The crowd cheered as 3-year-old Liam Gregory quickly toddled his way into his father's embrace last night during halftime of the Three Rivers College men's basketball game. Gregory's dad, Laramy, had just finished speaking about how thankful he is for the renewed health of his little boy after a heart transplant on Christmas Day 2015. He said his son is a little shy and was sitting with his mother on the bleachers, when all of a sudden, after a clear burst of bravery, the little boy made his way to center court.
Representatives from Mid-America Transplant and State Rep. Steve Cookson stood beside the Gregorys. Cookson announced on the Missouri House of Representatives floor in April that he is awaiting a lifesaving liver transplant. He offered his own testimony about the importance of organ donation. The group had come together to encourage game attendees to become registered organ donors.
"Organ donation gave our family our little boy back and gave him a second chance at life," Laramy Gregory said.
Just before his second birthday, Gregory was rushed to a St. Louis hospital and eventually diagnosed with heart failure. After 73 days on the transplant list, the little boy received a new heart on behalf of a donor.
"At nine o'clock in the morning, I watched his heart come in off the ambulance," Laramy Gregory said. "It was a very long journey to recovery, but I want to thank our donor family and I want to thank the whole community for supporting us."
Laramy Gregory said his little boy is finally getting to do things other almost-4-year-olds get to do. He watches Paw Patrol on Nickelodeon and recently began attending day care three days a week.
"Things have been so much better," said Jessica Gregory, Liam's mother. "He can run and play and participate now without being left behind."
"I can jump," Gregory said, perched in his mother's arms, "and I splish-splash (in the bathtub)."
Cookson focused his speech on the impact organ donors have on families, citing the Gregorys as a prime example of how the gift of life can be granted through loss.
"At the present time, there are 115,000 people on the list waiting to receive organs, and I am one of those people," he said. "But I didn't come here to talk to you folks about myself."
Cookson asked the crowd to imagine what it would be like if someone close to them was in need of an organ donation.
"Imagine if you had a spouse, a child, or a grandchild whose whole life relied on an organ," he said. "You'd be eternally grateful. To most people, they would be heroes. Heroes that you'll never get to meet or know."
Cookson asked the crowd to consider becoming donors, and added "You're never too old."
Justin Phelps, corporate communications specialist for Mid-America Transplant, said there are two sides to organ donation.
"On one hand, it's incredibly sad. It means someone has died. A family has experienced a great loss," said Phelps, who then explained in turn, it means someone else gets to live and continue to experience life to the best of their ability.
Phelps said many of Mid-America's donor families find solace in knowing their loved one saved the life of another.
"Knowing their loved one is living on in someone else, giving that person a second chance can be comforting," he said.
Cookson said there are a few misconceptions about organ donation he hopes to clear up. He said some people worry if they become donors, life-saving efforts will not be exhausted in case of emergency.
"That's simply not true," Cookson said. "Doctors will continue to do whatever it takes to save someone, regardless of their status as a donor."
According to information provided by Mid-America Transplant, 80 percent of patients on the list are awaiting a kidney, 13 percent need a liver, and 8,000 people die each year because organ donations are not received in time.
Phelps said those interested in becoming an organ, eye and tissue donor should talk with their families about their wishes. They then can register online at midamericantransplant.org. Phelps said organ donation can be a sensitive topic that gets many opinions for and against the issue, so clarity among family is key.
"The families are heavily involved during this process," Phelps said. "So it's important they know your stance."
Missouri residents can also sign up to become organ donors online or in person at the local Missouri Dept. of Revenue office, or online at missouriorgandonor.com, and organdonor.gov.