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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EndNotes

John Baker: A father’s love

John Baker’s daughter, Krista, died in 2000 of cystic fibrosis while waiting for a lung transplant. Baker has made it his decade-long quest to honor his daughter by raising awareness of the need for organ donors. “People ask me, ‘Don’t you think it’s time to pull back from this?’ I’m not ready.” (Dan Pelle)
John Baker’s daughter, Krista, died in 2000 of cystic fibrosis while waiting for a lung transplant. Baker has made it his decade-long quest to honor his daughter by raising awareness of the need for organ donors. “People ask me, ‘Don’t you think it’s time to pull back from this?’ I’m not ready.” (Dan Pelle)

My Sunday story about John Baker, who lost his daughter to cystic fibrosis and now gives talks to teens about organ donation, was a grief exercise in the reporting. I didn't have Kleenex at the talk he gave to the Ferris students and couldn't stop the tears. And I'm not prone to tears. Sometimes in my reporting, I meet people whose strength and grace amaze me. John is one of these people. He lost two children and battled cancer and as his daughter told me:

"My dad has always amazed me by his consistent positive attitude,” said oldest daughter, Nicole Jonak of Portland. “He has a very strong faith in God that he relies on. He finds meaning in always asking himself how his experiences can help others and then acting on those ideas.” 

Thanks John, for agreeing to the story.

(S-R/Dan Pelle photo of John Baker)



Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.