Are you an organ donor? It's one of the most important things we all need to do. And it's simple. When you either get your first driver's license or renew your current one at the Escambia County Judge of Probate's office, among a few other things you will be asked two questions: Do you want to register to vote and do you want to be an organ donor?
You can register to vote and you can become an organ donor and a little red heart will appear on your license to let first responders and doctors know you are willing to help others when you die.
We bring this up now after learning that 26-year old Austin Collins of Brewton died Saturday due to rejection complications associated with a heart transplant he received in 2010.
Without that heart, we would have published Austin's obituary eight years ago. It was Austin's wishes that when he died that he would be able to pass on anything and everything inside or outside his body that could help another person live a productive life.
Austin Collins may be dead, but parts of him have probably already saved lives of others or helped restore the sight to those who couldn't see.
Austin got a second chance at life due to someone agreeing to be an organ donor; Austin wanted to pass that on to others.
When we talked to his mother this week, she said it was Austin's decision to become an organ donor because he wanted to help others.
If you are not an organ donor, you need to become one. We know that Austin's generosity, like the generosity he received with a new heart, will help save the life of someone else.
We hope Austin can set an example for the rest of us and we all become organ donors. Your generosity will help many other people.
