A Second Chance Magazine (Womens Month Edition)

A Second Chance magazine

CHEF ALANA CARROLL

Alana Hunnicutt-Carroll, known as Chef Alana, started her love for cooking at the age of seven years old when she baked her first box cake on her own She became inspired that baking was part of science but the chemistry between the ingredients and baking was done out of love From that point on, she had so much confidence in herself that she began cooking breakfast for her and her siblings. The experience she had at a young age led her to appreciate and to understand how food can tell a story and convey cultural ideas, as well as how it brings people together.

Alana is now the Ceo of Klean Plate Catering, LLC dba Klean Plate Foods in Washington, D.C. She attended Stratford University School of Culinary Arts in 2003 where she practiced to gain her culinary knowledge. She is a selfproclaimed foodie who loves to cook all kinds of food including soul food and seafood her favorites. She also enjoys creating dishes for people who don't like to cook or just starting a healthy eating journey from her meal prep program Klean Body Foods.

CHEF ALANA CARROLL CHEF ALANA CARROLL

When she is not cooking, Alana a chronic Kidney disease warrior, two time kidney transplant recipient, and previous dialysis patients is always thinking of ways to advocate, educate, and support the Kidney community. She just launched her non-profit which will feed dialysis patients dietary therapy dialysis friendly meals to dialysis patients in underserved, disadvantaged neighborhoods as well as food deserts in the Washington D.C. area. She is a contributor to A Second Chance magazine where she shares recipes and advice about cooking to the Kidney community. She is also a member of a kidney support group that meets monthly to support and educate kidney warriors and their caretakers.

Chef Alana continues to think of ways she can create new culinary masterpieces and spend quality time with her family. Every meal that she creates reflects her values on healthy eating, providing not only excellent taste, but also nourishment for the mind, body, and soul .

“Klean Plate Foods, where passion and purpose meets your plate “ Follow Klean Plate Foods on IG @k.p.foods, @k.b.foods

FB Klean Plate Catering.

Words from Chef Alana

"My time in quarantine forced me to do some deep soul searching and I decided to stop running from myself. I turned around and embraced myself, had a deep conversation with the man above and decided to walk in my passion and purpose, and give 100% to my food business. Betting on myself is the best choice I could have made. Follow me along my journey while I put my all into growing my business by serving you the Klean Plate Foods way."

Dr. Christiane Francisco-Drake

Dr. Christiane Francisco-Drake is a general dentist currently residing in Atlanta, GA. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Christiane is a proud alumna of The Ohio State University. While in undergrad, she was active in various organizations and ministries including her church’s Usher Board and Food For the Soul homeless ministry, tutoring children of displaced families, and a member of Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In 2010, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. A year later, Christiane relocated to Baltimore, MD to pursue her doctorate of dental surgery degree at the first dental school in the world, University of Maryland Dental School. While at UMD, she continued to be active in service, serving as Community Service CoChair and later the Vice President of the Student National Dental Association. Her commitment to service gained her the Dean’s Outstanding Community Service Award upon graduating.

DR.CHRISTIANE FRANCISCO-DRAKE

Outside of dentistry, Christiane has a love for cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends (especially her husband and 4 pound Pomapoo, Olivia).

Dr. Francisco-Drake is currently the Dental Program Director of Good Samaritan Health Center of West Gwinnett in Norcross, GA and serves on the board of directors for the YNOTT? Foundation.

SHARRON SIMPSONROUSE

Passionate. Unique. Loyal Resilient These words are commonly used to describe Sharron S. Rouse. Sharron is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the education and nonprofit industries She is skilled in program coordination, leadership, community outreach, and curriculum development.

A native of the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, she has dedicated her life to influencing the world as a kidney disease, dialysis, and now transplant survivor. Sharron actively shares her story to bring hope and healing to anyone facing difficult circumstances in life. In 2022, she started SR Consulting Services LLC to provide support to educational and healthcare businesses and organizations

To expand the scope of her reach, Sharron founded Kindness for Kidneys International, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to educating, encouraging, and empowering kidney warriors and their families. With the support of the community, Kindness for Kidneys has gained national attention for their monthly support groups and annual holiday drives. Sharron remembers what it was like to be on dialysis during the holiday season, which is why Kindness for Kidneys serves over 500 kidney warriors and counting each year. Their annual Holiday Drive has been featured on local ABC and NBC news outlets.

