Fourth Quarter: LifeQuest Ambassadors of the Month – LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services

Throughout 2020, LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services has recognized Ambassadors of the Month to bring more attention to those who generously volunteer much of their time to organ donation outreach. In this blog, we showcase our three ambassadors for the fourth quarter and ask each of them questions related to their time volunteering.

October Ambassador of the Month: Shechinah Butler

1. What caused you to become an ambassador?

“I am becoming more comfortable to share my story as a way to inspire others. Being an African American, it’s not a topic thoroughly discussed, and I can possibly be the person to give a sense of comfort that it’s okay to talk about.”

2. Why do you find being an ambassador important?

“Being an ambassador allows me to connect with others who share the same experience, as well as those who are beginning their own journey.”

3. What do you enjoy about volunteering?

“I have always enjoyed volunteering and serving others in the community in different aspects of life.“

4. Why would you encourage others to become LifeQuest ambassadors?

“Being a LifeQuest ambassador allows us to be living testimony to others. When you can tell your story, it gives them a chance to see that things are possible, and that is with any situation.”

5. Why do you encourage others to register as organ donors?

“I always inform others that I am not trying to make them become an organ donor, but I always encourage them to research the option of becoming one. Being able to help someone is a blessing not only to the person you are helping, but to you as well.”

November Ambassador of the Month: Rosetta Hylton-Anderson

1. What caused you to become an ambassador?

“Working as a nurse, I came in contact with people who lost their lives because they needed an organ transplant. As an African American, I knew organ donation wasn’t popular with Blacks. I became interested in promoting the truth.”

Rosetta helped organize National Minority Donor Awareness Month in Quincy.

2. Why do you find being an ambassador important?

“Once, a young man was involved in a motorcycle accident in the Turks and Caicos. He was flown to the hospital where I worked in Coral Gables. I met his parents and asked them if they would donate his organs. They said, yes. I later flew to the islands where his parents met the man who received their son’s organs. During the reunion, the donor’s little girl told the recipient that they would be friends forever because he had her daddy’s organs.”

3. What do you enjoy about volunteering?

“My favorite part is when I am able to see a donor family and a recipient family come together. When families meet, they usually become close.”

4. Why would you encourage others to become LifeQuest ambassadors?

“Because it is the right thing to do. I would encourage others to volunteer because, if you have nothing else that makes you feel great about your life, doing this gives you something to be proud of. Being able to help save lives is big and something to feel good about.”

5. Why do you encourage others to register as organ donors?

“It takes you to the core of your spirituality. If you are a Christian and you know He arose to give you life, why would you not give life to someone else if given the chance? It doesn’t matter if you are Baptist, Catholic or whatever. Anyone can feel good about doing that. It’s just real. I don’t care who you are. Being an organ donor takes you right where you need to be.”

December Ambassador of the Month: Katie Walton

Katie sharing her donation story at Tribute to Life.

1. What caused you to become an ambassador?

“As a multi-organ transplant recipient, I became acutely aware of the shortage of available organs for transplantation. Having a deep sense of gratitude for my Gift of Life, I consider it my part to give back and benefit the lives of others. Volunteering as an ambassador is one of the ways I thank and honor my donor and donor family and support the message of Donate Life, saving lives through organ and tissue donation.”

2. Why do you find being an ambassador important?

“Any and all opportunities to thank my donor and to increase organ, eye and tissue donation are important. The need for healthy organs is great and quantity is few. Perhaps the greatest benefit is the reason we all do it in the first place; it makes a difference. As a recipient, I find value in that people can ‘see’ a healthy active person, alive and standing before them ONLY through the generosity of an organ donor, usually a complete stranger, and by the grace of God. It’s reassuring to see, proof positive, that you can make a difference.”

3. What do you enjoy about volunteering?

“First, sharing the message of Donate Life and sharing my journey, hoping that others might realize the difference they can make through organ, eye and tissue donation. Second, meeting and interacting with the people. Not only reaching out to motivate others, but meeting fellow recipients with whom I enjoy teaming up with to volunteer, the donor family members, and professionals I have met in the field of transplantation. I have not only gained new friendships but a wealth of knowledge in the process.”

4. Why would you encourage others to become LifeQuest ambassadors?

“Volunteering as a LIfeQuest Ambassador is a powerful way to make a difference, help others, and in this case, save lives. Simply put, as an ambassador you impact not only your life but the lives of those you volunteer with and those whose lives benefit from your efforts.”

5. Why do you encourage others to register as organ donors?

“Organ donation saves and enhances lives. It has the pebble dropped in a brook effect, the ripples radiate far. Donation is not just about what it can do for an individual but for a family and the community. It is a humanitarian effort, an act of kindness, and the last best gift a person can give.”