by Natalie Sparacio
WAKE UP WISCONSIN (WAOW)-- The 4th annual "Race for Life Scavenger Hunt" held by the Donate Life committee is set for April 24th at the Rose Garden in Wausau.
Registration is at noon, and the scavenger hunt is from 1 to 5 p.m.
For more info, log onto: WWW.NCWDONATELIFE.ORG
Speaking from personal experience, the past 8 months have been a whirlwind of unexpected ups and downs for my family.
Through that time, my 20 year old cousin Bill became a hero to all of us, and touched our lives in ways we may have never thought anyone could, as he waited months for a heart and kidney transplant.
We each have our own memories, feelings, and thoughts about it all, but there's one common thread. We all believe in the importance of organ donation and honoring donor families, both recipients and those who graciously decide to give the gift of life after the pass.
Because of this, we hold the "Scavenger Hunt".
Ironically, this year's big event lands on Bill's 21st birthday, Saturday, April 24th.
Evening news anchor, Bryon Graff and I will be MC'ing the event for the third year in a row, and I plan to create a video about Bill and Doogie's experience in the past year. As you may remember, Doogie is a 19 year old from Athens, who received a liver transplant a week after Bill... Doogie's family reached out to my family, as we waited.
I am going to create a video about their journey,and let them both speak about what this past year has been like for them, and what it feels like to receive a 2nd chance at life.
This is a celebration, but also a reminder of the families who have lost a loved one and decided to donate. You'll hear many stories and talk with people face to face who have experienced loss. You'll see donor and recipient families, sitting at the SAME table eating dinner.
If you are interested please let me know and email me as soon as you can.
Also, if you are not interested in racing, that is fine, just let me know so we don't count you for that. They ask each individual to pay $35 to race... $15 for just dinner. The goal is to raise pledges and money for the Donate Life organization.
If you can't attend, and are interested in donating to the cause, please let me know.
If you have any questions or want to help volunteer, feel free to shoot me an email at nsparacio@waow.com or give me a call at my work number: (715) 843-9211.
Thanks again to all the viewers who sent their get well wishes and prayers to my cousin and to Doogie. Your compassion is something I will never forget.
Sincerely, Natalie Sparacio