Kindness saved Mike Bramhall and Jude Grace’s lives.

That kindness came from strangers, someone who had checked a box on their driver’s license application, committing to giving a part of their body to help someone in need after their own death. Or from family members letting go of a loved one, determined to turn a tragic situation into something good. That kindness came from an organ donor.

 

Mike and Jude both received double lung transplants. Mike is recovering and eager to return to his post as a volunteer firefighter for Ralston fire. Nearly a year after his transplant, Jude is a leading the life of a happy 2 year old, getting ready to celebrate his third birthday.

 

February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. In celebration of the kindness they’ve received, Mike, Jude and his family, as well as transplant recipients in Lincoln, Hastings, Grand Island, Kearney and Cozad, along with the employees of Nebraska Organ Recovery, will give back by performing random acts of kindness in their communities.

 

“Our #countonkindness campaign is a way to demonstrate the kindness and generosity of organ, tissue and eye donors,” said Kara Cordell, Marketing Coordinator for Nebraska Organ Recovery.” Transplant recipients, and those of us that work in donation every day, know there is simply nothing nicer you can do for someone else than giving them a second chance at life. By getting out in our communities and buying coffee for a stranger or carrying someone’s groceries to their car, we have the opportunity to talk about donation and let people know that registering to be a donor is the easiest way you can help others.”

 

The #countonkindess campaign also kicks off Nebraska Organ Recovery’s 40th anniversary celebration. “We’re excited to say thanks to Nebraska’s donors by giving back through random acts of kindness,” said Kyle Herber, President and CEO of Nebraska Organ Recovery. Each employee will receive $40 to give back to the community through acts of kindness. “We’re looking forward to seeing how creative our employees get with their money and hope that our simple message of kindness will encourage others to reciprocate and register to be donors.”

 

To learn more about the campaign, or to register as an organ, tissue and eye donor, visit www.countonkindness.com.

 

About Nebraska Organ Recovery

Nebraska Organ Recovery is the federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa. Formed in 1977, Nebraska Organ Recovery is a not-for-profit agency that is independent of any hospital or transplant center. Nebraska Organ Recovery is responsible for the evaluation, recovery, preservation, coordination, and distribution of all organs as well as the recovery of bone, tendon, heart valves, and connective tissue for transplantation. Additionally, Nebraska Organ Recovery provides public and professional education regarding donation throughout the state and Pottawattamie County, IA.