D E T E R M I N E D P A S S I O N A T E C O M M I T E D

Sharron has been a guest speaker for several national and international educational and business-related conferences. She currently serves on the NIH/NIDDK Safety and Monitoring Board for the System Interventions to Achieve Early and Equitable Transplants (STEPS) study. As an ambassador for the American Association of Kidneys

Patients (AAKP) and the American Kidney Fund, she has participated in many patient panel discussions, served as a guest speaker, exhibitor, and Co-Chair for the 2019 and 2020 AAKP National Patient Meetings, was a peer mentor for dialysis warriors at Emory University Hospital, and has represented the state of Maryland for Capitol Hill advocacy days in Washington, DC.

Sharron’s hard work and devotion to serving the community has granted her numerous awards including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2020 and 2022, Who’s Who in American Education recognition, Honorable Mention for the Lyfebulb/CVS Kidney Care Innovation Challenge, the AAKP Support Group of the Year award, and the Second Chance Show’s Prima Award. Sharron lives in Maryland with her husband

Shawn and daughter Kyla.

Shirley Brill

In 2005, shortness of breath was thefirstindicationthatIwasfacing a medical problem in my life. Initially,Iignoredthesymptomand felt it was the additional weight I was carrying. As a fifth grade teacher who easily went up and down stairs 3-4 times daily, the task now becomes more difficult and the need to walk at a slower pace presented itself After one more episode of heavy breathing oneSundayafteraworshipservice, I promised myself that I would make a visit to the emergency room. Sure enough, this agitating task of walking a short distance wasaconsistentproblem.

After several test at the ER, one thing noted was a drop in my oxygen saturation. I was told to follow up with my primary care doctor who saw me and prescribed a small tank that would supply supplemental oxygen at a low level of 2 liters and that made life so much easier. The shortness of breath wasbecomingmoreaggressive and an increase in my oxygen levelwasneededaccompanied byareferraltoapulmonologist.

Shirley Brill

By this time, I needed oxygen 24/7 – at home, in my classroom, during worship service at church, the grocery store…everywhere. Eventually, I started going through E tanks so quickly that I had concentrators in my home and classroom. The joys of a long life wasdiminishingbutafterextensive testing I was diagnosed with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or fibrosing alveolitis, is a rare, progressive illness of the respiratory system, characterized by the thickening and stiffening of lung tissue, associated with the formation of scar tissue. There is nocureforIPF,alungtransplantis mybestbetfortreatment.Actually thereisnochoicebutliveordie.

The routine visits to my pulmonologist was the beginning toextensiveevaluations,numerous inhalers and increases to my oxygenlevel.Becausetherewasno improvement to my condition, he suggested that I needed a lung transplant. Ha! Surely you are mistaken and I embraced the mindsetofdenial.Asecondopinion would certainly help my case and we would find a solution to stabilizingmybreathingandthings would be back to normal. Of course, I ended up with the same resultsandastimehadpassed,the situation worsened and I was referred to a transplant facility in my city. At first I was I had Interstitial Lung Disease and would qualify for lung transplant evaluation.

Shirley Brill

OnMay5,2008whilewatchingThe Price is Right, I received “the lifesaving call” that a lung was available and to head to the hospital.Iwassureitwasgoingto be a dry run so I coordinated my workout clothes Did I mention my daughter and three grandchildren just happened to be visiting from Memphis and just left to begin the drive back home. She left a quite expensivecamerahereandhadto return for the camera so she was able to drive me to the hospital where loyal friends were waiting for me to arrive. It was a go! Around 9:00pm, I was heading in for my surgery to receive a lung and with God’s blessing and the gift from my donor, prayers from my family, friends, pastor and churchfamily,Ireceivedadouble

The road to a lung transplant meant I had to lose close to 90 lbs.anditwasachievedwiththe help of diet and exercise with routine workouts at “the clinic.” Finally, I was listed and by January,2008mydiagnosiswas now ESLD (End Stage Lung Disease). Between 2005 and January,2008Iwasinandoutof thehospitalonaregularbasis,a collapsed left lung twice, of course my health would no longerallowteachingbutI would still make my way to church on Sunday mornings to give my glory to God on the instrument.

