Nearly 6,000 people die annually - or 18 people each day - awaiting an organ transplant. 

I was fortunately not part of that statistic, having my kidney transplant 5 years ago this week.  Has it really been 5 YEARS? Doesn't seem like it, but my cousin Pam made the ultimate selfless act of donating her life-saving kidney on November 8, 2002.  Since that humbling event, things have gone well for both of us.

Another humbling event for me has taken place this week.  Piedmont Hospital, where Pam and I underwent the transplant, has created the Melissa Carter Transplant Fund in honor of the 5-year anniversary of the surgery!

Unreal.  The Melissa Carter Transplant Fund.  After staring at the logo more than once, I still can't believe it.  But Piedmont Hospital saved my life, and my hope is that the Fund will be something that outlives me.

I also hope it continues to grow and offers many others the chance at a longer life  - and help impact the 2,000 people who are currently on the waiting list in Georgia.

So exactly what will the Fund do? Over the next year donations will be collected to build it up, then the funds will be distributed to selected Transplant Candidates and Transplant Nurses.  More specific information will be availlable in 2008.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the Melissa Carter Transplant Fund, should visit Piedmont Hospital online, select “Make a Donation” from the right side of the page, then click on the “Online Donation Form” found on the left-hand side of the page.  In the box that asks the donor to specify the area to which your gift should be directed, type Melissa Carter Transplant Fund.

Thank you, Piedmont, for the honor.  And for you - please be an Organ Donor.

On Facebook? Then join the Melissa Carter Transplant Fund group!