Every 10 minutes a new person is added to the national transplant waiting list. Every day, 20 people die because they didn't receive their gift of life in time.
I am participating in the Give Life 5k in honor of my dad, Michael Askren, who received a double lung transplant in April 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. I was in 5th grade when my dad got the call that there was a match and that he needed to get to Iowa City as soon as possible. I still remember the whirlwind of emotions being picked up from school and waiting for the news that the surgery was successful.
With extremely broken hearts, we said goodbye to our favorite guy on December 22, 2022. He was the rock of our family and to know him was to love him. He was the first to step up and would do anything for anyone. We miss him beyond words and I’d do anything to hear his voice and give him one more hug.
He always put his family first and it’s been hard not having him here for the purchase of our first home, his first grandkid being born in just a couple of months, and missing all of life’s daily things that he made sure he was apart of.
Because of his gracious donor and their family, we were able to get an extra 13 years with our best friend and we will forever be grateful. He was able to be at my brother and I’s college graduation, both of our weddings, and go on many trips with my mom.
We will forever be so grateful and thankful for his donor, their family, and the incredible medical team he had because it gave us an extra time with our favorite guy. There will never be enough words to express how truly grateful we are.
Please consider being a donor, it’s the best gift you could give someone❤
Please help me reach my fundraising goal to support an organization that is important to me. I sincerely appreciate your help in saving and transforming lives!
Dash to Honor. Dash to Give Hope. Dash to Heal.
