In Loving Memory of Jennifer Kathleen Sutton. 7/29/83 - 3/1/09 By Sungazing


Jennie loved rainbows.

Short Story:donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/ The Real Story:The paper cranes in this photo were the backdrop of a friend’s funeral service. Did that get your attention? I hope so. Because I am desperately asking you to read everything I have to say here.Jennifer Sutton had Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic, genetic disease that affects the lungs. A disease that she struggled with her entire life. On January 17, 2008, after many trials, Jennie was given the gift of new lungs. Unfortunately, over the course of the following year, her body rejected those lungs. According to legend, if you fold a thousand paper cranes, you are granted a miracle. When she was placed on the transplant list again this January, her family and friends began to fold cranes. With each crease, we were hoping and praying for the miracle Jennie needed. I learned a little bit about cranes during the time that they were folded. But one fact stood out above the rest. Unlike similar birds that tuck their necks in during flight, cranes fly with their necks outstretched. This should make anyone who knew Jennie laugh a little. How perfect that we folded so many of these for her. She wanted to beat her disease…and she fought as long as she possibly could have…with her stubborn neck outstretched. No doubt about that. On March 1, 2009 at the age of 25 1/2, Jennie Sutton, passed away, surrounded by family and friends. There were 1008 cranes in the ICU waiting room at Barnes Jewish Hospital (St. Louis) when she died. So, where is the miracle in that? I’ll tell you what Jennie would want that miracle to be. She wants you to be informed about being an organ and tissue donor. Organ donation gave her one more year of life (albeit labored, there were a lot of good times in that year!). And organ donation gave her and her family hope. All the way to the end. It gave them hope. Did you know that 90% of Americans support organ and tissue donation, but only 30% know the steps that they need to take to become a registered donor? Don’t assume that you are in that 30%!! Every state has different rules and essential steps you have to take in order to be a registered donor. There very well may be more to it than signing your license and telling your family! Please. Go to this site and click on your state to find out more: donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/ Educate yourself about organ and tissue donation and what you need to do to be a registered donor. It is never too soon to make this decision. (If you do not live in America and have a link that I can post that is specific to your country, please post it in the comments)! By all means possible, please, feel free to blog this photo and story, pass along the link to your friends and family, or share it on twitter and facebook. Favorite and comment so that this photo can get more exposure.Please, tell everyone you know about organ and tissue donation and help them take the steps they need to take to become a registered donor. Tell them that just ONE organ and tissue donor can help up to 50 people! Tell them that ALL major religions support organ and tissue donation. Tell them, about Jennie.Jennie didn’t get the lungs she needed. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t be a part of her miracle and legacy. I am 100% certain that I will be an organ and tissue donor when I die. Are you?

Since knowing Jenny and Selena I signed up to recycle myself. Please think about donating your organs, I miss my friend Jenny. Those cranes are so beautiful, but so sad. And my very talented friend Sungazing also put together this amazing little video. Please click over and enjoy http://www.flickr.com/photos/sungazing/3367153398/