12/23/24 President’s Message: Two Conversations
This is the story of two conversations, one from August, and one from December 1. May they bless you as they have blessed me, as we celebrate the holidays and the conclusion of a wonderful 2024.
Conversation 1: August
“Chris, did you know that 86% of people on the organ donation waiting list are waiting for kidneys? There are more than 89,000 people on the list waiting for a kidney this year, and they can spend as much as five years on a waitlist.”
“No, I didn’t know that. Wow.”
“Yep. 97% of live-donor kidneys are fully functional, and live donor recipients face less risk of organ rejection. I was with family, and I learned that my cousin needs a kidney. If others in my family aren’t a match, I’d like to get tested, and see if I am.”
“Wow, that’s incredible. You have my full support.”
“We’ll see. There’s like a million things that would have to happen for all of it to come together, but my mind is pretty set.”
The best I could mumble was “Good luck”. I mean, how do you react when someone just pops in to say, “I think I’d like to save somebody’s life.”
The whole chat lasted just a couple of minutes - a few short matter-of-fact sentences and a look of determination in her eye. A calmness passed over her expression when she talked about it the next time, a
nd I knew what that meant. On December 19, after months of tests at various healthcare facilities, this incredible human being, this friend to all, this woman of valor donated a kidney and is on the road to recovery.
Better yet, at the last report, the donated kidney is working perfectly. A life saved.
Conversation 2: December
Running errands one Saturday in December, my nine-year-old asked me, “Daddy, if you could rate the top ten Christmases in your life, what would they be?” Knowing this was likely a setup to get me talking about presents, I paused to reflect and perhaps use this as a clumsy opportunity for a life lesson.
I thought fondly of gifts from my childhood, of the wonder of waking up to a beautiful, yard-blanketing snowfall, and the squeals of my children at Santa’s arrival. I thought of homemade eggnog pie (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it), hot chocolate, and the smell of the smoke from the American Flyer model train encircling the tree. I remembered departed loved ones, and recalled feasting, worship, charity, and ‘goodwill among men’.
I told my son there were too many wonderful holidays worth remembering, and that I couldn’t possibly rate them. Then I remembered my friend and this incredible gift of life that she would be giving. The self-sacrifice, the courage, the living up to her faith.
I said, “Remy, how do you think my friend’s cousin is going to feel when they wake up on Christmas with a working kidney and the gift of life?”
“Pretty awesome, Daddy.”
“I agree. The truth is, while we don’t always see them, heroes are all around us. As they inspire us, we have a chance to be heroe
s to others too, just like this woman was a hero to her cousin. That’s the definition of ‘goodwill to men’, and it is stories like this that inspire me, bud. I guess sometimes I just forget how close to home heroes can be.”
Two days before Christmas and a week before New Year’s, it would be easy for the Chamber newsletter to share about the organization’s accomplishments in 2024, or about what we have to look forward to in 2025. It would be easy to be distracted by political battles, and unfinished business, and to feel the angst of the start of a new year, all of which are generally forgettable.
Instead, I challenge you to think about the heroes in your lives, (especially the unsung ones and the life-saving ones) and to pause for a moment to celebrate them. Remember all the people who made this year incredible in our community, and join me in resolving to fly their banners even higher in 2025.
Wishing you the happiest and most hopeful of holidays!
Sincerely,
Chris Berleth
President, The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce
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If you're interested in learning more about the life-saving gift of organ donation, check out local resources in Columbia and Montour Counties, like this one through Geisinger. In addition to what you can learn about the procedure, there are a lot of resources available to living donors and their families too. In November, Geisinger announced this grant from Gift of Life, to help with transportation and housing needs while donating.