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Donating Life

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NEW LIFE from page 11

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Both Steve and Jeff
have recovered from the
surgery, with slight dis-
comfort remaining at the
chest tube incision sites.
Doctors tell them that
only an Olympic-level
athlete would notice any
decreased breathing
capacity from the sur-
gery.
Not only was the
unique three-way surgery
itself a family affair, but
so has been caring for
both couples' children.
Sheri and Jeff have three:
Danny, 13; David, 11;
and Rachel, 9. Steve and
his wife Janice likewise
have a threesome:
Elizabeth, 10; Rebecca,
5; and Randi, 2. All but
the baby are students at
Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit in
Farmington Hills.

Family Effort

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Janice has been caring for
all six children since the
Sheri Devries and daughter Rachel
surgery. "They're all very
close, they're almost like
siblings," she said. "It's
been that way since
for a transplant," Janice added.
they've been born.
"They're the nicest, most giving peo-
"My kids were very worried,
ple that I know.
scared. The 2-year-old kept asking
"It's evident by the way their kids
where's her dad. We were on the
are behaving though all this.
phone all day long with him. "Once
Everybody's rallying around to make
the surgery was successful, it was a
sure she gets well and to do every-
great relief," Janice said.
thing that it takes."
The Devries children really haven't
Of course, the two donors would
shown a lot of anxiety over it. There
not have been needed if more cadav-
have been no repercussions in school
er donations were available. "That's
that anything is going on. The two
why it's so important to emphasize
older boys got double honors on
the importance of people becoming
their report cards.
organ donors," Jeff said. "If everyone
"Sheri and Jeff are wonderful par-
who was in a position to donate did
ents," Janice added. "Even when
so there would be no waiting list.
Sheri went into the hospital in July,
"I read in a medical journal, that if
the kids have been wonderful.
everybody who could donate an
They've really come to accept it."
organ at the time of death did, there
Their extended family and wide
wouldn't be any waiting lists for any
circle of friends have lent a much-
of the organ transplants. Now the
needed hand on the home front.
number of people getting on lists for
Steve's father ran the printing busi-
various organs is accelerating at a
ness while his son was in surgery.
faster rate than the growth of the
"This couldn't have been done
number of donors. Therefore, the
without family support," said Janice.
percent who are dying on the wait-

Inspiring Others

"Sheri and Jeff are very well known
in the community because they have
the kind of hearts that you'd want

ing list is greater every year.
"My plea is not for Sheri directly,"
Jeff added. "But Sheri would consid-
er it the greatest privilege and honor
if her story can be an impetus for
other people to donate organs."

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