Last modified: 11 May 2000
APRIL 1996 -- SPECIAL ISSUE
NATIONAL
ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR AWARENESS
WEEK EVENTS
April 21-27, 1996
National Donor Recognition Ceremony
Sponsored by the Division of Transplantation
and several national associations
Scheduled Sunday, April 14, 1996, 1:00-2:30 pm,
Reception Follows
National Institutes of Health -- Natcher Conference Center,
Bethesda, MD
DIRECTIONS: From 270 North, off 495, get off at Exit #8 -- Shady Grove Rd. Go West about 2 miles. Hospital is on the right. Go past the fountain to the Outpatient Surgery Parking Lot
The third annual National Donor Recognition Ceremony will honor America's organ & tissue donors. We recipients are reminded every day that we owe our lives and the quality of our lives, to the generosity of donors and their family members. Join us in giving thanks to those special people at this memorable event. See page 3 for directions.
WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER -- Tuesday, April 23, 1996. Celebrate NOTDAW with displays of awareness of organ and issue donation issues in the military communities in the National Capital Area.
SHADY GROVE ADVENTIST HOSPITAL -- Wednesday, April 24, 1996 at 11:00 am -- Rededicate Donor Garden in celebration of NOTDAW. Contact: Rick Kolovich at 301-279-6311.
TRIO -- The Nation's Capital Area Chapter invites you to attend its Spring Dance, Saturday, April 27, 1996, 7:00 - 11:00 p.m., at the Best Western Arlington -- Patton Room, Arlington, VA. Suggested donation of $5.00 at the door. Music provided by DJ Bob Abrams. Cash bar with refreshments/snacks provided. RSVP acceptance only at TRIO/NCAC 703-920-8776. Directions: South 395 Exit 7, Glebe Rd., or North 395 Exit 7B, Glebe Rd. Left at light, Tower Bldg. in back. Shuttle bus service provided to/from Pentagon Metro Station and Best Western . For further information call Daryl Hollis at: 202-727-0004 / 703-256-2993.
THE WASHINGTON REGIONAL TRANSPLANT CONSORTIUM invites you to attend its annual donor family gathering, Sunday, April 28, 1995, 2:00 p.m. at the National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave., N.W., Washington, DC. A donor family quilt will be unveiled during the non- denominational ceremony. Please RSVP: 703-641-0100. Afterwards TRIO -- Nation's Capital Area Chapter will host a reception. We encourage all members to come out to celebrate this special event.
As I sit in my office writing this column during the third
week in March, I'm taken by the sounds and sights of Spring drifting
through the window. Gardening and nursery trucks are parked in the
street. New plants and bushes are appearing. Lawns are greening.
Winter-damaged gutters are being repaired. All around us, life is
appearing or reappearing in a manner not thought possible three weeks
ago.
It's a happy time of year. Whether or not our new organ is
working well, whether or not our state of health is what we would like,
whether our psyche is up or down, who can resist the sights, sounds,
and smells of this season of renewal? Remember -- we are the
survivors in a process that the world would not have thought possible
30 years ago. So all of us recipients need to stick our heads out of the
window, breath deep, and smile. And while we're smiling, let's give a
cheer for all those on the waiting list. By this time next year, some of
them will join us at the window.
As many of you know, on February 20, Nancy Brady, our
intrepid Chapter Secretary (and repository of all Chapter knowledge),
slipped and fell at the bottom of a Metro station escalator and broke her
hip. She was taken to George Washington Hospital, where she
underwent hip replacement surgery. Nancy is now continuing her
recovery in a hospital bed at her home in Arlington, and is cheerfully
dispensing wisdom and advice by phone and in person. It goes without
saying that we all wish Nancy a speedy and complete recovery. Thanks
to a number of volunteers, particularly Lora Steed, Chapter matters are
proceed- ing. But we do need help with secretarial matters, and would
welcome additional volunteers. Please call Nancy at 703-534-7029, or
TRIO at 703-920-TRIO.
On a sad note, Debbie Hawkins has felt it necessary to resign
her post as Chapter Vice President because of declining health. In her
letter of resignation, Debbie
notes that she has not been able to give her time in the way she wants,
and feels it appropriate to step aside. We all thank you Debbie for your
good past service, and wish you the very best. She will remain a
member of the Operating Committee and help when she can.
To serve as Vice President for the balance of Debbie's
unexpired term, we have appointed Operating Committee member Don
Seeley. Don received a kidney-pancreas transplant at Georgetown in
December 1992, and has long been active in transplant affairs. He was
one of the founding members of the Fairfax Country Commission on
Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, and is past chairman of
the Multicultural Education Task Force for WRTC and MOTTEP. The
Chapter is fortunate to have Don as an officer, and we look forward to
working with him.
