save a life

There wasn't much good to come out of the horrific shooting death of the four Oakland police officers last month, but one good thing was that officer John Hege continued to serve even after death. He was an organ donor, and his heart, kidneys and liver are helping save the lives of four people. His skin and tendons will help others in the months to come. And his action has helped raise awareness of organ donation. In California, it's easy to register to become an organ donor in the event of your death. If you didn't already do it when getting your driver's license, just go to the Donate Life California website.

You can help save lives before you die, too. Just take 30 minutes or so out of your day and donate blood at the Red Cross Oakland Blood Center on Claremont Ave. The need for blood is continual, and it will help save a life. Make donating blood a regular part of your calendar. You can donate whole blood every 56 days, and go on saving lives. I've no doubt John Hege would be proud.

Finally, to honor the four Oakland officers and donate to help their families, donate and join in the 45-mile Step Confidently Ahead walk. Two Vacaville police officers and one firefighter will be walking from Vacaville to Oakland to raise funds, then meet with supporters at Fentons Creamery on Piedmont, who will be donating proceeds from a special sundae.