Thank You New York Organ Donor Network in allowing me to join in on your Inaugural Organ Donation Community Summit today. Their professionalism, passion & compassion for all organ donations makes for a very powerful presence.
The New York Organ Donor Network is the nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for the greater New York Metropolitan area. NYODN is the second largest OPO in theUnited States, serving a culturally and ethnically diverse population of 13 million people. They also work closely with 10 transplant centers, more than 90 hospitals, and various tissue and eye banks. It was a true honor to be included in their program today.
While I was there, a kidney arrived from a deceased donor and immediately connected to a mini dialysis machine. This process helps to preserve the kidney as well as verifying the kidney’s viability for transplant. There are so many advances happening in the transplant world today. I am constantly amazed and can only wonder of what we all will see tomorrow.
Thank You again for I have learned much from you all today. Also, Thank You Richard Denno for introducing me to this great group of people.
http://www.donatelifeny.org/
I received this just the other day…
“Hi my name is Elaine Jones! I am also a 2 time Organ Donor! I donated my right Kidney to my uncle on 6/2001 and part of my Liver to a 9 month old baby girl on 12/09/2009! I would love to get involved in your foundation to help inspire others to become living donors!”
The more living donors come out and let the world know they exists, the more people will start thinking about living donations.
I received this today from a double organ recipient in Brazil. This is an amazing story that needs to be told:
“Att Harry Kiernan,
Dear Harry,
This transplant was the first one in the world. I, SIDNEI MOURA NEHME, received a kidney and 65% liver right lobe transplant from a living donor, my son FABIO SILVA NEHME.
The day was October, 8th, 1998, at Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo City, Brasil.
At that time I was 53 years older and FABIO 25 years.
Now, I am 66 years older and Fabio is 39 years.
Fabio lives in Houston, Texas. He studied at John Hopkins (SAIS), Washington, DC, and IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland. He is Americas’ Director in the biggest french company EDF Eletricité De France, and before he was Officer in the Worldbank, Washington, DC and I am a exchange broker.”
A dual living organ transplant from the SAME DONOR, during the SAME SURGERY!
That is truly amazing!
I was very happy to know both recipient and donor are doing very well.
The more stories people hear of living organ donations, the more common they might become.
There are so many misunderstandings and just plain untruths about being a donor.
Their story will help in educating people on how they can help to save a life.
Monday, March 19th The Walk reached Yale-New Haven Hospital and again was greeted by members of their transplant team.
 Dr. Sukru Emre, Harry Kiernan & Tami Cherdack
We would like to than our Transportation Sponsor: Premier Limousine & Premier Bus Lines for providing transportation for the walkers back to Glastonbury. Also, a big thank you for those same drivers who brought the people to Hartford Hospital that could not walk it. Also, for checking on walkers who were having a tough time walking and needed a little lift.
A big Thank You to Amy at Whole Foods Glastonbury and the entire Whole Foods Team for helping us in making the step-off of The Walk a very successful event. Their team members are part of the local community and they are passionate about supporting the local causes that are important to their shoppers and neighbors.
Today, Sunday, March 18, 2012 we started The Walk of 2012 from Whole Foods Market, Glastonbury, CT to UCLA Medical Center. It was a nice gathering of caring people aware of the organ shortage in this country and are doing a little bit more showing their support. We were all treated to breakfast by Whole Foods Market. Our CT State Rep. Srinivasan, presented us with a Connecticut General Assembly Citation. Harry and an enthusiastic group of supporters walked 6.5 miles to Hartford Hospital where they were greeted by members of the transplant team. After ceremonies there, Harry continued his walk to Yale-New Haven Transplant Center. Estimated arrival is Monday afternoon.  CT State Rep. Srinivasan, presented us with a Connecticut General Assembly Citation.
February’s group meeting was very helpful for some special people. In attendance was someone whom has been on dialysis for 3+ years and another person just about to start. Their getting together not only informative for the newer patient, but also for his wife. For she was also calmed by the other’s wife’s experience.
March’s group was well attended. Our group is reaching more and more people. It’s a great feeling to watch people talking freely about their transplant experiences and learning from each other.
February’s group meeting was very helpful for some special people. In attendance was someone whom has been on dialysis for 3+ years and another person just about to start. Their getting together not only informative for the newer patient, but also for his wife, for she was also calmed by the other’s wife’s experience.
This month’s meeting will be Tuesday, March 6th. Please note the change for March. We will get together on March 6th instead of the 13th.
This will be an open group, meaning anyone and everyone is invited to attend. There will not be a specific agenda. We want everyone to feel free to discuss anything they wish.
We are open to all who would like to attend. We are hoping to attract not only living organ donors, but organ recipients, donor families, medical professionals and anyone who would like to know anything about organ donation.
Our host is Congregation Kol Haverim,1079 Hebron Avenue,Glastonbury,CT06033. They have graciously offered the use of the social hall for our purpose.
Our meeting schedule is a follow:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Doors open at 6:00 we will start at 6:45.
Don’t forget Sunday March 18, 2012. Join us as we kick off ‘The Walk of 2012’.
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