Last modified: 11 May 2000
And we are pleased to announce that our chapter will experience a significant population increase next year. Alicia Martin, Suzi Holmes, and Kenna Sullivan are all expectant, first-time mothers. To add to the excitement, Alicia and Suzi are both transplant recipients, making them members of a small, pioneering group of patients. Alicia is a liver-kidney recipient and Suzi is a liver recipientÄit is obvious they know how to celebrate the Gift of Life.
Our third expectant mother is not a recipient, but is equally special. As most of you know, Kenna is a member of a donor family, a social worker who is very involved in the transplant community, and the president of the New England chapter.
All three babies are due in the early spring, so you know what you'll be reading about in the April newsletter.
Also on the baby front, Dick Ficociello called this week to report that he is a grandfather. His son and daughter-in-law presented him with his first grandson earlier this month, and Dick, who is still recovering from the lung transplant he received earlier this year, is understandably proud.
* There is a bill before Congress to create a national Gift of Life congressional medalÄa commemorative medal for families of organ and tissue donors. The bill needs our support. You can help by calling your senators' offices and asking them to support bill S.2495. Your senators' names and addresses can be found at your local library.
* The October issue of American Health suggests that adults with immune problems or chronic conditions have an annual flu shot. Influenza can be a very serious health problem for pre- and post-transplant patients. Check with your doctor to see if you should receive the vaccine and then check with your local public health office to find out when the shots will be administered in your area.
* UNOS' September 1995 update lists 42,224 patients on the national waiting list for organ transplants. The largest group comprises 18 to 49 year olds. The large number shows that our efforts to educate the public about organ donation are vital.
* Our June column introduced you to Freddy Bell, a young boy in Argentina who is waiting for a kidney transplant. We asked that you take a few minutes to drop Freddy a card or note. Well, a letter from Freddy and his Mom arrived recently thanking us for our support. Freddy loves to receive mail from the U.S.
The doctors in Argentina are not ready to perform Freddy's transplant yet; they feel he's too small to receive a kidney from his Dad at this time. So, if you have a few minutes to spare during this holiday season, please send Freddy a card expressing your encouragement. He'll be thrilled to hear from you. After all, this is what TRIO is all about.
Mail can be addressed as follows:
Freddy Bell
Estancia La Alameda
C.C. 69 Saladillo, 7260
Buenos Aires, Argentina
* TRIO's annual fundraiser did not generate as much revenue as we'd hoped. The $30,000 will not keep the TRIO office running for the next year. Additional fund-raising ideas are needed. If you have any ideas, or are willing to sit on or chair a committee, please contact the TRIO office at 508-777-6050. We really need your help!
Best wishes to one and all for a very happy holiday season from Marcia's Corner!!!
An organizing meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. December 6, 1995 at the Dana Education Center, Classroom 1, Maine Medical Center, Portland Maine.
The initial response to this idea has been excellent, and has included support of a number of local groups. If you live in Maine or New Hampshire, we hope you can make it on December 6. If not, watch the newsletter for future meeting times.
The group is primarily a support group which offers encouragement to those who have been transplanted or are waiting to be transplanted. Friends and family members are also welcome.
The group comprises transplant patients and their families; there are no physicians, nurses, or social workers. It's all very informal and often very informative and helpful. You are all encouraged to attend and share your concerns and ~stories.
On Sunday, December 10, the Boston group will have its annual holiday party and would like for everyone to come. If you plan to attend, please contact Karen Ferreira at 617-491-0819 and let her know what dish you are planning to bring. That of course is optional. Most importantly, they want to see you there.
For more information about the Boston satellite group, call Joe Ferreira at 617-491-0819.
Happy holidays to all of you and good health for the upcoming new year from the members of the Boston satellite group of TRIO New England.
If you would like to order the card (or would like more information about the Foundation), you can call 800-895-8478. Have your Visa or Master Card number ready. The cost is $10 for a package of 20 cards.
Other celebrants include: Robert Donnelly (liver, NEDH); Mary Greene (kidney, MGH); and Theresa Wilcox, kidney, B&W)Äall celebrating 4-year anniversaries. Deanna Arnold (liver, Hartford Hospital); Jennie Bognore (heart, MGH); Frank D'Aurora (liver, NEDH); John Griffin (kidney, MGH); ~Bernard Hoar (liver, NEDH); Jim Kane (heart, MGH); Mark Lapin (heart, MGH); and ~Peter McCue (liver, NEDH)Äwho are celebrating 3-year anniversaries. Irving Dark (kidney, NEDH) and Lawrence Schwartz (kidney, University of Miami) are both celebrating 2-year anniversaries. And Howard Blakeslee (heart, B&W); James DiCarlo (kidney, B&W); Lorene Melvin (liver, Baylor Medical Center); and Fred Pappas (liver, NEDH) are all celebrating 1-year anniversaries.
Congratulations to all of you!
* Did you know that the week of November 19-25 was National Family Caregivers Week? The purpose of this week is to honor family members who are caring for a chronically ill child, spouse, parent, sibling, or other loved one. These caregivers perform an important and often difficult task and deserve a little recognition. If you missed it, celebrate a little late. Caregivers, be kind to yourself today. And care receivers, an extra smile, hug or thank you would be greatly appreciated.
* Chapter members once again wrote notes of appreciation to donor families in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. These notes were delivered to the New England Organ Bank who addressed and mailed them for us.
* If you have been trying to find TRIO New England on the Internet without any success, it may be because we still haven't published the correct address. Try again with this address:
http://www.med.umich.edu/trans/transweb/support/trio_new_eng.html
Sorry for the confusion.
* In keeping with tradition, there will be no newsletter or Thursday night meeting in December. Both will start again in January. The newsletter staff is looking forward to another year of sharing your stories and reporting what TRIO is accomplishing through the efforts of its members.
December 6, 7:30 p.m. Maine Medical Center. Organizing meeting of Maine support group (see article elsewhere).
December 10, 12:00 noon. Massachusetts General Hospital. Holiday social sponsored by Boston satellite group of TRIO New England (see article elsewhere).
Martin Smith
TRIO New England
172 Boston Street
Middleton, MA 01949
Phone: 508-777-6050
Fax: 508-777-0620
email: BYGJ31A@prodigy.com
Last modified:
11 May 2000