Man's search for immortality is as old as man itself. We can't cheat death completely but we can cheat death a little by allowing a piece of ourselves to physically live on in others through organ donation. We discuss the medical, psychological and religious overtone associated with becoming a hero by becoming a donor. John Berdahl M.D. is an Eye Surgeon at Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and has performed over 25,000 surgeries He was recently named the #3 ophthalmologist in the world under age 50. He co-invented the MKO melt and has started 4 companies Astigmatismfix.com, Equinox, and ExpertOpinion.md, but what drives him is the trust patients, family, and friends place in him. Alan Berdahl is an organ donation advocate and a bilateral cornea transplant recipient. Alan's background as an educator allows him to connect with drivers education students, as well as adults, about the importance of donation. As the Community Outreach Coordinator with Dakota Lions Sight & Health, his efforts have helped to raise awareness of organ donation and increase the number of designated donors in South Dakota dramatically. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at
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