by Lissa Blake
It’s a decision no family should ever have to make.
But looking back, the family of the late Erin Rud is glad they did. It’s been just over a year since Erin passed away as the result of a fall from a moving vehicle.
Her mother, Kathy Renk, of rural New Albin, said in the hours afterword, doctors did everything they could to save her. When it became evident that Erin would not survive, Kathy said they started having some hard conversations.
“I remember sitting in the room visiting with Erin’s sister, Emily, and talking about it. I asked Emily if she thought Erin would like to be an organ donor, and she agreed she would,” she said.
After the conversation, Kathy said she left the room to go find her husband, Tom Renk, and Erin’s dad, Jeff, and his wife, Kris, of Spring Grove, MN. What Kathy didn’t know is that the hospital’s organ donation representative had already been visiting with them regarding Erin’s wishes.