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Luke, Aaron and The Gift of Life
When Nate and Kim Harbur’s son, Luke, needed a pediatric
liver transplant nine years ago, the shortage of available organs
and lack of awareness became apparent. During this time, Melody
and Kris Drake lost their eight year old son, Aaron, due to a tragic
allergic reaction while camping in the Ozarks. Luke received Aaron’s
liver and now lives a full life as a happy ten year old.
From their grief and out of their faith, the Drakes made the life-saving
decision to donate Aaron’s organs. Aaron’s father,
Kris Drake, later said, "We felt as a family that if we could
save other parents and grandparents the heartache of losing a child
or relative by donating Aaron’s organs, then that is what
we should do." They knew that they had something valuable
to share with other families in need. Aaron’s heart, kidneys,
and eyes were donated to other people who were waiting for transplants
in the Midwest. Kris and Melody Drake were told about Luke’s
liver failure by a pastor at their church. By then, Luke had moved
up on the list and tested for a match, so the Drake’s were
able to make a direct donation.
Within hours, Luke received a life-saving liver transplant at
the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, in
collaboration with the University of Kansas Medical Center Liver
Transplant Program. Luke will need to be regularly monitored for
the rest of his life, but after overcoming several medical hurdles,
his prognosis for a happy life is good. |
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