JANUARY 1996
Volume 3, Number 1

THE NATION'S CAPITAL AREA CHAPTER
Transplant Recipients International Organization
P.O. Box 7633, Arlington, VA 22207, (703) 920-TRIO

FAMILY RESPONSE -- The following is the Donor Family response to Jim Dueppen's Recipient article in the 11/95 newsletter.

A member of an Organ Donor Family and Transplant Recipient meeting. You can never share anything greater than one of the deepest hurts in your life with another. If you can take something that's unhappy, and turn it into something that makes someone else happy, it definitely changes your unhappiness. My grief for my brother changed, knowing that through his death, he gave life to four other great guys who wanted life. I am elated for all four men who received organs. I also feel my brother is a hero because of this. Meeting Jim and Marilyn was one of the most exciting moments of my life. When it was departure time I cried, because I wanted to spend more time in getting to know them better. I'm really looking forward to meeting the other three men. I want to encourage others to meet. It's a rewarding experience. signed: Lonnie Ruge

I was born well before 1960, am unskilled mechanically, and never learned to type properly. Therefore I am a prime candidate for total computer illiteracy. It was for this reason that I asked that a P.C. be installed in my office. I thought that possibly the process of osmosis would give me at least some vestigial knowledge.

To my astonishment, it's actually starting to work. I am now (with several false starts and much backspacing) able to compose short letters and memos and print them out. I have even sent a few e-mail messages. But a dramatic breakthrough came when my firm's computer guru showed me how to get onto the Internet. It's another world, folks--and one which contains much of interest to the transplant community. The University of Michigan operates a transplant web site, known as "TransWeb: An Internet Resource Devoted to Transplantation and Donation." Don't ask me how it operates; I don't know. But it's an arena where one can spend literally all day dipping into pockets of information, wandering at will from topic to topic, discovering, discovering.

Information on the TransWeb is broken into six areas: News; Focus on Transplant Patients; information for Medical Professionals; Organ and Tissue Donation; Issues and Answers; Transplantation Resources on the Internet; and Library and Index. To take one area as an example, the topic Focus on Transplant Patients is further broken down into six additional areas, one of which, "Frequently Asked Questions," lists questions submitted by recipients, patients, and the general public, and the responses from medical personnel. The questions are broken down by organ, so one can go directly to his or her area of interest.

Another area under the Transplant Patients topic, "Support, Advocacy, and Educational Groups and Resources," gives information on many groups throughout the country, including TRIO (our parent organization) and The Nation's Capital Area Chapter. Our Chapter and the New England Chapter are the only two chapters appearing on the TransWeb at this time. For our appearance and the publication of our meeting notices, we can thank our member Lora Steed, to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. Anyone with the equipment to explore this fascinating new medium should not miss the opportunity.

As I write this column, we are well into the holiday season. Let all of us recipients remember to pause during these festive times, and often in 1996, to thank our donor families for the precious gift they have given us. We literally would not be here without that gift. And if our donor is living-related, let us remind them of our love and gratitude.

Soon after the New Year, 1996 Membership Renewal Notices will be in the mail. The Board of Directors of our parent organization, Transplant Recipients International Organization, has voted to increase membership dues from the chapters to $10.00 per chapter member annually. TRIO also has changed its financial year from a fiscal year to the calendar year, beginning January 1, 1996. Therefore, chapters owe dues to TRIO on or about January 1, 1996, and therefore we must collect dues from our members at the same time.

Because of the increase in dues by TRIO from $5.00 to $10.00 annually, we must raise our chapter membership dues to $25.00 for individuals, $10.00 for each family member at the same address, and $15.00 for each family member at another address. In case of financial need, membership grants are available.

We are asking that you take time to complete the renewal form so that we can update our chapter membership records -- and please VOLUNTEER for the committee(s) of your choice. A listing of the current committees and a description of their activities is attached to the membership renewal form.

Anyone who has lived in the world of transplantation has learned how to "go with the flow." We all proved this by enjoying a lovely evening at the Best Western Hotel in Arlington, VA on Saturday, November 11, 1995. After the reception period and sharing we all took our seats for dinner. OOPS! No Electricity. The generator kept on minimal lighting and the hotel staff scurried to supply candles throughout the room. We all enjoyed soup and salad together, then entree service began. Most of the meals had to be taken to a restaurant to finish cooking and were served as they returned. Some people at a table were finished eating before the others were served. It seemed that made the evening even more special...conversation never ceased.
The evening was devoted to showing appreciation to donor families. The guest speaker was Peggy Schaeffer, Director of Recovery Services at WRTC. Her talk was most enjoyable and exceptionally fitting as Peggy herself is a donor mother. Linda Cheatham, chapter officer, then presented the attending donor families with the Gift of Life Donor Award. The inscription on the award (in part): "In Grateful Appreciation For Giving New Life To Us By Your Generosity and Thoughtfulness In Your Time of Loss"; We Cannot Repay You -- We Can Only Say "Thank You" Every Day of Our Lives."

