What does it mean to be an organ donor? That was the question discussed by presenters Kim Harbur and Debra Callaway during their presentation to Health students on Wednesday, Sept. 19 during Silver 3. Harbur founded the organization The Gift of Life after her son Luke Harbur received a liver transplant at 11 months of age. Harbur now speaks to over 90 high schools in the Kansas City area about organ donation.
“[After we present], I know we have made a difference,” Harbur said. “Our work lasts past the hour that we’re there.”
Harbur was approached almost eight years ago by Health teacher Amy McClure about speaking to her classes. Since then, she has returned every semester to share the presentation with students.
“[The presentation] is a good awareness piece,” McClure said. “Kim [Harbur] does a fantastic job of presenting the information to the kids.”
For sophomore Greyson Jenista, the presentation did not change his mind about being an organ donor. Instead, he said it reassured his decision.
“I learned that [by donating] you could possibly save 58 lives,” Jenista said. “It makes you think that your life is about more than just you.”