Linda Dendy
Donor

Linda Dendy first gave blood as a college student. Back then, she just liked the idea of helping people. But, she didn’t really make donating a habit until many years later, after her 10 year-old son was diagnosed with serious kidney problems.

That’s when Linda started thinking seriously about how important giving blood really is in the lives of others. It’s also when Linda committed to donating for the rest of her life.

At that time, she and her husband, Dwight, also had to start thinking about organ donation – which helped prepare them for the day in 2000 when Dwight donated a kidney to their then-17 year-old son, Brian.

Linda eventually wanted to do more – and was intrigued by the notion of donating platelets through automated donation. She likes visiting RRVBC every month rather than every 56 days – and loves knowing that her frequent and vital visits help cancer patients in need. In fact, Linda has made donations to directly benefit friends and family, including her mother, who have been touched by cancer. There’s something about the idea that giving a little of herself can make such a profound difference in the lives of others that seems extremely fulfilling to Linda. At this writing in 2008, Linda has given more than 40 platelet donations.

Now, in 2008, Linda’s son, Brian (his father’s kidney still keeping him strong) is 25 and in his last year at Columbia University in Chicago, where he will earn a bachelor’s degree in music.

In addition to being a dedicated donor, Linda has just completed training to become a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) volunteer. Like nearly 60,000 other CASA volunteers across the country, she will speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. She’s looking forward to lending some consistency, stability and kindness to the lives of troubled children.

What do Linda and Dwight do for fun? They might jump on Dwight’s Honda Gold Wing motorcycle – or in their plane – and travel. Linda loves to travel. Short trips, long trips – she likes them all. She finds traveling relaxing.

It might surprise some to know that Linda looks forward to her monthly platelet donations for the same reason. She views her trips to RRVBC as “enforced relaxation,” and loves catching up with her many friends there.

She says simply, “I don’t have time NOT to do it.”

If you’re looking for more proof of Linda’s commitment to being such a dedicated donor, you need look no further than the Illinois license plate affixed to her VW Bug: GV LF. Linda Dendy doesn’t work outside her home, but her good work lives on in so many others.