Last modified: 11 May 2000
Join TRIO - Awareness, Support, Education, Advocacy
Topics and Guest Speakers Include:
Honorable Robert P. Casey
Former Governor Of Pennsylvania
"Achieving Goals Through Positive Action"
C. Everett Koop, MD
Former Surgeon General
"Organ Donation & Transplant -- The Perspective"
"Changes on the Hill: How Will Recent & Proposed Legislation Affect Donation & Transplantation?"
Honorable Nancy Kassenbaum (R-KS)
Honorable Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
United States Senate
Judith Braslow, Clive Callendar, Diana Clark, Sidney Cohen, Scharleen Colant, Judy Colville, Steve Evangelista, Reginald Green (Donor Father), Darlene Handy, Baxter Harrington, Kally Heslop, Randy Hyn-lamb, Louise Jacobbi, Angie Korsun, Lisa Kory, William Lawrence, Ginny Maier, Wendy Marx, Hon. Thomas Mennino (Boston Governor), Jayne Miller, Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu, Dr. Paul Parsol, Dennis Rager, Nat Semple, Edie Ann Servino, Drew Silverman, Kenna Sullivan, Charles Thomas, and Vanessa Underwood. [Sandoz, Fujisawa, USA, Ortho Biotech and Roche]
For Registration Information, Contact Trio Headquarters at 202-293-0980 / 1-800-Trio-386
As we kick back and suffer through the long, hot, humid days of a typical Washington summer, it is time to thank those members of TRIO without whom our chapter wouldn't function. Claude Brady, our founding father and constant source of ideas, guidance, and action has been an integral part of this chapter since its beginning. Nancy Brady, our secretary, has handled virtually all of the administrative detail and planning for our chapter since its beginning. Without a doubt, the two Brady's are and always have been the core of this chapter.
In addition, our invaluable treasurer, Linda Cheatham, has played an active role for years, and serves as Treasurer for TRIO International. Linda and Mike Garrett have been active in promoting donation through numerous speeches and the One Lap of America contest. Chick Abeles, our Vice President, has filled in most ably during my absence for hip replacements, is working on a visitation program for transplant candidates and recipients at Washington Hospital Center , and provides valuable legal services to the Chapter and TRIO International.
Lora Steed has taken over production of the newsletter, which is the Chapter's lifeline to its members. Betty Torma, as program chair, has done an excellent job arranging for speakers and meeting places for our monthly general chapter meetings. Jane and Al Leon have been constant contributors and leaders of our Chapters for years. Jane runs the telephone hot line, and Al has been active in raising funds for the Chapter. He is establishing a support program at Shady Grove Hospital and gives speeches to groups on transplantation. Jim Dueppen, a member of the steering committee, is preparing a resource guide for our Chapter and Benno Duykers also a member of the steering committee has established a visitation program for transplant candidates and recipients at Fairfax Hospital. Kim Brown, Christine Wilson and Gregg Holman were extremely helpful with the very successful Art Auction held in June.
We owe all of these wonderful people a great deal for their selfless devotion of time and resources, which has led us to become one of the most successful chapters in TRIO. Hope to see you at the September 28th General Meeting scheduled to be held at Fairfax Hospital.
Even on a 99 degree day, the Chapter's picnic on Saturday, July 15th at Ft. Hunt Park in Alexandria was a huge success. Approximately 75 members and family and friends attended and enjoyed the wonderful picnic food arranged by Betty Torma through the catering service, Chef-to-Go. Over 100 had accepted, but because of the weather conditions not quite that many attended. All games were cancelled, but much conversation took place on the sharing of what a wonderful transplant community has evolved from our organization.
No, we didn't come in #1 with either car, but we did finish and we did show that TRANSPLANTATION WORKS! Mike Garrett, with his donor brother, Bill, entered his 1986 Mustang SVO. They came in 68th of 85 entries. The "women's" car was captained by Linda Cheatham, Mike's wife, Pilar Garrett, and Linda's sister, Peggi Moore. [Linda's donor, Robin Ward, was scheduled to participate but couldn't because of an illness in her family.] The women drove a 1994 Taurus SVO, donated by Ted Britt Ford of Fairfax. They finished 80th, which isn't too bad, considering that this was their 1st time on the track, competitively.
There wasn't a track or a stop at which we did not have a microphone or camera shoved in our faces, asking what we were doing and why! We responded with a responding: TRANSPLANTATION WORKS! and we are living evidence. It was fortuitous for us that Mickey Mantle got his liver transplant two weeks before the race, as most of the sports reporters were anxious to get our response about the rapidity with which he received his liver. We told the reports about many members of our chapter who have received transplants in a matter of hours or a day or two. No one, however, has heard about them because they are neither rich nor famous.