The arrival of winter during the evening not only took out the electricity around the area, it also turned everything white, making the ride home a challenge with slippery roads and a shortage of operative signal lights. It was another TRIO "evening to remember."

The 1996 Public Service Ad Campaign will be starting shortly. This is sponsored by the National Council of Local Coalitions on Donation. We (The Nation's Capital Area Chapter) are associated with the Mid-Atlantic region. This year's television ads are of actual donor families from all over the nation. The ads are in black and white for impact and attention. They show emotion that an actor can't show. We hope that you will agree with our opinion--they are very powerful.

Do you personally know someone in the management of a local TV or Radio Station? Preferably the Program Manager? Or, do you personally know someone who buys advertising time on any of the local stations? This "in" contact that you may have could greatly assist in getting these PSAs run, and hopefully run in good time slots. All stations have good causes asking for their valuable time, so any help that we give to this program will help.

Likewise do you know someone who can help get the associated newspaper ads run? Local weeklies can help in this area too. Do you know someone at METRO that can possibly help with bus and subway ads?

Please call Jim Dueppen at 703-620-1046 any time, and tell him how you can help in this important program to convince more people to become donors. There are now over 42,000 waiting, and over 1000 in our WRTC area. This list grows daily, and unfortunately some candidates do not last until a lifesaving organ becomes available. They need our HELP and prayers.

Linda Hollis, member of the Fairfax County Commission on Organ & Tissue Donation, reports that the Commission also plans to contact the local media to encourage them to air the PSAs. Please call the Commission member and media liaison Jane Roberts at 703-847-6349; Fairfax County Health Department staff Janet Neuhaus at 703-246-2411; or Linda Hollis at 703-256-2993, to suggest names of media representatives for them to contact.

I would appreciate it if I could have some help from members of TRIO. I am starting to put together a self-help publication (book, booklet, newsletter--depending on how much diversity I find) for the family members of transplant recipients. I intend to concentrate on the unique challenges that family members have to face during the long waits, great expenditures, family role changes, etc., that accompany the emotional roller coaster with which we are all so familiar. I plan to send out questionnaires soon after the beginning of the New Year. In the meantime, please think about any unique contributions you may be able to contribute. If you'd like to reach me before January, please call any evening. Marilyn Dueppen, 703-620-1046. thank you in advance for all the help I hope to receive from you all.

Chick and Hetty Abeles graciously opened their home and hosted the Chapter's Fifth Annual Holiday Party on Sunday, December 10. This party was a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit -- greeting old friends, welcoming new ones and enjoying the wonderful food and desserts. Many thanks to the Abeles for their hospitality.

Packet of 6 cards ... Denise Kahn; 3 cards...Michelle & Ken Lifton; 3 cards...Cherry Whitney -- in memory of Elena Cliser, James Sewell & Roz Simpson; 2 cards...Brian & Dora Hartford -- in memory of Lois Williams; Packet of 6 cards ... Daryl & Linda Hollis; Packet of 6 cards...Claude & Nancy Brady; 2 cards ... Al & Jane Leon -- in memory of Les Lamm & Gerry Cole's mother; Card...Gerry & Edward Meltz -- in memory of Les Lamm; Cards...by Claude & Nancy Brady -- in memory of Gerry Cole's mother; in remembrance: Jack Marks & Mac McGinness; Card...Audrey & Irwin Goldring -- in memory of Gerry Cole's mother; Cards.. Al & Jane Leon -- in memory of Warren Staley, & in memory of Kathie Cole's father. For more information on obtaining Tribute Cards contact: Jane Leon at 703-920-8746. Tribute Cards are available for: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, new babies, transplant anniversaries, etc. What could be more convenient and inexpensive?... and you're helping TRIO too!

Dennis Rager, Rehabilitation Counselor and liver transplant recipient, was the guest speaker at the Baltimore TRIO meeting held at Columbia Mall Conference Room on 11/28/95. Mr. Rager discussed return to work programs for transplants. Social Security is reviewing all transplant cases yearly (instead of every three years) and many transplants on Social Security are being dropped as fit to "work." The Chapter has a supply of Social Security Publication SSA No. 05-10095 (call 703-920-8746 to request a copy) or you can write to Social Security for a copy of the publication. Mr. Rager suggested that all transplants who are not seriously disabled should get into a rehabilitation program. He offers free employment counseling for transplant recipients nationwide. For more information call: 503-614-0663 or 1-800-613-0977.

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