Tue, April 14, 2009 - 7:00:06

Donate Your Life with the Power of Small

Last week on the SMALL Blog, we celebrated the first week of Financial Literacy Month by talking about how you can use THE POWER OF SMALL to help you save money.  But, did you know that April is also National Donate Life month?  Established in 2003, National Donate Life Month raises awareness about the importance of becoming an organ donor.  According to OrganDonor.gov, 70 Americans are given a second chance every day by receiving life-saving organ transplants, but even as they are rescued, nearly 20 people die each day because help simply wasn’t there.  Luckily we can all make a difference with one simple act: registering as an organ donor.

When we were writing our new book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we discovered a truly amazing story that brought our attention not only to the extreme need for organ donors in this country, but to the unexpected ways the power of small can work in our own lives.  In this case, it all started with a cup of coffee and a little polite conversation.

Annamarie Ausnes never realized that her morning coffee would come to change her life and neither did the cashier, Sandie Anderson, who took her order each day.  But, through a twist of fate and the power of small, the two became forever linked.  Every morning, Annamarie would head to her local Starbucks, pick up her drink, and make a bit of small talk with the cashier.  What began as a casual, “how is your morning?” or “nice weather, huh?” over the months grew into more personal exchanges about their grandkids, weekend plans, and holiday traditions.  Then one day, Sandie noticed something wasn’t quite right with her favorite customer and instead of ignoring it, she asked one simple question: “Are you okay?”

Sandie would discover that the friendly customer, Annamarie, was suffering from kidney failure and could not find a donor.  Without a transplant, her future was bleak.  Sandie was distraught—although she barely knew Annamarie, she had formed a bond with her through their daily kaffeeklatsch.  She decided she would try to help. 

And help she did!  Sandie turned out to be a match and donated a kidney to Annamarie.  Today Annamarie is not only alive and well, the two women are now dear friends.
Not all of us might think we could make the huge gesture Sandie made by donating her kidney to a virtual stranger, but by simply making small talk, we open ourselves up to new people, new experiences, and new opportunities.  As children, we make friends easily.  We ask for each other’s names, we join in and play with one another.  As we grow older, we close ourselves off, shield ourselves with technology, and forget to acknowledge the people who are right in front of us.

So, as we celebrate National Donate Life Month, let’s not forget to appreciate the people around us.  Ask them how they’re doing: they just might save your life.  And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check that organ donor box next time you renew your license.  You could save someone else’s.

What are you doing to give back during National Donate Life month?  Let us know with a comment, tweet with us @ThePowerOfSmall, or talk with us on Facebook.  You can also email us your small stories to thepowerofsmallblog@gmail.com.

Posted by Linda and Robin