The wait to speak Friday paled in comparison to the wait for an organ transplant for Door County resident John Vreeke. Door County Medical Center invited Vreeke to share his story as part of its Donate Life ceremony, held Friday afternoon in front of its Sturgeon Bay campus.

Battling diabetes his entire life, Vreeke needed a double pancreas-kidney transplant when he was placed on the waiting list in 2021. It was not until two years later that his wish was partially granted, when a friend donated her kidney, allowing him to move up the list to receive a transplant.

After a rocky first year, Vreeke has since thrived, allowing him to live a life that was once at risk. He hopes his story inspires others to consider having that conversation with their family and to help shorten the wait for someone else.

The Donate Life ceremony included a flag-raising at 1:08 p.m., representing the eight lives one person can save through organ, eye and tissue donation. It also featured a moment of silence honoring the more than 1,400 people currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.