Story Published: Mar 30, 2010 at 8:02 PM MDT
Story Updated: Mar 30, 2010 at 8:19 PM MDT
Trever Tremayne from Idaho Falls, died almost three years ago. Long before he passed, he chose to be an organ donor. Years later, his parents are saying the lives he saved through giving, is in a way, how he is living on.
"I'm very grateful for Trevor's choice to be a donor. And for his gift that he is given to me," Jolene Hansen said. For years Jolene she has spent nearly 12 hours a week, every week, at the Gem State Dialysis Center.
"You're energy is all drained and you just don't feel good and you're spending all your time hooked up to a machine," Hansen explained.
But almost three years ago, she received a gift from Trever Tremayne, his kidney. This changed her life.
"I feel like basically I have my life back. Now I can go be apart of the activities with my family," Hansen said.
Trever's mother, Trina Sharpe, says it was just his personality to be a donor.
"Trever was a do something for everybody all the time kind of person," she said.
Tuesday, Sharpe was given a portrait of Trever that was displayed on the Donate Life Float in the 2010 Rose Parade. The floragraph signifies the difference Trever's decision made in the lives of others.
Nationwide, more than 106,000 people are on the waiting list for an organ transplant, but there are only about 28,000 who receive organ transplants a year. The Hansen Family says they're very fortunate to have been given the gift that will keep on giving.
If you are interested in learning more about organ and tissue donations visit http://www.yesidaho.org/
Some of the common misconceptions or myths are:
1. Many think that there religion does not allow organ donations.
2. Some think doctors will not try as hard to save their life if they are an organ donor.
3. People think that they are not qualified to be an organ donor.
Dixie Madsen from Intermountain Donor Services said ways to clear up the misconceptions are: talk with your religious leaders. Talk with your doctor about whether you can be a donor. More often than not you can.