Long Island TRIO school speakers Allison Pohl McRae and Ruth Pohl, Dave Rodgers, and Bobby Seeback delivered presentations on the benefits of organ donation and transplantation to health classes at Lindenhurst High school on January 3, 2016.

The speakers visited Lindenhurst High School- with George Smalley – Health teacher, Allison Pohl MacRae, Ruth Pohl, Linda Flannery – Assistant Principal and Dave Rodgers. Camera shy and in attendance was Bobby Seeback, Heart transplant recipient and Paul Digiullo -Health education teacher.

Dave presented the facts and statistics concerning organ donation and transplants and an overview of the need for educating the public, while identifying two local high school heroes who became organ donors. Bobby related his almost 20 years with a second chance because of the gift of life bestowed on him through organ donation and how he has paid it forward with the birth of his twin boys. Ruth walked through the steps of her journey noting the challenge for her family as a mother and wife. Then, Ruth spoke of the reward of her transplant that took place twelve years later, watching her daughter Allison get married and now expecting her first grandchild.

Her daughter Allison, a Lindenhurst High School graduate, then presented the point of view of the daughter wanting to do anything and everything to save her mother’s life. Allison gave a detailed sequence of events, sharing the emotion and drama of her mother’s rollercoaster ride, including her own testing to be the donor. Allison summarized the ordeal of her mother’s journey finally saved by the generosity of a 20-year old young lady, the same age as Allison at the time, whose untimely death led to the donation of her liver to Ruth. The students, health teachers and the Assistant Principal thanked us for sharing our knowledge, compassion and our personal stories.

Ames Students Learn About the Gift of Life