www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com | 47 ways. It is a somber, sacred journey. Sometimes music is played; sometimes voices rise spontaneously when a favorite hymn or significant melody is remembered. Usually, but not always, families follow their loved one’s hospital bed to the end of the hallway to say one more tearful goodbye. For Shana Owens, attending the Honor Walk to publicly say goodbye to Craig, her husband of 20 years, was just too painful. However, other family members and friends were there and a video was made. While Shana has chosen not to watch it, she said viewing it has brought some peace to her children. Knowing Craig’s legacy continues as the hero of the first Honor Walk at the Medical University of South Carolina and his lifesaving liver donation have been comforting to her. On Friday afternoon, Feb. 7, 2020, 17-year-old Keegan Johnson was accompanied by his family on that same heartbreaking, one-way journey. Mom Allison said her son always wanted to be a hero and exactly four months earlier had chosen to be an organ donor on his driver’s license, should the unthinkable happen. Keegan’s wish came true; he was able to save four lives with five of his major organs and to help many others with his valves, tissues and bones. Allison participated in Keegan’s Honor Walk and has found the memory to be comforting in the two years since her oldest son passed. We Are Sharing Hope SC, the South Carolina OPO, handled all the details of Keegan’s Honor Walk at Greenville Hospital. At some point during the walk, someone started singing a hymn that was precious to this family and their beliefs. People clapped and clapped and clapped to honor Keegan and the legacy he was leaving behind. Victoria Dhindsa, SHSC communications manager, explained, “We want to inspire our community, to offer hope and to change lives through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation. Honor Walks are a dignified way to support grieving families and honor each hero’s final act of kindness.” In South Carolina, 1,600 people are anxiously awaiting a second chance through the gift of transplantation. Of that number, 1,400 need a kidney. Approximately 17 people in the United States die each day awaiting a transplant, and a new name is added every nine minutes. Becoming a donor is easily accomplished online at DonateLifeSC.org or on your iPhone Health App. Details can also be given to the local motor vehicle department when updating your license, and individuals should always share their critical end-of-life decision with a loved one. We Are Sharing Hope SC is the federally designated OPO for the state of South Carolina, working with more than 80 hospitals across the state to honor the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation. When it comes to the desperate need for organ donation, perhaps Allison Johnson Miller summed it up best: “We said from day one that Keegan would change the world – we just didn’t know how. If you can help someone and give someone else the gift of life, why wouldn’t you?” Craig Owens Keegan Johnson Keegan Johnson
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