Last modified: 11 May 2000
Message from the President by Chick Abeles
I must report with regret that Gerry Cole has submitted his resignation as president of The Nation's Capital Area Chapter. In his letter of resignation, Gerry noted that as a result of personal and family medical problems, he will be unable to devote the needed time and energy to Chapter matters. The good news is that Gerry will remain an active member of the Chapter and will continue to contribute his time and talents where possible. We look forward to his continuing good counsel.
The Operating Committee has asked me, as First Vice President, to step in for Gerry for the balance of his term. I feel fortunate to have the good health and time to undertake this task, and will do my best. One of our early tasks will be to seek greater participation in Chapter committees and activities. With a paid membership close to 250, we hope to identify a good number of people who are willing to undertake various tasks on behalf of the Chapter. To commence this process, we are planning to circulate a questionnaire to the membership (perhaps with the next dues notice) describing Chapter activities and seeking volunteers. This is one easy and pleasant way that transplant recipients can start giving back to the community. So please be generous when asked.
This will serve as a reminder that the United Way Campaign is still underway. If you would like your contribution to go in whole or in part to the Chapter, you can designate it as a recipient on your pledge card. Specific directions can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Chartering Anniversary Celebration on November 11th.
Officers
President: Chick Abeles
Vice President: Debbie Hawkins
Treasurer: Linda Cheatham
Secretary: Nancy Brady
Past President: Gerry Cole
Committee Chairpersons
Awareness: Debbie Hawkins
Fundraising: A.Leon/B.Duykers
Legislation: Vacant
Membership: N.Brady/J.Leon
Newsletter: L. Steed (Acting)
Meetings: Vacant
Support: Vacant
At Large Members
Brian Hartford
Jim Dueppen
Sandra Tirnauer
Kim Brown
Michael Garrett
Ken Lifton
Louis Miner
Christine Wilson
Kenneth Moritsugu,M.D.,M.P.H.
If you want to contact any Chapter Officer or Committee Chairperson and don't have their number, call 703-920-8746 and leave a message; your call will be promptly returned.
As a member of the WRTC speaker's bureau, and a member of the operating committee of The Nation's Capital Area Chapter, I accompanied Steve Korb, one of WRTC's organ procurement specialists, to speak at a Reston Lion's Club meeting August 16th.
Each Lion's Club determines the activities they will participate in. Every member is encouraged to bring suggestions to the group. They are looking for suggestions for activities to be of service to the community, as well as social situations.
The members had the usual questions showing considerable interest in transplantation issues. In particular, there were questions about Mickey Mantle's transplant. I explained that we have several "Mickey Mantles" in the Washington area, they just didn't have a famous name to attract the attention of the news media. I mentioned that I had never spoken to a group of people where everyone already is a registered donor. Their curiosity aroused, I asked them to consider "upgrading" their eye bank donation to include all organs and tissue.
At the end of the evening I learned that this Club has one member who is a kidney recipient; we did not meet as he was not at this meeting. I think that we may have answered many questions that they may have been hesitant to ask a fellow member.
Another plus was learning where this untried Oriental Restaurant is located. Reston has grown so much during the past few years, even those of us who live here don't know where everything is located. I enjoyed the evening and I am looking forward to continuing to spread the word of the tremendous need for organ and tissue donors.
One of the happiest days of my life occurred on Friday, July 21, 1995. I met my donor's sister. Lonnie is the person who enabled me and three others to receive our gifts of life. She signed the papers allowing the transplant of her youngest brother Scott's organs. Jim Caswell (heart), Mark Neusel (pancreas and kidney), Wayne Knaus (kidney), and I (liver), received our organs at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison in November (Thanksgiving) 1993. Jim Caswell and I probably would not have made it to see 1994. Mark has subsequently had several eye operations to restore his sight that was damaged by diabetes to a "correctable" level. We are all now, thankfully, enjoying life.
When Lonnie called that she was ready to meet us, my wife, Marilyn, and I made reservations for the first weekend that we could, and flew to Austin, Texas. I knew that someday I would have my prayer answered, and I would be able to put my arms around her and give her a big hug, and say "Thanks." I knew that I just had to do that. I'm very happy that she wanted and needed that big hug too.
We learned that our donor died from a self-inflicted injury that caused oxygen deprivation. When Lonnie got to his side 20-plus hours later, he grasped her hand. After awhile, he appeared to be slipping away. She went outside and a man walked up to her and asked if she had considered donating her brother's organs? She said that she had not. He said that he had donated his three-year old daughter's organs about a year before and this really helped the family in their healing process. Then he seemed to just disappear. She never saw him again. She wonders, was he an Angel? Then she sat down next to a young woman and learned that she was awaiting a liver transplant.
When Lonnie went back to the ICU, she told the doctor that she wanted to donate Scott's organs if he didn't make it. The doctor told her that she couldn't, as the coroner would have to perform an autopsy. She then told the doctor that she insisted that Scott be an organ donor and to tell the coroner that he could just come to the hospital to do his autopsy while Scott's organs were being harvested. She really had to fight for us, arguing for over an hour, not knowing who we were, other than some people awaiting a chance to survive. The coroner evidently came to the hospital, because we four are living proof of what a very determined lady can do when she sets her mind to it.
So, a beautiful lady named Lonnie is my hero. She is a young grandmother who has led a difficult life and has a very deep faith in God. Scott and the rest of the family have had more than their fair share of problems and difficulties, and a few miracles too. While Scott may not have left much of a mark during his short 40-year life, he sure has left a mark with the donation of his organs at his death. He has enriched at least four families who are eternally grateful.
Lonnie recently received a large medal from the Governor of Wisconsin for the family, thanking them for their multi-organ donation. It is like an Olympic "Gold" Medal. We think that it is appropriate. They certainly are our heroes.
We are planning to get together next June in Wisconsin Dells--Lonnie, her four children and their families, her brother Bill and family, and we four recipients. For all of us, this will be a real family reunion.
TRIO - The Nation's Capital Area Chapter, P. O. Box 7633, Arlington, VA 22207
TRIO Baltimore Meeting
Mr. Rager is a 1986 liver recipient who discovered that returning to the workplace after a long-term, serious illness was not as easy as one might expect. He utilized the state vocational rehabilitation to assist in re-training him in personnel management, a vocation better suited to his physical capabilities post transplant. Since that time, he has devoted his life to helping others who have had serious illnesses, disabilities, or displacement from the workplace get back to work. He is a certified rehabilitation counselor and consults with transplant centers, vocational counselors, and patients nationwide. All invited to attend. For more information call: Pat Lebowitz -- 410-539-1582.
This live meeting will be beamed by satellite to a number of cities throughout the country, including Washington, D.C. It will be held at the Cancer Center Auditorium of the Washington Hospital Center commencing at 1:00 p.m. Local sponsors of the event are the National Kidney Foundation, the Washington Hospital Center, The Nation's Capital Area Chapter of TRIO and Washington Regional Transplant Consortium.
Those interested in attending should register by telephone with Alyson Reed at NKF - 202-244-7900. Please note that while Washington will receive the program live, we will not be able to converse with other participants. National sponsors of the event are NKF, the North American Transplant Coordinators, and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals.
Other cities participating are: Ann Arbor, MI; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; and San Francisco, CA. For more details on locations at these cities contact the National Kidney Foundation at 1-800-622-9010.
If we missed your anniversary or to be sure we have your anniversary, please contact Claude Brady at 703-534-7029.