search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
      • Enter Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
      • Enter the Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor Newsletters
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

Damato of the Day Is ... "Give Life - Be an Organ Donor"

By Rick Damato
April 19, 2011
This is not the first time I have veered off the roof on this little spot on the blogosphere. April is National Donate Life Month.

This is not the first time I have veered off the roof on this little spot on the blogosphere. April is National Donate Life Month. Of course it is National Pecan Month and the month to celebrate about a hundred other causes, initiatives, and all other manners of special and interesting things. In our family, EVERY month is Donate Life Month.

Our son-in-law, Mark, has been waiting on a liver for three years. It is a long story but suffice it to say that he was stricken by liver disease in the prime of his life and nothing has been the same ever since. Mark was a small business owner, a dyed-in-the-wool entrepreneur. He and my daughter, Dana, operated a sports bar and grill. It worked them both very hard but they loved it.

These days Mark’s primary occupation is staying alive through the kind of medications that do not allow one to carry on a routine existence. Of course he still does a great job as “Dad” to our two beautiful grandchildren. But the wait is incredibly challenging, as you can imagine. Going from being in command of your own kingdom to “just getting by” is no easy trip.

I am exceedingly proud of my son-in-law and daughter. They have endured and are enduring what would have taken weaker folks down a long time ago. All we can do from the sidelines is hope and pray that Mark will receive a donated liver and a new lease on life soon. Come to think of it, today would be a very good day to get the call.

There is one more thing that we have done. We are organ donors. This may not help Mark directly, but we do encourage others to be organ donors as well. You can learn more and even sign up to be an organ donor online. Here are a couple of sites where you can go today:

http://donatelife.net/

http://organdonor.gov/

While I am on the topic of family, I should mention that April is also National Autism Awareness Month. There are several young ones in my extended family who live with Autism. I am proud of them and consider it a blessing to be their Uncle Rick. Learn more about Autism here: www.autism-society.org/about-us/national-autism-awareness-month/

Share This Story

Rick damato update
Rick Damato is the editorial director of Roofing Contractor. He has held a number of posts in the roofing industry since 1974 and has contributed to the magazine since its inception in 1981. He can be reached at 770-331-7858 or on Twitter @RoofsByRick.
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Blog Topics

Damato of the Day

Guest Blog

Recent Comments

Upgrade General Contractors deliver expert residential roofing ...

If you’re looking to boost your Telegram presence...

Long Island Roofing

A good coach is someone who causes development,...

Metal roofing in texas

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the Newsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • A finished commercial roof, including flashings
    Sponsored byFlashCo

    It’s All in the Details – How to Avoid 4 Common Mistakes with Roofing Accessories

  • Happy mature couple using phone holding credit card making payments. Middle aged older man and woman doing ecommerce shopping on smartphone booking or buying online on mobile sitting at home table.
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Meeting Modern Expectations: Why Offering Financing Is Essential for Roofers Today

  • A roofing contractor stands on a roof behind an American flag
    Sponsored byTAMKO®

    Building Roofs, Building Community: TAMKO’s Lasting Commitment to Veterans and the Military

Popular Stories

TWS Remodeling team

Private Equity Fallout Rocks Roofing; Pros Step In

Malarkey-logo-with-Charles-Collins-headshot

Malarkey Roofing Products Announces New President

roofer-safety-harness-construction.jpg

OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Violations of 2025

Roofing Contractor Bookstore
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing