It was 17 year-old in Huntington, New York preparing to become a Navy SEAL that saved my son's life before Jacob was even conceived. The story of how he did this is both tragic and inspiring.
February 2008:
Marc Dawson is a lifeguard at the Huntington YMCA pool. He is aspiring to serve his country by becoming a Navy SEAL. He is testing himself by holding his breath underwater. He blacks out and starts to drown. By the time he is pulled from the water he has suffered severe brain damage. Marc Dawson is gone. His parents, Ray and Dianne, are confronted with the option of donating his organs. At first they are horrified but later decide to turn this tragedy into salvation for a select few. Marc's heart is transplanted into the chest of a dying doctor.
Doctor Charles Kleinman was considered to be the Father of perinatal cardiology and was suffering from a heart that was ravaged from earlier cancer treatments. He received Marc's heart only hours away from death. Dr. Kleinman, while only part of a great staff at Children's Hospital of New York, was a very special man to his patients and their parents. He had a bedside manner that made you feel better just by talking to him. He always had a kind word or two. Even though he was one of the most highly regarded doctors in his field, he was never arrogant about it. He really made you feel special. He was a man that saved children's lives for a living - and he loved his job. If it were not for Dr. Kleinman, Jacob may not have made it into this world.
On October 11, 2011, Charlie Kleinman lost the battle with his health. The world lost a great man. In the short amount of time that Dr. Kleinman and Marc were united, many childrens' lives were affected and many families benefitted. This is how Marc Dawson, 17, from Huntington, New York helped save my son's life.
To Charlie and Marc - Yor legacy will live on forever in the children you have helped save and the children that they will have themselves. There is no greater task than that of helping children. Rest in peace.
To Ray and Dianne - No parent should have to bury a child. Your selflessness and insight may have save the lives of dozens of babies and children. My son, Jacob, is one of the many babies that were saved. Thank you.
To the staff at CHONY - you know who you are - Dr. Kleinman is not the only angel in the hospital is he? Thank you for your warmth, courtesy and professionalism. You made a huge, sterile, New York hospital a friendly and welcome place.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Missing post
Yesterday I wrote a post regarding my son's doctor and his transplant donor. I don't know what happened to it but I am going to try and recreate it. I think the Android Blogger app has a few bugs in it. I know a couple of people saw the post before it vanished but here we go again.
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