Area Family Doubly Touched By Gift Of Life

Nearly 100,000 people in America are awaiting an organ transplant and about  17 die every  day without receiving one.  April is  National Donate Life month.

As part of the observance,  an Ebensburg man who has  a unique experience with the issue  spoke  to nurses at Altoona Regional Health System. One of Dino Persio's sons donated a kidney to another son, who had developed kidney problems due to diabetes. Then, Dino himself  received a donor liver when he suddenly became ill with severe hepatitis.

Dino said he and his family have developed a close relationship with his donor's family.  "When I meet the donor's mother, it's amazing how she sees him and how close we are because of that very thing.  Her son lives through me,"  Dino explained.

He says while it's a good idea to sign up to be an organ donor when you renew your driver's license, it's also improtant to make sure your family knows that you feel strongly about giving the gift of ilfe.

For more information on organ donation, go here or here.