The Tellico Plains Coon Hunters Club recently held a Hunt & Show Event to benefit Tennessee Donor Services, the area’s organ donation agency.  “Our group wanted to hold a benefit this year focusing on the importance of organ donation.  Everyone should be aware that they have the power to be a hero and give the gift of life,” said Brian Miller, president of the club.

According to Miller, more than $400 dollars was raised in donations from the community and entry fees for the Hunt & Show.  The monies raised will be used for educational materials that Tennessee Donor Services uses throughout the year.

“We appreciate the club’s donation to help our organization spread the word about the importance of organ and tissue donation.  Currently 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant, 2,000 of them living right here in Tennessee,” said Dawn Benjamin, public education coordinator for Tennessee Donor Services.  

Those attending the show had the opportunity to meet some people with a connection to a donation.  Three year-old Ethan Matthew of Athens, and his family were there.  Ethan’s life was saved thanks to an organ donor.  He was 17 months old when he had a liver transplant.  His mother Michelle is grateful to the family who gave the gift of life.  “I’d like to be able to show the family what came of it, that while there was a tragedy for that family, something miraculous came of it,” she said.

Vicki Lee, of Cleveland, was also at the event to share her story.  She is a donor mother.  Her son, Alan Hampton was tragically murdered 11 years ago.  Because of Lee and her family’s decision to donate, six people’s lives were saved and more than 25 were helped.  “That was the greatest tribute my son could have given,” said Lee.

Tennessee Donor Services is designated by the federal government as the organ recovery agency for 84 counties in Tennessee and eight counties in Virginia.  For more information on organ and tissue donation and how to sign up to be a donor visit www. donatelifetn.org.