Rocco's surgery took approximately 6 1/2 hours on Tuesday, July 23. We often use the phrase “medical miracle.” Certainly, in comparison to what could have been done 10, 20, 30 years ago, performing major surgery, such as a liver transplant, seems miraculous. As difficult as it may seem to comprehend, Rocco was transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit and into a regular hospital room on July 27, less than four full days after the surgery. This is a tribute to the superior skills and dedication of his surgical team at Cedars-Sinai.

In fact, beyond the work of a highly-trained medical staff, there are two other key ingredients: Organ Donation and Blood. One can only imagine how many pints of blood are necessary during an operation of this magnitude. The donated liver was flown in on a moment's notice from another state. Yet another important act of urgency made possible by an effective transplant network.

While we continue to raise funds to support Rocco in his ongoing medical care and after care, there is something else that each of us can do to give back:

• Donate blood.
• Become an organ donor.

Donating blood isn't difficult and can be done periodically. You can donate as an individual or if you're ambitious, organize a group of people to donate. Having a ready supply of blood in one's community is essential to saving lives. We have provided links to the appropriate area on the American Red Cross web site, so you can find out how to participate.

Becoming an organ or tissue donor is a very personal family decision and a very important one. You could save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people by becoming an organ donor. It is from the generosity of one individual's decision to be an organ donor that Rocco received his transplant and now, we pray, can accomplish a complete recovery.

To donate an organ is to donate life. Please visit the Organ Donor site for more information and to see how you can help.

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) coordinates all information regarding available organ donors, patients-in-waiting, etc. Rocco received his liver transplant through the efforts of UNOS. Please visit their Web site for more information about this network.

It is important to talk to your family about organ donation. An excellent resource in this area is the Share Your Life Web site at: http://www.shareyourlife.org. This Web site contains news, information and facts about organ donation, Web graphics like the one at left that you can put on your Web site to promote organ donation, etc. Each state has different procedures for becoming an organ donor. Sometimes you can simply designate it on your driver's license. Other times it is more complicated. Find out the procedure in your state or location.

Blood donations and the decision by another individual to make an organ donation saved Rocco's life. You can help save lives, too. Please donate blood and sign an organ donor card. Thank you!