Drive for life tour visits Mount Ayr
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By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Iowa Donor Network paid a visit to Mount Ayr this past week and was represented by Liz Markert, mother of Emily Markert, one of the foundations original inspirations.
Liz Markert’s motivations stem from a promise she made to her daughter Emily during the final days of her daughter’s life.
Emily was the recipient of a life saving lung transplant by way of her two uncles, Don and Larry as she struggled with the failings of these vital organs as a result of a pneumonia diagnosis at age 17. Emily’s transplant gifts from her uncles added years to her life that she would otherwise have been denied.
Emily expressed her utmost gratitude to her genetically matched uncles for helping to extend her life and in the process expressed to her mother Liz, that she wanted her mother to help spread the word regarding these life saving procedures.
Emily was a model candidate as she was an athlete and avid runner giving her a better than even chance of long-term survival with a well matched donor. Unfortunately, Emily lost her life battle to cancer in 2014.
To fulfill on her promise. Liz Markart teamed up with the Iowa Donor Network and formed Drive for Life, Emily’s Legacy DMV Tour. Liz Markert then set out on the road to spread the word of Emily’s story. Ringgold County represented the 68th county visited by Liz on her way to visiting all 99 counties in Iowa, hoping to educate the citizens of Iowa of the importance of this special program.
During her visit to Ringgold County, Markert staged up a small table on the second floor of the county courthouse building and received visitors that had learned of her visit by Facebook and word of mouth. Her tasteful table held fliers and brochures and flickering candles that highlighted the work the donor network performs. She answered questions and thanked attendees for their attention and turnout.
Markert pointed out that there are several ways to become a donor in addition to the typical declaration such as when applying for a drivers license.
“You can sign up as a donor through the DNR or by going online to our web site,” she said.
She also noted there is a real lack of information that fully explains the donor program and what it entails. Most people think of hearts and eyes, but you can also enable patients in need of skin, tendons, bones, kidneys and a variety of other human organs and tissues. Markert went on to point out that there is absolutely no charge for any donor family.
By offering viable needed organs and tissues “the donor is already giving the most important thing — a chance for an extended life or valuable gift of sight,” Markert said.
Emily Markert’s life was cut short by an unfortunate illness that put her on a path of organ donation that gave her additional time. It enabled her to complete her studies at Iowa State where she earned a degree in dietetics. Liz shared some statistics regarding donors and potential recipients that help to put these programs into perspective.
As of April 1 there were 108,942 people on the national organ waiting list, 613 of whom are Iowa citizens. One donor can potentially save up to eight lives through organ donation, and enhance between 50 and 300 lives through tissue donation.
By teaming up with the Department of Transportation and the Iowa Donor Network, Liz Markert was able to launch Drive for Life. She was quick to point out that Emily’s motivation was born out of compassion and a deep desire to help out others in a similar situation.
She became an avid advocate of the donor process not just because she personally benefited from the programs but because she saw the importance of these selfless acts and the impacts they can have on families looking for hope. Her mother is keeping that wish alive through her memory and her story.
For more information go to the website at www.iowadonornetwork.org.
