“Please be patient with me, I can’t back up.”  This is the sign in the windshield of our buses as they carry our children back to school after the largest snowstorm in modern memory. They’ve had the desired effect as people realize they need to be patient and sometimes they need to back up themselves to let our buses by in streets narrowed by heaps of snow.  Our community has been and continues to be at its best with neighbors helping neighbors move heaps of snow, cope with power outages and now everyone helping to get children back to school.    We’ve all been reminded yet again how connected we are and what a pleasure it is to have the time to visit with neighbors because none of us can rush off to ....anywhere. Reading the comments posted by parents on schools Snow Learning Page  has been a real window into many Arlington families, and they look good.   Now, of course, we’re working on how to make up the lost school days without going to school later in the summer and without losing spring break.

I’ve had my own reminder this week of how connected we are and how important community is. The final letter from the Washington Regional Transplant Community (WRTC) about the outcome of Kennan’s tissue donation came on February 11. It is hard for me to believe it has been over two years since he died. The letter brought up a number of different emotions for me, but I continue to be grateful that Kennan’s death was able to help so many people. And I continue to feel very supported by the WRTC. As always, there was a personal handwritten note as well.

“Kennan’s donation consisted of orthopedic tissues, which are used to hasten recovery in individuals suffering from bone or spine disease or injuries.  Many bone grafts can be generated from one tissue donor.  In the case of Kennan’s gift, our donation records indicate the creation of eighty seven bone grafts which are used to perform reconstructive surgery, spinal fusions, and oral surgery.  Our records also indicate that eighty three of these grafts have been distributed for surgical procedures that will enhance the lives of many patients. These grafts were distributed to California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Clearly Kennan’s donation has made, and will continue to make a remarkable and widespread impact on the lives of many others in need.
We would like to formally convey our condolences to the Garvey family on the loss of their loved one.  We hope this information provides greater insight to the significance of Kennan’s donation.  Many donor families find this information comforting.”