We can’t believe it’s been 10 years since we lost dad. He was such a happy, hard-working father who loved life and lived every day to its fullest. We miss him so much. 

Dad was not your typical 88 year old. He was full of life and energy. But Father’s Day just weeks shy of his 89^th birthday, things changed. Dad drank an orange juice that took his life. 

Dad became ill with diarrhea and severe cramping the Tuesday after Father’s Day, while at his job working as a security guard. We went to see him every day and on Thursday we decided to take him to the emergency room to get IV fluids. He was so dehydrated. He saw his regular doctor who took a stool sample. While at the appointment the doctor mentioned a recent outbreak in orange juice. Everything clicked. On Saturday, dad suffered a stroke and was taken to the hospital. The results of his test returned positive for salmonella poisoning. Ten days later we put him in a nursing home where he spent his final days paralyzed on one side and totally dependent on others. Our amazing dad died on July 23, 1999.  

Since losing dad we’ve grown increasingly aware of the problems within America’s food safety system. And we’ve done something about it. For years we have been members of S.T.O.P. or Safe Tables Our Priority, a non-profit dedicated to preventing foodborne illness. This year they flew us to Washington DC twice so we could tell our Legislators  in person what happened to Dad and why they must make changes NOW.  

The trips gave us the opportunity to meet other families that experienced the same heartaches and losses that we did.  We saw just how extensive this problem is. So now, in this season of giving and to celebrate our father’s life, we have made this page to help S.T.O.P. Please take a moment and make a contribution to help us reach our goal. Davidson’s Safest Choice has agreed to match all donations (up to 10K) made to our page before the end of this year. 

Thank you in advance for helping to remember dad. 

Love,

Carolyn and Jule