In September of 2002, one of our close friends passed away. Her name was Allison Barkyoumb and she was just 15 years old. Allison was born with a heart problem - a valve that was too small and only had a 25% chance of living. Throughout her life she would have to go through major operations several times. She had to go to the Boston Children's Hospital three times for open heart surgery. Allison was only 6 months old when she had her first open heart surgery. She also had several ballooning surgeries in hope to enlarge her valve. Allison knew that some day her valve would have to be replaced but we didn't know that it would be this soon. On August 9th, 2002, Allison went into her 8th surgery. She would be having valve surgery. When Allison told everyone that she would be going and
having valve surgery people assumed that it would be okay, just like every other time. They were wrong. This time it didn't go okay. Through weeks of problems and complications the doctors decided that Allison would need a new heart. Unfortunately the heart never came. Allison had a brain hemorrhage before she could receive one. She passed away on the 12th of September and was taken off life support the next day.
You would never know Allison had a heart problem just by looking at her. She was full of life. No matter where you were she always had optimistic energy. Those who were lucky enough to get to know Allison well knew that she was the strongest person we have ever met. Whenever she had to go for surgery she was very strong and she barely ever shed a tear. Even though she had so many unfair things happen to her, she never once complained and was always appreciative of everything. She brought out the best in everyone. Allison could take any boring situation and turn it into a great time. In this world today there are so many people that judge others just because of how they look or may seem to be. Allison wasn't like that, and taught us that there is more to a person than what is shown on the outside. People who knew Allison knew that she was an amazing person; she was caring, nice, funny, brave, outgoing and so much more. She was everything you could want in a friend.
Allison waited for a heart for 3½ weeks, but unfortunately one never came. We found it very sad, shocking and unacceptable that with her being in a 2,000 mile radius and being at the top of the donor list, not one person who passed was a donor. Allison was a donor but unfortunately her organs weren't healthy enough.
From this experience we learned that many people are unaware of the importance of donating their organs. We want to raise the awareness by telling people our story and encouraging them to become donors. That's why we started EarthAngels.