TRANSPLANT EDUCATION
by Debbie Hawkins & Christine Wilson
On Saturday, February 24, 1996, The Minority
Organ/Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) presented its first
panel discussion on “The Role Cultural and Ethnic Differences Play
in Organ/Tissue Donation.” It was held at St. Timothy’s
Episcopal Church in SE, Washington, D.C. Ms. Jacqueline
Ridley-Jennings who chairs the MOTTEP Chapter at St. Timothy’s
was responsible for the successful turnout of this event. Ms. Jennings
is an active member in this congregation.
The idea of the forum was unique in that the Rev. Cannon
Downs, Pastor, was in need of a heart transplant less that two years
ago. His health was rapidly declining when he was informed that one of
his parishioners wanted him to receive her heart. Through her passing,
Rev. Downs received the blessing of a renewed life. Through the grace
of God, everything worked out well and since his transplant, Rev.
Downs is doing very well.
The panel group consisted of representatives from diverse
backgrounds. The panel was brought together to express the religious
and cultural views relative to organ and tissue donation. Even though
we all come from many diverse cultures with many pros and cons
relating to organ and tissue donation, the essential tool to promote
donation is education and awareness. The question and answer
session following the forum had many people leaving with open minds
toward organ and tissue donation. The forum was video-taped and will
be available for purchase at a later date. This forum was an excellent
example of what we in the transplant community can do to educate the
general public. For futher information, please contact Ms. Jacqueline
Ridley-Jennings at 202-582-7740.
National Kidney Foundation
of the National Capital Area
From Patti DeLone, Chairman
Transplant Games Committee
The 1996 U.S. Transplant Games will be held August
22-25, 1996 in Salt Lake City. This is a terrific opportunity for our
recipients to show off their accomplishments and have a great time as
well.
The National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area is
pleased to sponsor a team from our area to participate nationally. In
1994 a team of 19 transplant athletes traveled to Atlanta, GA. Through a
variety of fund raising events we were able to support the team with
transportation and lodging. It was truly a wonderful experience for all
who participated.
We have scheduled our first planning meeting for April 2,
1996, for 6:00 p.m. at the Cancer Center Auditorium of the Washington
Hospital Center. Athletes ages 3-75 who are recipients of life-saving
organ transplants can participate in the games. Parking is available in the
Washington Hospital Center garage and will be validated.
LUNCH BUNCH
The next lunch will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday,
April 17 at the Sizzler Restaurant in Arlington: 2130 N. Glebe Road (one
block south of Lee Highway on Glebe). For more information call
Claude Brady: 703-534-7029.
Tribute Cards
From: Jane & Al Leon -- get well wishes to Kay Windkler;
Cherry and Jeanette Whitney -- in memory of William Randle; Christine
Wilson -- 9th anniversary of Al Leon's transplant; Christine Wilson -- 6th
anniversary of Debbie Hawkins' transplant and happy birthday Victor;
and, Pate & Jerry Lebowitz and Virginia & Charles Johnson
wishing Nancy Brady a speedy recovery. If you are interested in
sending a tribute card or purchasing a packet of cards, call Jane Leon at
301-299-6748.
We
need volunteers to help out with this local chapter. There are many
areas that badly need attention. Presently, with Nancy Brady not
available, things are starting to deteriorate. Help is needed in picking up
the many items Nancy handled -- AND SHE DID MANY!!! We need: an
acting-Secretary to fill in for Nancy; someone to organize the June picnic;
volunteers to put labels and postage on the monthly newsletter; and, help
with many other items. This is a very successful Chapter, but can
continue only by everyone helping to make it this way. PICK UP THE
PHONE and volunteer your help in continuing to provide awareness,
support, education and advocacy with organ and tissue donation. [TRIO -
Nation's Capital Area Chapter 703-920-TRIO]
Congratulations to all TRIO members and friends who celebrate their transplant anniversaries in April.
Robert Brown, Jr., kidney, Shady Grove
Adventist Hospital, 1994
William W. Schmidt, Sr., heart, Washington Hospital Center, 1990
Avery J. Jackson, kidney, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 1993
Mary E. Little, kidney/pancreas, Washington Hospital Center, 1992
Brian Hartford, heart, Washington Hospital Center, 1990
Angela K. Wynn, kidney, Washington Hospital Center, 1994
Vicki L. Rhoades, heart, Fairfax Hospital, 1994
Richard C. Sachs, kidney, Washington Hospital Center, 1992
If we missed your anniversary or to be sure we have your anniversary,
please contact Claude Brady at 703-534-7029.
The Nation's Capital Area Chapter
Transplant Recipients International Organization
P.O. Box 7633,
Arlington, VA 22207
(703)
920-TRIO