1)What caused you to start SODA National?

I became passionate about organ donation at a young age. In February of 2009, my older sister, Laura, suddenly passed away from a brain tumor. On the worst day of my life, my sister was able to save a life by donating her liver to a special education teacher named Trish.

During this dark time in my life, I felt hope from knowing that my sister saved a life, and soon became passionate about spreading the importance of organ donation with my peers At a young age, I spoke at driver’s education classes, to my youth group, and, of course, to my friends and family

When I went to college, it felt natural that I would get involved with organ donation, but there weren’t many ways I could advocate on a consistent basis with my peers and on campus So, I founded the first chapter of SODA in 2014

By 2017, other students reached out to me with interest to start SODA chapters on their campuses. I wanted to make sure saving lives was easy for other students, so we created SODA National to provide new student leaders with mentorship, supplies, event funding, how-to guides, and other resources to reduce the organ shortage.

Q & A with Sara Miller

2) What was the first school you made a official club on a university or high school campus

When I was in college at Washington University in St Louis, I started the first ever SODA chapter Since, we have expanded to 50 chapters and counting nationwide!

3) What goes on in a SODA meeting on various campuses?

Every chapter has two primary goals: educating students about organ donation and registering them as organ donors So, all SODA events and meetings work toward those goals

I find students are incredibly creative and thoughtful with the events they plan For example, SODA at Carmel High School invited Vanessa, a living kidney donor, to their school to share her story with their peers Chris, Vanessa’s recipient, joined the meeting virtually, so everyone could hear the recipient perspective, too

4) How is soda funded

We are funded through the generosity of community partners, foundations, and individuals Actually, this week we are launching our new monthly giving program called “The Lifesavers” It’s perfect for transplant advocates who are interested in making a sustained impact on the organ shortage. You can learn about it at sodanational.org/donate and join for as little as $3 per month

5) What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the time SODA has been a active organization?

When I think about SODA, I think about a platform for change. What I mean by that is the SODA gets to support hundreds of passionate students nationwide who are all passionate about organ donation for different reasons. It’s a pleasure to be able to be a platform and support system for these incredible students who are changing and saving lives every day.

6) You hired Nicole Nidea as your first full-time employee. How did that relationship start and how did it lead to her being the one?

Nicole and I met when we were in college–we led SODA at Washington University in St Louis together! Back then, I was impressed with her dedication, passion, and strategic orientation A few years later, Nicole reached out to me to see if we needed help fundraising I was thrilled to bring Nicole onto our team as a volunteer, and within six months, we had raised enough to bring Nicole onboard full time!

Nicole has a unique ability to stay focused while working on big goals Since she joined the team, we ’ ve grown 250% and created several new programs, like our scholarships and event fund I am so grateful to Nicole for her leadership, vision, and focus - we wouldn’t be where we are today without her

7) What are you looking forward to SODA doing in the future?

At SODA, we have a very specific focus - helping student organ donation advocates save lives. What I’m most excited about is bringing our chapters and events to more high school,college, and graduate school campuses nationwide. We’re planning to reach 100 chapters by 2024!

8)If your sister was alive today what do you think she would tell you today?

Thanks for asking My hope is that Laura would be in awe of both the impact she had on Trish, the woman who received her liver, as well as on SODA. Because of Laura, SODA has now educated more than 53,000 and registered more than 4,700 students That blows my mind!

19) What is the best way readers can get involved?

Reducing the organ shortage takes everyone ’ s effort. There are many ways to get involved! 1.

Become a monthly donor as part of our “Lifesavers” community You can learn more at sodanational org/donate!

Do you know who a student who is passionate about organ donation? Encourage them to start a SODA capter or host an event about organ donation They can learn more at sodanational org/students

T H E S T O R Y O F

DEEJAE DURANTE

DeeJae DuRante is a Live Stream Strategist and Coach. She is also an advocate and speaker from Central Florida Her subject area expertise includes: Live Streaming Strategy and Coaching Mental Health & Disability Advocacy Social Service and Social Leadership

DeeJae delivers high-energy live streams, workshops, and presentations to provide creatives and changemakers, who struggle to feel visible, find their voice, grow communities, and amplify their message via live streaming. In her career of over 20 years, with a degree in Psychology, DeeJae has worked as a certified child welfare worker, a mental health case manager, career service advocate and most recently a disability navigator before entering her journey into entrepreneurship.

