Jack Blong Shares His Dragonfly Transplant Fund Story

"A few years ago while at a backyard cookout a good friend of mine was asked how long it took him to smoke the pork. He responded in his southern drawl ‘from start to beginning it took me four hours “.  While this is a horrible use of the English language it does do a good job of describing the transplant process. You start the process as a sick person becoming a sicker person every day you remain on the list waiting for your new life to begin.

I witnessed this with my Aunt Deb Brown.  Once she went on the list the waiting began. Waiting for her to be sick enough to get a transplant, waiting for the matching donor, and thankfully waiting for hours at the hospital for the procedure to be done. I have a great appreciation for the need for a dedicated room at UIHC after walking the entire complex with Ed while waiting for news.

Two days after surgery I visited Deb in the hospital and she had completely transformed. she was alert and smiling with the color back in her face.

I am very proud of the way my uncle and aunt Ed and Deb are using their new beginning in life to give back to others.  Whether it is the dedicated room or transplant awareness, the Dragonfly Fund is a charity I will continue to support and be involved with in the future." - Jack Blong