Already in this short time I have received so many beautiful letters of support and gratitude from so many of you who have lost loved ones, and also shared the gift of life with others as a result of those tragedies.
— Alex O’Loughlin MySpace Blog, 30 November 2009
There is a term of endearment among the fan girls for Alex: He is a FLR (F/ckin Life Ruiner). Of course, this means that his good qualities have spoiled them for such a lot of stuff (mostly for other men) in real life.
Urban dictionary: Life Ruiner (noun):
someone who is unbelievably perfect; ruins your image on how most people are; makes you believe that most people are unworthy because there is someone like him/her around
For me, he has always been a lifesaver more than a life ruiner, because I actually don’t think he is “that” perfect. 😉
I want to move on to a subject close to my heart. One of saving lives. Some years ago my philosophy was, why offer my organs to somebody that did not take care of theirs in the first place? I have since then come a long way in revising my opinion and realising that many people are not to blame for their organs failing and even if they were, I believe in second chances.
There are lots of fans that say the subject matter of Three Rivers was depressing and boring because of all the dying. For me it never was!
The fact of the matter is, that a lot of people die an untimely death. Not a lot of them die in a manner, that can keep their bodies working until their organs can be harvested. Even if you are a registered donor, only a small percentage of us actually can be a donor in the end. I would however like to know, that if I am dying in a manner viable for donation, that the option is there that somebody could use my organs for that second chance in life.
As Dr. Andy Yablonski, Alex portrays a brilliant doctor who once got a second chance to turn his own life around. He uses his talents to help people who need medical care, and to also have that second chance in life. I find it totally exhilarating and life-giving.
“I often catch myself saying things like.
“We’re actors! We’re not curing cancer or feeding the hungry”.”
— Alex O’Loughlin MySpace Blog, November 30, 2009
In my opinion, they couldn’t have asked for somebody better to play this role. For although they (CBS), totally screwed up the series in many ways, Alex with his success in other projects will always be promoting this cause. Along the way, the dedicated fans, that Alex attracts, will spread the word and the ripple effect of what he and this series started, will know no end……..
However short, the series did succeed to show so many different scenarios surrounding organ donation. The doubt with relatives about whether the loved one is really dead, all the different factors that need to be in place to do a successful transplant, the black market trading in organs and its pitfalls, the subject of live donors and so many more.
I just want to mention one episode that will always haunt me – Episode 7. In my opinion, one of the most thought-provoking episodes I have ever seen in any medical drama. And I also want to applaud Mandy Patinkin for his fantastic portrayal of “The Luckiest Man”.
(And just as a side note I hope when the final showdown between Steve and WoFat ever occur, they will cast Mandy, just to come and say – “You killed my father, prepare to die” 😉 )
The decisions around the deathbed of a loved one are never easy. Make it easy for them and register or at the least let them know how you feel about giving someone else a second chance. And do yourself a favor, re-watch Three Rivers through the eyes of what it means on second chances and not of people dying.
It truly is “A Place of life” much rather than death for me! And Alex is breathtakingly beautiful throughout…..so that alone is worth watching.
(Allow me another side note on my total and utter surprise at Amber Clayton’s wonderful portrayal of Dr. Lisa Reed. She truly made her an authentic character to me)
To Alex, I just want to say, thank you for taking on this project that scared you at first.
Please don’t ever see or refer to Three Rivers as a failure in your career…..
This role, the guy I’m playing, is so important, that a part of me was like, you can’t do that, you can’t play that role, it’s too important, you’ll never know enough to be able to play that role. But they accepted me and it’s been such a privilege.
— Alex O’Loughlin E! Online, May 20, 2009
This is dedicated to all of Alex’s fans, around the world, that are involved with Organ Donation and promoting it. Alex might have given the cause the heart, but all your efforts will always give it arms and legs, to carry it forward!
Link to the Facebook page for Fans for Donate Life
You can also watch what Alex say about it here
Alex O´Loughlin ~ An Intense Study 