Choose To Live
San Francisco resident, Barbara Jean Crane Rooks, has been waiting for a kidney transplant for nearly four years but remains hopeful she will get her Gift of Life soon.
It is because of her desire to live and inspire others to register as organ and tissue donors that she is sharing her story at the San Francisco Citywide Revival, which takes place in the City by the Bay March 26-30, 2018.
“I have been shy about telling my story in public in the past, but if my testimony can change one person’s mind about registering as a donor, I will be happy,” says Barbara who works in the health field and enjoys music, dance, and books.
Now in its 14th year, the Revival is comprised of nightly fellowship services that reach more than 3,500 attendees at the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. In addition to organ and tissue donation, the congregation hears messages that focus on wellness of the spirit, soul and body.
The theme for 2018 “Choose to Live” speaks to the determination of individuals, like Barbara, to not give up while they are waiting for a second chance at life. The event is possible because of generous monetary contributions from local organizations and individuals; this year the Platinum level sponsor is the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
There are 10,600 people waiting for an organ transplant in northern California and Nevada, of which nearly 700 reside in San Francisco County. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and a tissue donor can heal 75 others. Anyone can become an organ donor! It only takes a minute.