Deejae is also a proud military veteran and served in the United States Air Force

Deejae has been live streaming (and podcasting) for over 3 years She first started live streaming as a passion project as a way to advocate for individuals she was serving as a Disability Navigator working under the State Workforce board

As a host, she interviewed others about their mental health, disability, and trauma, experienced. This inspired her to start a business to encourage and teach others to find their voice, increase their presence and share their powerful missions, for the greater social good thru the medium of live streaming.

She is dedicated about coaching and helping business creatives, design their live streams, learn strategies and create efficient systems for their brands and businesses to launch and maintain their live streams.

DeeJae is also an active Toastmaster and enjoys serving as a Leader She is currently Area Director and is in her second year as Vice President of Public Relations for her home club. DeeJae also is also a co-host on the District 84 Synergy Podcast team with hopes of being Podcast Chair next year and is a mentor for an advanced Podcasting club She has served her community in a variety of capacities thru diverse social services and complex systems. She enjoys encouraging awareness and facilitates workshops and presentations on a variety of related issues

A Fighter is Someone Who Rises Up, Even When The Odds Are Stacked Against Them

Lorrinda Gray-Davis

Lorrinda Gray-Davis’ board experience and her work ethic provide her with the perfect background to serve as TRIO National President Lorrinda has always exhibited integrity and a commitment to the community. She will make sure the voice of the patient is always at the table. As a critical thinker she brings others together by building trust through outreach and education

Lorrinda’s background as a Director of Diversity honed her leadership skills through various roles in numerous organizations. She has served as a board member for Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO), founder and president of TRIO-Oklahoma Chapter. She has served as board chair for the Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (PSWMSDC) board member and secretary of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West. Lorrinda was inducted to the Nevada Women’s Chamber Hall of Fame and has been recognized by the U.S. Senate and Congress for her outstanding work in diversity.

LORRINDA GRAY-DAVIS

A diagnoses of fatty liver disease in 2014 began Lorrinda’s patient experience and hastened her move back to Oklahoma to be closer to family In 2017 she was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer and needed a transplant. Lorrinda went to NazihZuhdi Transplant Institute Integris Baptist where they treated her liver cancer with a TACE procedure She was listed in February of 2018 and was transplanted August 8, 2018. Lorrinda went into emergency surgery 4 days post transplant because of internal bleeding Since that time, she has undergone a TAVR procedure to replace her Aortic Valve

As a patient, Lorrinda recognized the need for peerto-peer meetings. She started and moderates support group meetings every Tuesday and Thursday The meetings have pre-and posttransplant patients sharing their experience and dispelling myths. This results in having a better understanding for patients’ pre-transplant and helps post- transplant patients heal from sharing their experience.

Lorrinda mentors’ liver cancer patients with Immerman Angels, and advocates for LifeShare and is an Ambassador for UNOS. She serves on the national public policy committee for TRIO and has conducted outreach with politicians both locally and nationally regarding patient needs. She has served as an HHS panelist and is active with Part D outreach, American Liver Foundation and Global Liver Institute Capitol Hill Day and worked on a patient facing document on women’s health for the American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases

Currently, she serves on the Patient Affairs Committee for UNOS Region 4 and Global Liver Institute patient A-3 Alumni

She has spoken about her transplant experience to patients locally, regionally, and nationally. Lorrinda founded TRIOOklahoma, has one-on-one meetings with pre-and post-transplant patients, advocates for others, and brings the message of organ transplantation to minority groups.

My name is Audrey Bella Langston, and I am a retired Chicago Police Officer, mother and grandmother. My journey with kidney disease began in 1993 Iwent on a weekend trip with friends for my birthday and suddenly became very ill. Physically, I was in the best shape of my life. At that time, however, I began experiencing symptoms such as extreme fatigue, nausea, severe headache and a frequent pressure to urinate with very little output

By the next morning, my symptoms had worsened, and I was rushed back to the hospital in Chicago While enroute, I went completely blind I found out later that my vision loss was due to a dangerously high blood pressure. After immediate admission to the hospital, the doctors did a biopsy of my kidney, and I was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

AUDREY BELLA LANGSTON

I was devastated by this news As a new police officer and single mom of two, I thought my life and career were over. After discharge, I returned to the hospital for frequent follow-up visits with my new nephrologist. However, instead of wallowing in self-pity, I decided to educate myself on my illness. I joined forces with the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and eventually became one of their main public speakers.I also dedicated my time to The Gift of Hope and became a member of Illinois Secretary of State’s, Jesse White’s, task force team called Life Goes On.

