By Janine Kock, Observer Editor & Publisher
In the words of Chief Carroll County Deputy Dave Potthoff, a "senseless tragedy" occurred in our area two weeks ago. It's not the first time that an area teenager has died in an accident; it's not the first time an incident involving alcohol has happened.

But this time, for many of us, it's different. It's not just some stranger somewhere who has died. This is a relative of many people in our community, a toddler who once lived here, a friend to our kids, a well-known and dedicated 4-H'er... It makes all of us stop and think how we would react if we were the parents to receive that dreaded phone call in the middle of the night.

So, what positive end can possibly come from this tragedy?

First of all, hopefully losing a friend will make the kids of our communities stop and do some soul searching. Perhaps attitudes and behaviors will change. Perhaps some of our teens will realize how a night of fun can so quickly turn into tragedy, how decisions made without thought can turn life-changing.

Secondly, hopefully, with the cooperation of others involved that night, the adults who sold the beer to the kids having the party will be caught and punished. Let's set an example so others over 21 will think twice before they make the decision to cooperate with minors seeking someone to purchase alcohol for them.

But finally, and most importantly, Bart, unbeknownst to his parents, had made the decision to label himself as an organ donor on his driver's license. Because of that decision and with the consent of his parents that fateful night, Bart is now helping to give a better life to others who have received the gift of organs such as his eyes and his heart valves. The Iowa Donor Network has presented Bart's parents with a "Gift of Life" donor medal in remembrance of the gift that Bart has given others. The medal can be kept by the family as a keepsake or placed on Bart's cemetery monument to signify his gift.

What better way for all of us to act in Bart's memory than by making a similar gift ourselves?

Today, any person of any age can be considered for organ and/or tissue donation. Eyes/corneas, lung, hearts, liver, kidneys, pancreas, fascia, skin, cartilage/tendons, bones and small intestines can all be donated, as well as brain tissue for research going on concerning autism. According to the official U.S. Government web site for organ donation and transplantation, each day about 70 people receive an organ transplant, but another 16 on the waiting list die because not enough organs are available.

There is such a critical need for organs in the U.S., the criteria for donation are changing constantly. No one should exclude him/herself from the possibility of donating on the basis of age or medical history. Only a positive HIV test will rule you out for donation.

The "yes" on your driver's license is a legal consent for a donation for an organ transplant, but for tissue and eye donation or for research, a person must also sign on to the Iowa Donor Registry. It is very important that you talk to your family members about organ and tissue donation so that they know your wishes. Even if you've signed something, your family may be asked to give consent before donation can occur.

Would you like to give the gift of life to others at the time of your death? Go to the following web sites for preliminary information: www.shareyourlife.org, www.iowadonornetwork.org, www.shareyourlife.org.

There is now an instructional package for high schools which has been created to help educate the nation's youth about the importance of organ and tissue donation and the need to make an informed decision about whether to be a donor and share their donation wishes with their families. We should all encourage our local schools to, seek out such information and help our kids make a difference. Visit www.organdonor.gov or contact the Division of Transplantation at 301-443-7577 for information about "Decision: Donation - A school Program That Gives the Gift of Life."

The Iowa Donor Registry's web site puts the issue into perspective. It states, "We all want to be remembered - remembered for who we are, what we've accomplished, and the difference we've made. One way to make a difference is to learn the facts about organ and tissue donation and dispel the myths that prevent those in need from obtaining life-saving and life-enhancing transplants. Share your life. Share your decision. Become educated about organ and tissue donations. Discuss it with your family: Leave a legacy."

No one wants to lose a loved one like the Hinners family did. But, they can be comforted in years to come, knowing that Bart made the right decision by giving the gift of life to others.