Receiving the gift of organ donation

There was a heart warming meeting today between a local mother whose son was killed in a drunk driving crash and the man who received her son's gift of life.

But this meeting had a message for all of us.

This is the first meeting between two people whose lives were saved by organ donations -- and the woman who made the decision to donate her son's organs.

Donna Reed, son's organs saved lives: "I think it's all part of my closure. I'm happy I did this."

Her son Keith died in a car accident at the age of 24 two and a half years ago. Bill Sheridan received Keith's heart.

Mom and grandmom Katherine Scott received a liver and a kidney.

Scott: "It means a lot to me ... Best gift I ever had."

Without it, she would have died but amazingly her son, who knows that, is not sold on the idea.

Michelle Charlesworth: "Don't you want to be a donor?"

Son: "No."

Elaine Berg says he's not alone. Half of all Americans say no when asked about donating organs after death.

Michelle Charlesworth: "In our area, how many people are waiting?"

Elaine Berg, New York Organ Donor Network: "8,000 on that list."

Katherine says she is walking evidence that one person's tragedy can turn into another person's miracle.

(Reference: Charlesworth, M. Receiving the gift of organ donation. Retrieved March 29, 2006 from: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=4029470)