Welcome back to The Real Rachel BS, the newsletter about peculiar things in life, created and produced by me, Rachel BS (the real one) with the help of Substack and of course, my much better half, Mat. Thank you for supporting my writing about curious and random things.
Recently I wrote an opinion-editorial about organ donation. April is National Donate Life Month and as you know, I like to make sure folks know how they can be helpful through eye, organ and tissue donation throughout the year, but especially during this month. If you are just now tuning in, you can read more from me on this topic under my newsletter headline Spare Parts: Kidney Tales.
My Uncle Ed remains at the center of my story about donation. As the deceased donor in my life, he has been my inspiration since I was a kid. In all the things I write about organ donation, I recognize that my story isn’t just mine. I share it with my family; with Uncle Ed’s family. The grace they all show in supporting my writing, even when it can sometimes feature them, is reassuring. They, too, see the bigger picture in the message.
I chose to submit my op-ed to the Sacramento Bee because of my story’s California connection. Not only do I volunteer with OneLegacy, an organ procurement organization in Southern California, but Max Zapata, the donor featured on the Katie Couric news segment when I first discovered kidney chains, is from northern California. I thought, perhaps, my story would resonate with a Californian on the other end of the editorial inbox enough to give it some wings.
When the Sacramento Bee Editor shared that they wanted to publish my work I was elated. It confirmed that perhaps I am decent at putting one word in front of the other after all.
They asked for pictures to share of Uncle Ed. Since I was just a kid when he died, my inventory of photos is slim. I sent in a picture from his wedding day. My Aunt, grandparents and great-grandparents were all in a row with my sister and me standing in front of them. As junior bridesmaids, we were a part of their day in a special way. Matching dresses. Pink and blue barrettes. Little white socks with lace around the tops. I also sent in a photo of Uncle Ed that originated from the days of Saturday Night Fever, as confirmed by the oversized lapel and unbuttoned John Travolta collar.
The Editor informed me that it would be published in their online edition of the paper and also in the other four newspapers that McClatchy operated in the state of California: The Merced Sun Star, The San Luis Obispo Tribune, The Fresno Bee and The Modesto Bee. Last week, with a few edits and a new title, my editorial was out there in the world.
To see the other newspapers that published the editorial, I copied the title and pasted it into the Google Search bar. Turns out, Editor Hannah Holzer, who is an author herself, not only made it a California story, but it was shared with every McClatchy-owned newspaper in the nation. That’s dozens of newspapers throughout 15 states and the District of Columbia.
I invite you to choose an article link below and peruse my tribute to Uncle Ed on this final day of National Donate Life Month. I also invite you to consider registering your donation decision on the National Donate Life Registry and to visit Donate Life America to learn more about living donation. Or just ask me, your friendly neighborhood organ donor.
The McClatchy papers are subscription based. Once you are on the webpage a pop-up will appear that will offer you 48 hours of free viewing if you answer a survey question or to subscribe for a buck.
This is so so awesome Rachel! Sure miss seeing you. You my friend are a HUGE inspiration to not only me but so many others. You have an incredible servants heart. You are an amazing, talented writer! Hope to see you sometime soon.
You inspire me so much. I'm lying on the bed, pooped out, crying reading about your successful publication! You can put those forward as you continue to shop your fabulous book around! I'm very happy for you.