National Donor Sabbath: Marcia Rudat’s Story

Archbald, PA resident, Marcia Rudat, understands organ donation and transplantation.  She is both the wife of a donor and the mother of an organ transplant recipient.  Because of this connection, she decided to volunteer with Gift of Life Donor Program and has become an advocate for donation – educating individuals and encouraging them to register as organ and tissue donors.

As a member of Gift of Life’s Northeast PA Coalition for Organ and Tissue Donation, Marcia is the cornerstone of change and enthusiasm for Gift of Life and its mission to save lives.  Nearly 20 years ago, Marcia lost her husband, David, due to complications from Polycystic Kidney Disease.  She said that David was a committed 4^th grade teacher who was very active in his local church, running youth groups and serving as a layman for a year.

As a religious Lutheran woman who believes in helping others, Marcia knew that donation was the right thing to do when her husband passed away.  David was able to donate his tissues and enhanced the lives of numerous others because of his and his family’s generosity.  David died during Holy Week, and was buried on Good Friday.  Marcia said, “I still was at church on Easter Sunday because no matter how much I was grieving, I got a lot of comfort from the word of God.  I grew up going to Sunday school and going to vacation bible school, and all of those bible verses that I learned and memorized as a child came back to me after my husband died.  I relied on them to get me through.”

Marcia came face to face with fear and near loss a second time many years later, when her son Jeff, had kidney failure.  “I am a great believer in coming to God with everything in life – the good and the bad.  My faith has given me the strength to get through so many things.” she said.  Soon after being listed for a kidney transplant, Jeff was blessed and became a part of a Living Donor Kidney Exchange.  A family friend and Marcia’s co-worker, Monica, wanted to donate her kidney to Jeff, but she was not a match, which is why they entered the exchange.  At 43, Jeff received the gift of life.

Marcia’s belief in both God and organ and tissue donation come together in November during National Donor Sabbath, which is held the second weekend of November.  Observed annually, NDS seeks to educate faith-based communities about the need for organ, eye and tissue donors. This national initiative partners with faith leaders, houses of worship and faith-based organizations to educate its congregations about the critical need for donors.  For years, Marcia has told her story her church and to others – sharing the life-saving benefits of donation and the pride that she has knowing that her husband’s legacy is one of selflessness.

One of the most common misconceptions about registering as an organ donor is that one’s religion does not support it.  In fact, all major religions support organ donation. Unfortunately today, there are still many untrue myths that prevent individuals from registering.  Sadly, there are nearly 5,300 people in our region – and more than 115,000 nationally – whose lives depend on the kindness of strangers to make a choice that will give them a second chance at life.  No final act is more heartfelt or caring than donating ones’ organs.  It shows an individual’s compassion for others, and can change lives forever.