On August 6 at 6:00 pm on TNN, the special on the 1995 One Lap of American will be shown. We were interviewed at least four times by TNN so we hope something about our entries and transplantation will be included. We have also ordered customized videos about each of our entries. A slide show of this year's race will be shown at a future TRIO meeting. Plans are already underway for next year's entries.
From Jane and Al Leon: In honor of Wieners' retirement, in memory of Skip Tasch's mother. From Al Leon: In memory of Jack Blume. From Dora & Brian Hartford: In memory of Anna Llilja. Packets of 6 cards were purchased by: Nancy Ely; Kathie and Gerry Cole; and, Sharon Roxin.
With just a single glass of grapefruit juice, organ transplant patients may be able to improve their chances of recovery and save money, say University of Florida researchers. In a recent edition of the international journal Lancet, UF researchers reported that a glass of grapefruit juice reduced the need for expensive drugs most transplant patients need to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplanted organ.
Dr. Gary Yee, associate professor of pharmacy practice at UF's College of Pharmacy, said most organ transplant patients take cyclosporine, a drug that prevents rejection of transplanted organs by suppressing the immune system. Patients remain on the drug, which currently costs between $5,000-$10,000 per year, for the rest of their lives. Since insurance rarely covers the full cost of cyclosporine, people who have their lives saved by organ transplants often find their bank accounts drained by the expensive medication. "Some of them simply don't take it, which can lead to rejection of the transplanted organ, or they endure financial hardship to buy the medication that keeps them alive," Yee said. "It's a difficult situation."
To offset the expense, Yee said some physicians prescribe additional drugs known to raise the concentration of cyclo- sporine available in the blood, thereby reducing the amount of cyclosporine needed. "Drugs like ketoconazole, usually used to treat fungal infections, can reduce the required cyclosporine dose by as much as 80 percent. "Administering the second drug is standard practice at some transplant centers, because the reduction in cost is really significant, but any additional drug is going to cost money, increase the risk of side effects and require additional monitoring. We're also concerned about any possible longterm effects associated with these additional agents, since the patients have to take them for the rest of their lives. We'd much rather have them take something natural, like grapefruit juice, if we can achieve the same effect," Yee said.
Yee and his colleagues at UF analyzed blood samples from 14 healthy volunteers who had been given cyclosporine with grapefruit juice, orange juice or water. Each volunteer received all three combinations, administered at different times during a four week period. Orange juice and water produced no significant effects, but grapefruit juice was shown to increase concentrations of cyclosporine in the blood by an average of 40 percent. "We're continuing the study to determine the optimal dose of grapefruit juice," Yee said. "We'd like to know, for instance, if a second glass of grapefruit juice would increase the effect and reduce the need for cyclosporine even more. If the results of these studies are positive, it may well become standard to prescribe cyclosporine to be taken with grapefruit juice. Transplant patients could get enormous benefits at a very low cost and with virtually no risk of additional side effects."
Yee said the exact mechanism by which grapefruit juice interacts with cyclosporine is unknown. It is suspected, however, that flavonoids (chemicals in grapefruit that impart the bitter taste) inhibit enzymes in the gut wall that break down the cyclosporine before it reaches the bloodstream.
The UF study was partially funded by the Department of Citrus, and the National Institutes of Health through UF's Clinical Research Center. Collaborating researchers include, in addition to College of Pharmacy faculty and staff, Drs. Jorge Ruiz and David T. Lowenthal of the UF College of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Gainesville. [For more information call HSCC at 904-392-2621.]
The Chapter is not having a regular meeting in August so the Lunch Bunch is planning a dinner on Tuesday, August 15 at 7:00 pm. This will provide an opportunity for those who work during the day to participate. It's always a good time with the BCC sessions (brag a little, complain a little and compare a lot). Everyone is invited: transplant recipients, candidates, spouses, family and friends. The dinner will be held at the Italian Cafe located at 7171 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA. A separate corner of the restaurant has been reserved and ordering will be from the regular menu (Dutch Treat). RSVP to Claude Brady at 703-534-7029 by Monday, August 14th for a head count.
Susan Baker, kidney/pancreas, University of Wisconsin Hospital, 1991
Gerald Lebowitz, liver, Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, 1993
Linda Cheatham, kidney, University of Wisconsin Hospital, 1990
Douglas Malagisi, heart, Washington Hospital Center, 1991
Robert Moon, heart, Cleveland Clinic, 1993
George Brady, heart, John Hopkins Hospital, 1985
Frank Vollmer, heart, Fairfax Hospital, 1991
Carl Miller, heart, Fairfax Hospital, 1993
Charles Pearson, liver, Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, 1991
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
Last modified:
11 May 2000