, there is a mature level of love and understanding.
My love to you and thanks for comment Love!
xo Karen
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