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A remarkable milestone was achieved in Pennsylvania when a woman, at the age of 97, became the state’s oldest organ donor and the third oldest in the United States, as reported by WTAE.
Peggy Fields opted to become an organ donor later in her life, making a significant contribution by donating her liver to a recipient in Florida after passing away. Her decision set a record in state history, showcasing the enduring impact of organ donation.
Fields was renowned for her dedication to service, spending much of her life in Pittsburgh involved in numerous volunteer activities. She supported her church, participated in community initiatives, was active in historical societies, and led as a Girl Scout leader, according to her daughter, Linda Kirk.
“Volunteering and giving were intrinsic to her nature, and this donation was her final act of generosity,” Kirk expressed with pride. “It makes me very proud.”
Kirk emphasized the broader message of her mother’s gift, stating, “It’s important for everyone to realize that age is not a barrier to organ donation. You don’t have to be a young spring chicken; even at 97, you can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.”
The Center for Organ Recovery and Education told the publication that Fields’s heroic choice shows that it’s a myth that people can be simply too old to donate their organs.
“The oldest is actually a 100-year-old now from Nebraska, but Peggy holds the distinction of being Pennsylvania’s oldest donor, the oldest female donor in history, and the third-oldest donor in history just altogether,” Katelynn Metz, of CORE, said.
“They want to know that the last thing they do in their life would be to do something for somebody else, and to give their own families this legacy. They just think that they’re too old,” Metz said.
People of all ages can be organ donors in the US, and doctors decide when you die if your organs are viable for donation, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.
In 2021, one out of every three people who donated organs was over 50, according to statistics from the National Institute on Aging.