You’re never too old or too young to register as an organ donor. You can save a life at any age.
67 years young
Darcy Murdoch is the definition of living life to the fullest at 67 years young with his gifted lungs. He’s a self-employed crooner named Bobby Bacchus who moonlights as Elvis or Santa, depending on the time of the year, and you can find him performing in the Metro Vancouver area.
“I have been able to sing, perform and run a successful business. I even plan to put out more albums in 2024,” he shares.
Darcy exercises five times a week, mixing cardiovascular activities with weight training to keep fit.
“I’m proud to say that I have conquered the Climb the Wall fundraiser with the BC Lung Foundation, climbing 144 flights of stairs at the Sheraton Wall Centre and raising $12,000 for this important cause,” shares Darcy.
One of his favorite activities is to walk in the forest and breathe in the fresh beautiful air – something so simple that wouldn’t be possible without the transplant he received in January 2015.
For his 10th double-lung transplant anniversary next year, he plans to celebrate with a trip to Ireland, taking his donor and donor family with him in spirit.
“Every day, I wake up appreciating the fact that I am alive and living a full life. If I could share one thing, it’s how grateful I am to them for giving me the gift of life. I can’t even imagine the pain that they have gone through losing a loved one. That never goes away and it affects so many people.”
Organ donation has allowed Darcy the opportunity to thrive, stay healthy and maintain a good attitude. He loves sharing his story with people because they are always blown away that another person’s lungs are inside of him.
“I take people through the process of how many health care professionals are involved in organ donation and transplant, and share about my life after transplant. I tell them how important it is to register as an organ donor because I am living proof that it works.”
Darcy says he has experienced way more success now, after his transplant, and he plans to continue growing and learning; and adding more songs to his repertoire!
Bob Graham, B.C.’s oldest organ donor at 79
In January 2014, Kary Michaels lost her dad Bob in a skiing accident.
“My dad was vibrant, athletic and active right up to the moment he died. He was an engineer by profession and photographer / chef by hobby. He was a great guy and I’m really proud of him and the legacy he created by volunteering throughout his life and teaching me the benefits of giving back,” shares Kary.
As a BC Transplant volunteer, Kary learned that you are more likely to need a transplant than you are to become an organ donor and she knows firsthand how rare and honourable it is to be able to give the gift of life.
Kary loves that her dad’s gifts of life carry an extra special message because of his age at the time of donation — she has fun sharing this amazing fact because she often hears people say they are too old to donate. She and her dad are here to help debunk this common myth. “The doctors said he had the body of a 65-year-old, but in reality, he was just two months shy of his 80th birthday!”
Kary adds, “He became a hero the day he died and became an organ donor. He was kind and compassionate. Dad would be so proud, as are we all, that he lived life and was able to pass it on.”
Don’t count yourself out. Whether you are eight or 80, you can register your intent to become an organ donor in B.C. and let the medical specialists decide if your organs are healthy enough to be donated.
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April is Organ Donation Awareness Month – register as an organ donor at registeryourdecision.ca.
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