Aero was founded several years ago to be a part of the amazing organ donation process - the transportation of doctors and organs at critical times - and it is still a cornerstone our business and mission today.  To me, the topic of organ donation is even more personal.  

Many years ago when I had just come back from my honeymoon, I learned that my nephew had been diagnosed with childhood leukemia.  Devastated, I sought to do whatever I could to help and that meant becoming a bone marrow donor.  Unfortunately, I was not a match for my nephew, who later succumbed to the disease, but I today remain on a bone marrow list offering to anyone who needs.  It also set me on a path of learning more and doing my part in the organ donation community. 

I decided to honor my nephew by, although not an organ, growing my hair and donating it 5 times (I have a LOT of hair) when one day I learned my husband was ill.  After a tough fight, my husband passed, and being the amazing man he was, his parting gift to this world was donating what he could to those that needed it.   It was shortly after when I learned my sister-in-law was in kidney failure.  

I immediately signed-up to become a donor but yet again, I was not a match.  Sad and a bit frustrated, we found out about a new University of Alabama - Brimingham “kidney chain” group that was created just for situations like this.  It allows pairs of recipients and donors to join and find other pairs where there could be better matches.  And it worked!  My sister-in-law found a perfect match from a very altruistic person and I was able to donate my kidney to another. 

When I think back on this part of my life, I realize that organ donation becomes contagious.  Once you see those that are impacted and meet the survivors, it all becomes clear what power we have within us to change others’ lives.

One healthy kidney later I continue to be a donor and am honored to work for a company that so deeply cares about organ donation and those impacted.  Whether or not we have the honor of serving you as an Aero VIP, we do hope you consider becoming an organ donor. More information may be found on our website: https://flywithaero.com/beadonor

~ Denise