Cenla families remember loved ones who helped others through organ donations

Ken Mason lost his son almost 20 years ago, Christmas 2003, and he's still in touch with the family of a Zachary man who received both of Dustin Mason's lungs.

Mason was one of the family members who added an ornament to the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency's (LOPA) Tree of Life in the South Tower lobby at Rapides Regional Medical Center on Thursday morning. Some people spoke about their loved ones before hanging the ornaments, and Mason was one of them.

He hung ornaments with his son's photo, as well as one with a photo of Jackie Burns, the organ recipient who lived for another 18 years. Mason said Burns was able to see his grandsons be born and grow up, coaching them in baseball, which he loved.

Burns died a few years ago, but Mason said the families remain in touch.

"It hurts, but we'll get by," he said.

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One woman cried as she readied to hang a red cardinal ornament on the tree in memory of her husband. She referred to how many people believe seeing a cardinal is a sign that their dead loved ones remain with them in spirit.

"We always believed in the cardinals coming to visit and so, hopefully I'll get a visit this holiday, and I hope all of you do," she said. "I had no idea there would be this much support here, and I know you all are hurting as much as I am. But I am grateful to see all you here."

A grandmother of Pineville resident Skyler Delaney, who died in May, said she didn't realize how hard the tree ceremony would be, but said she was grateful for LOPA.

"We have amazing memories, and I'm so thankful for every memory we have," she said. "It is overwhelming to see how many lives have been saved through LOPA and through the sacrifice that we've all given."

Also placing an ornament on the tree were Douglas and Jan Schmitt, who lost their daughter Alexandra just two months ago in a car crash. After it became apparent that Alexandra wouldn't recover, the family contacted LOPA — and learned she had updated her registration just before her February birthday.

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She donated both organs and tissues to those needing them and to researchers. The family has established a foundation, Lex's Learning Foundation, in her honor.

People who wish to register as organ donors can do so in three ways:

• In person at a state Office of Motor Vehicles or public tag agency when getting a driver's license or identification card.

• Through the Louisiana Donor Registry at https://registry.donatelifela.org.

• Through the LA Wallet app.

Larabee Thompson is LOPA's family advocate at Rapides and works with families who are losing their loved ones and who might want to consider organ donation. It's an ordeal she endured 16 years ago when she lost her own son.

She said she tells them she can't imagine what they are going through because everyone's experience is different.

"But at least I have some connection to the good that donation can do later down the road, the ways it can bring hope and comfort down the road."

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: 'Overwhelming': Families remember loved ones by decorating donor tree