AUDREY BELLA LANGSTON

This task force maintains a mission to strengthen Illinois’ Organ/Tissue Donor Registry through outreach and registration initiatives I’m proud and grateful for how God has used my shortcomings with my health to educate and enlighten others on the importance of organ donation and transplantation. In addition to the above, I also co-chair Tampa General Hospital’s Transplant Patient Advisory Council, I’m an Organizer for Florida’s organ procurement organization, Lifelink, and I host my own podcast titled Bella’s Hope for Healing.

It was eight years after my diagnosis that my illness advanced to the point of being placed on the transplant waiting list – a minimum of five years waiting at the time in the state of Illinois! I had several false starts regarding potential living donors, and it progressed to the point where I could no longer avoid dialysis. I chose to do peritoneal dialysis which was more suitable for my lifestyle I was only on dialysis for about six months before my 24-year-old godson, Roger Reynolds, offered to become a living donor through donating one of his kidneys. He was a perfect match!

They scheduled the transplant for Friday, March 4, 2005, at Northwestern Hospital. Roger went home the very next day, and I was able to go home that Sunday, March 6th, just in time to celebrate my birthday! On March 14th of this year, I celebrated my kidneys 17th Kidneyversary! I have never felt better in my life, and Roger is doing wonderful. I thank my godson often for blessing me with the Gift of Life. All those years ago little did I know that God brought him into my life to SAVE IT! 11

CHARDAE "PRIMA" SANDERS NOV 6TH, 1986FEB 13, 2021

Chardae "PRIMA" Sanders was a one of kind and dynamic woman. She Loved her family to moon and back especially her Mom "MAMA Prima"

Prima was a Phenomenal Woman who cared more about other people smiling than her own happiness, many times she would be in great Pain and go in the Dialysis Clinic and do her Twirl to bring some laughter in a very sad place. The patients said they felt better because she was there! She spent many times in the Hospital on her Birthday but as always she made any situation Sparkle. Its Safe to say we need more people in the world Like Prima.

A Second Chance wants to thank "MAMA PRIMA" for allowing us to honor Chardae in the special edition for such awesome women .

Culinary Corner with Chef Alana Carroll

A note from Chef Alana:

As Spring quickly approaches, I’m excited to share a recipe from one of the first ripe fruits in the spring Strawberries.

It’s also good to note Strawberries are a low potassium food, containing 130 mg for ½ cup. They are also low in sodium and phosphorus making them a good choice for dialysis patients as well as kidney transplant patients.

Recipe: Strawberry salsa

Serves 4 Ingredients

• Juice and zest from 1 medium lime

• 1 ½ teaspoons honey or maple syrup

• Pinch of salt (optional)

• 1 pint of strawberries, hulled and diced

• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped

• ½ small red onion, chopped and rinsed

• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

In a large bowl, whisk together the lime juice and zest, honey and salt. Stir in the strawberries, jalapeño, onion and cilantro. Add pepper, to taste, and mix well.

Motivation With Fred Hill

Winning Women

It is a great feeling to win. Many define winning as the opposite of losing. The truth is, winning is so much more. Waking up every morning is a win. Being able to eat a meal daily is a win. Knowing that someone loves you is a win. Not giving up is a win. Winning is not always identified through competition. You have the power to define the wins in your life. It’s time to recognize the accomplishments and the things in your life that you are proud of and grateful for and define them as wins. In doing so, this will allow you to know that you have been winning all your life. You were born to win. You won the race in fertilizing your mother’s womb. Winning is in your DNA. Winners learn from every loss, mistake and failure to become better. So, hold on to your winner’s medal and continue to stand tall in the winner’s circle. You are a winner and always remember that “Winners

Hill

Win.”

Fred

Seer Spotlight By Jennifer Ford

Empower Encouragement Support

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