April is National Donate Life Month
This April, join Effie’s Homemade in recognizing National Donate Life Month.
Organ donation is a cause that is meaningful to those of us at Effie’s, especially our founders, Joan and Irene, whose friends and loved ones have traveled both the recipient and life-saving donor paths of organ transplant. Their journeys have been heart-wrenching, inspirational, and downright courageous.
Two years ago, we told you about our dear friend, 25-year-old Greer Robert Viau, who was in urgent need of a kidney after learning at a routine physical that he was in Stage 3 of Chronic Kidney Disease. In August 2023, Greer was notified that he had an altruistic donor, a married mother of three from Bangor Maine who was motivated to help when she saw Greer’s story on social media through a mutual friend.
Greer’s recuperation has been slow and steady, and he has a lifetime of health vigilance, doctor visits, and daily medications ahead, but today he is feeling great, has resumed physical activities, and returned to work in fall 2024 as a senior computer science engineer.
Greer and his family had the honor of meeting their donor—their “angel on earth”—the bond is one they will nurture for life, always staying in touch and getting together often to celebrate life and their deep personal connection.
Beautiful, miraculous stories like Greer's are possible. To increase awareness about organ donation among our many followers and friends, we’ll be sharing information through social media, e-mails, and these links that contain information about life-saving opportunities.
We also encourage people to take a moment to join the tissue, eye, and organ donor registration.
Organ Donor Registry
The soon-to-be released documentary Abundant brings viewers into the lives, struggles, and triumphs of people and families in the organ donation community. Even the preview is beautifully inspiring.
In the next few weeks and throughout the year on national days of observance, we will reach out with stories and updates, and we hope you will, in turn, share our posts and share your stories.