ORGAN DONATIONS: PARENTS' DECISION TO GIVE SON'S HEART TURNS THEIR TRAGEDY INTO LASTING GIFT

Kathy and Paul Breitenstein made a decision that rendered their 3-year-old son Seth's life meaningful long after a car accident took him away from them in 1992.

"I was in the emergency room when I found out our son Seth had died after being hit by a car," Kathy Breitenstein said. "Just out of the blue I remembered a friend of ours was on a waiting list for a heart donation. I thought maybe we should donate Seth's organs and tissue to help someone like my friend out."

Mindful of the heavy emotional toll such a loss had taken on her husband, she wondered if he would think this was a bad time to even discuss donating their son's organs.

"I was a little scared about asking Paul at a time like that because I thought it might sound strange," she said. "He told me he was glad I suggested doing something like that.

"Paul and I had discussions about donating our own organs, but I never dreamed we would be talking about the same thing for one of our children," she said.

The Cape Girardeau couple's involvement in organ donations didn't end there. The Breitensteins have spoken at hospitals about the spiritual reward of giving something back after having something precious taken away.

"One of the things I talk about to people at hospitals is how important it is to approach the family about donating organs and tissue," she said. "If the people at the hospital say nothing, they have already made the decision for the family. I just think everyone should be aware of the option."

She said the decision to donate her son's organs and tissue gives her a positive memory and a feeling Seth made a significant contribution to the lives of others.

"I feel like Seth will never be forgotten," she said. "If everybody could just meet someone who has been given a second chance at life, it would make them feel the same way that Paul and I did when the time came to make that decision," she said.

Kathy Breitenstein became involved in a cause in Cape Girardeau called the 5-kilometer Thanksgiving Run. The race, scheduled for Nov. 20 at 1 p.m., is being held to promote organ and tissue donation. The race will begin and end at the future home of Health South, 280 S. Mount Auburn Road.

She designed the T-shirts for last year's race and has offered to come up with something new for this year's event. The message on the shirt for 1994? "For things come not back. The past life. Neglected opportunity."

The race is sponsored by Mid-America Transplant Services, Health South, Southeast Missouri Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center and several area businesses.

Kathy Breitenstein said about 150 runners are expected in this year's race. "It's become an attractive race for competitive runners and an excellent opportunity to promote public awareness of organ and tissue donation," she said.

Margit Bilgram of Mid-America Transplant Services, said 675 people are on the regional waiting list for vital organ transplants. More than 36,000 in the United States are waiting for transplants.

"Because of the organ donor shortage, many on the waiting list will die before a suitable matching organ becomes available," Bilgram said.

Registration fee for the 5-K and Fun Run is $8, if received before 5 p.m. Thursday. After that the registration fee will be $10. Packets can be picked up and registration will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Health South. T-shirts will be given to everyone who registers.

Pewter plates will be given to the top male and female runners. Trophies will be awarded second- and third-place male and female runners. Medals will be bestowed to first-through-third-place winners in each age division.

For more information call Kathy Breitenstein at 334-5416 or David Earl at 335-0068.