Heart Recipient Chooses: Celebrate Life!
When Blue Springs attorney David Jeter
and his wife, Lydia, learned that he needed a
heart transplant, he began a journey of waiting
and reflection. Dave took stock of his many
friends and family. Then, during the July
fourth weekend, the news came in a midnight
phone call.
Dave and Lydia immediately headed to
St. Louis for his life-saving heart transplant. But they had to be there by
five in the morning. Thinking clearly, Dave called the highway patrol to
check for road blocks and accidents on I-70. By noon the next day, his son
had arrived from New York, his daughter and family from Kansas City were
gathered around him… and he had a new heart.
Of course, that is only part of the story. When you have an out of town
transplant, there are tiresome logistics – lodging, transportation, making
scheduled appointments and arranging for rehabilitation at home. But
those tasks were overshadowed by a higher calling. The Jeters felt compelled to
honor the talents of the medical staff and the generosity of the donor family, in
addition to the love and support received from many friends.
They chose to express their gratitude this fall by hosting a “Gift of Life Celebration”
service at Second Presbyterian Church. Dave and Lydia invited friends, family, the
many who helped them through the long months of waiting and new acquaintances
from the transplant community. Nearly 250 people joined the celebration officiated
by Dr. Edward Thompson, head pastor. Dr. William Reed, Chair of Cardiovascular
Diseases, University of Kansas Medical Center, spoke at the service and shared the
miracle he observes when a newly transplanted heart begins beating, “…as if saying I
want to live! I want to live!”
Others participating in the service were Gift of Life board member Andy Heath, a living donor, and transplant
recipient Luke Harbur singing, “And the Gift Goes On”. Executive Director Keith Anderson, asked everyone present to
have a discussion with their families and express their wishes regarding organ and tissue donation.
In a beautiful twist of irony, the Jeters gathered prior to the service for family pictures at the Gift of Life Fountain
on the grounds of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. The sculpture “Joie de Vivre” as the center piece of the
fountain was donated by Gift of Life Founders, Nate and Kim Harbur, to honor young Aaron Drake, the donor for
their son Luke, and son of Board President Kris Drake. The simple message heard that night was sung by Andy
and Luke…“And the Gift Goes On.”
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