The CAMROSE BOOSTER, March 18, 2014 – Page 38
EICS engagement session By Dan Jensen
Elk Island Catholic Schools (EICS) will be meeting with interested stakeholders at St. Patrick School March 20 to plan ahead for continued quality Catholic education in Camrose. The meeting will be getting underway at 7:30 p.m. “Our vibrant Catholic schools continue to experience substantial growth,” said EICS superintendent Michael Hauptman. “The purpose of the meeting is to have discussion on our Camrose capital plan to effectively address increased enrollment opportunities in the future.” The event will include information presentations and opportunities for community feedback. “The EICS board of trustees is encouraging all interested community members to attend,” said Hauptman. “Among those present will be Verlyn Olson, QC, members of Camrose City council and EICS trustees and senior administration.” EICS, part of Alberta’s publicly funded education system, is committed to developing educational opportunities in the context of Gospel values. EICS is dedicated to providing quality, Catholic, faithbased learning environments to students of any background and faith where their skills and nurtured and celebrated by dedicated, caring staff.
Stasko shares importance of organ donation By Dan Jensen
Kathy Stasko offered a moving reminder of the importance of organ donation at the Kidney Foundation of Canada Camrose pioneer celebration dinner Feb. 19. The organs and tissues of Kathy’s youngest son, Kerry, were used to save or improve the lives of 40 people after he died from brain injury suffered on a drilling rig near Caroline at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary in July, 1997. Kerry and his brother were introduced to the subject of organ donation by his grandmother, who, before her death from cancer in 1996, sent them an article entitled Remember Me, in which the author gave instructions on what she wanted to be done with her body when she passed away. The author concluded by saying if they do all that she asked she will live forever. “We discussed at length what we might do if anything happened to one of us and we all signed our donor cards,” said Kathy. Shortly after Kerry’s death, the Stasko family received a letter from the coordinator from the human organ procurement and exchange program sharing how Kerry’s organs and tissues had been used. “It validated his decision totally,” said Kathy. “This information was shared at the celebration of life held to honour Kerry, providing comfort to both family and friends.” Kerry’s heart was transplanted into a 57-year-old man from the Edmonton area who, without the donation, would have succumbed to death himself. His liver was transplanted into a 40-year-old from the Edmonton area, while his pancreas was used for the pancreatic ilet program. His two kidneys were
Kathy Stasko gave a presentation on the importance of organ donation at the Kidney Foundation of Canada Camrose pioneer celebration dinner Feb. 19. The organs and tissues of Kathy’s son (framed photo) were used to save or improve the lives of 40 people.
transplanted into two Calgary residents, a 14-year-old and 40-year-old, enabling them to be free of dialysis that they were receiving three days a week. His lungs were transplanted into a 22-year-old father in Manitoba who, without them, would have succumbed to death. His bones were used to do bone grafting in the Calgary area, while his veins were preserved for those who needed coronary artery bypass grafting, as well as transplantation into the legs of individuals with poor
peripheral vascular circulation (they would have otherwise needed amputation). His knees and achilles tendons were saved for partial knee and achilles tendon transplants. The Staskos received a letter from the family of the 14-year-old who received one of Kerry’s kidneys, stating the blessing it was for her. “Everything from the start was such a big mountain for her to climb,” said the family. “As soon as she received her kidney donation she was up and about. Noth-
ing will ever bring your son back and the loss of a child is a tragic sorrow to you parents. We too came very close to this reality. I want the boy’s family to know how the life of a child was spared, to see how his life was renewed through hers, and for this we are very truly thankful.” The Staskos received regular updates from the heart recipient until he passed away after 5,958 days of new life. “We always celebrated his heart-a-versary but I know he cherished every one of those 5,958 days he got because of the transplant,” said the man’s daughter in a letter that let the Staskos know of his death. “In the last 16 years as I am sure you know from his letters, he retired, but not really, to his farm, with my mom. He walked me down the aisle. He was very proud when my sister graduated as a police officer. This past summer, my sister had a baby girl and he would make the 200 km round trip just for a cuddle. He treated my husband as the son he didn’t have. Most importantly, my mom was lucky enough to spend 45 years with a person she loved the most in this world. He was our biggest cheerleader in everything we did and spoiled us all rotten. We all thank you for this gift and send you our deepest sympathies for your loss.” Kathy encouraged everyone at the dinner who has been the recipient of a new kidney to drop a line to the donor’s family validating their decision. She also urged everyone to sign their donor card and discuss organ donation with other family members. “You don’t know when your what if will come,” she said.
Government makes it easier to donate organs The Redford government is making it easier for Albertans to register as organ donors, giving more hope to the hundreds in need of a life-changing transplant. Albertans will soon see wait times reduced for life-changing transplants with the proclamation of Bill 207, the Human Tissue and Organ Donation Amendment Act. The Act was originally introduced as a private member’s bill by MLA Len Webber. “Organ and tissue donation saves lives and we need to make sure Albertans know how important it is,” said Len Webber, MLA, Calgary-Foothills. “An online registry will make it easy for Albertans to provide their consent to donate, ensuring all Albertans who wish to donate make it known.”
The Act establishes a single agency to coordinate organ and tissue donations in Alberta, and creates a consent-to-donate registry. Albertans who are willing to donate their organs and/ or tissue will be able to do so either online or at their local registry when they go to renew their driver’s licence or other identification. “I want to thank MLA Len Webber for putting this vitally important legislation forward,” said Premier Alison Redford. “Our government is eager to do everything we can to reduce wait times for transplants and give Albertans in need access to the treatment that will save or drastically improve a life.” Minister of Health Fred Horne said the government wants to take aggressive action to increase tissue
and organ donation rates in Alberta. “By making it easier for Albertans to register their intent to donate and raise awareness of the need for donors, we can increase the number of organ donations in Alberta.” Up until the new Act was proclaimed, consent to donate needed to be provided in writing, dated, signed and witnessed, to be legally binding. Albertans could also sign the “Universal Donor Card” on the back of the government issued Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan card. Under the new Act, Albertans renewing their driver’s licences or other pieces of identification will be asked if they consent the donation of his or her tissue, organs or body. They then provide written consent, and the registry agent
transmits that information to the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Agency for inclusion in the online registry. The applicant will then receive a sticker that can be put on the driver’s licence or other identification to indicate they are a donor. Albertans will also be able to directly register online. “We are so pleased that the Government of Alberta listened to our concerns,” said Nancy MacDonald, Alberta Donates LIFE Coalition. “The sad fact is that many Albertans on organ donation wait lists die before a donor is found. This Bill will make a big difference in the lives of many Albertans waiting for transplants.” Alberta used to have 17 donors per one million of the population, but that has fallen over the past decade to less than 10. Ontario and
British Columbia both outperformed Alberta with a donor rate of 16.3 donors per million and 11.8 donors per million, respectively, in 2011. Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba have implemented online registries. While donor rates fluctuate, these provinces have successfully raised the public profile of the need to donate. The donation coordination agency is scheduled to be operational by 2015, with full IT system integration across the province within three to five years. Under the Building Alberta Plan, the government is investing in families and communities, living within its means, and opening new markets for Alberta’s resources to ensure it is able to fund the services that Albertans feel matter the most