In April 2009, Ron Boris’ heart was failing; each day a struggle to survive.

As Boris struggled, Erin Toulson of Marydel, Delaware, was struggling, too - fighting to come to grips with the sudden death of her son, Eddie Bates, dead of a brain aneurysm at 31.

Today, 14 years later, Bates’ heart still beats strong in Boris’ chest.

Last week, Boris, of Lake Wynonah, was on hand as Schuylkill County commissioners proclaimed April as Gift of Life month in the county.

“I would like to thank my donor. Without him, I wouldn’t be here,” Boris said as he held a photo of Bates.

“I was in the hospital last night, but I couldn’t miss this,” he said. “This is something I’ve been doing. It’s dear to my heart, and I didn’t want to miss this.”

Eight years ago, Boris spoke at a commissioners’ meeting, saying he had made a promise to Bates that he would spread the word on organ donation, encouraging people to sign donor cards.

Also on hand for the proclamation was Paul T. Kennedy, president of the Schuylkill County Fair, whose mother, Denise, who died in 2020 at 58, was a donor.

“I’m blessed and honored to be both a recipient and a donor family. Our nephew, Tanner, was here last year one week after he received a kidney,” he said.

“I’m here on behalf of donor families, encouraging families to have the conversation about giving the ultimate gift, being a hero.

“We carry my mother as a hero, and we carry all donors as heroes,” Kennedy said.

“Please have the conversation. It’s so important to folks like Ron ... and folks who have received kidneys and other organs,” he said.

“One donor can help hundreds of individuals. My mother helped hundreds of individuals, not only in the first 24 hours, but continues to be helping individuals through her gift of bone marrow, skin, tissues, corneas and any other useful part of here body,” Kennedy said.

Commissioners Chairman Barron L. Hetherington has known the Kennedy family for decades. He lauded Denise Kennedy’s decision to donate her organs.

“Paul’s mother, Denise, was a ‘standout person in the (Schuylkill County) Fair Association,’” he said.

Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. said Boris was in the intensive care unit the night before, but “signed himself out of the hospital. He wouldn’t miss this. He made sure he was here, and that’s how important this is.

“You’re my hero,” he told Boris. “Paul, your Mom was truly a hero.”

Commissioner Gary J. Hess said that organ donation benefits everyone involved.

The gift of life benefits recipients, but also donors. Their lives “continue to give and grow” through that gift,” he said.

According to the proclamation, 114,000 Americans are on the national transplant waiting list.

The proclamation encourages people to visit www.donors1.org to find out how to become a donor.