Lawrence Journal-World 04 05 14

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L A W R E NC E

Journal-World

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LJWorld.com

SATURDAY • APRIL 5 • 2014

‘SportQuest’ suggested as name for rec center

‘It became reality that I could die from this’

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Corporate title sponsor recommended to city, in addition By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com

Lawrence, get ready for a quest. A city-hired consulting firm is recommending that the city’s new multimillion dollar recreation center be named SportQuest at Rock Chalk Park. “We’re on a quest for a healthy lifestyle,” said Jana Dawson, an executive with the Lawrence-based Miller Meiers marketing firm that has recommended the name. “The kind of venue we are putting in place will help people on that quest.” SportQuest at Rock Chalk Park, however, would only be part of the name. Consultants also are recommending that the city seek a title sponsor. In that case, a corporate name would be inserted in front of the SportQuest at Rock Chalk Park phrase.

Nick Krug/Journal-World Photos

LAWRENCE RESIDENT DAVID JENSEN BREATHES in and out Wednesday for Dave Dempsey, a registered respiratory therapist at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Jensen, who is a frequent visitor to the hospital, this time for severe bronchitis, suffers from alpha-1 and is awaiting a double lung transplant. Jensen says his lungs are operating at less than 10 percent of their capacity.

Lawrence resident holds out hope for new lungs, new life ON JENSEN’S right shoulder is a tattoo of his 8-year-old son, Isaac Hartz-Jensen. Jensen says he and his son often talk about the things they will do together after his transplant.

By Sara Shepherd Twitter: @saramarieshep

David Jensen is waiting. Waiting for new lungs and a new life. In the nearly 20 years since doctors diagnosed the Lawrence resident with a genetic disorder known as alpha-1, Jensen’s lungs have degenerated, slowly taking with them his strength, livelihood, financial stability and independence. Jensen, 53, would like to get those back. He believes he’s very close,

even as his physical condition slips farther away.

Please see REC, page 2A

lll

School finance bill passes with bipartisan vote

Jensen, wearing blue jeans and a sleeveless black T-shirt, is sitting on the edge of his bed at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he’s spent the past several weeks fighting severe bronchitis. Tubes snake around his nose and ears. Explaining how he got there, Jensen stops every few sentences, squeezes in several long sips of

By Peter Hancock phancock@ljworld.com

Please see LUNGS, page 2A

Senate sends health care compact to governor By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com

The Senate on Friday sent to Gov. Sam Brownback a bill that could put the state in charge of federal health care programs in Kansas, including Medicare. State Sen. Mary PilcherCook, R-Shawnee, said the

measure was needed because the federal health care system under the Affordable Care Act was imploding. “When we go knocking on doors, and people ask, ‘What are you doing to help us with our health care?’, this is a great answer,” Pilcher-Cook said. House Bill 2553 would allow Kansas to join a com-

Business Classified Comics Deaths

Low: 40

Today’s forecast, page 10A

majority in the House, are able to win a majority in the Senate in the November elections. Eight states have passed the compact legislation. Pilcher-Cook said the Affordable Care Act threatened the nation’s health care system. Please see HEALTH, page 2A

INSIDE

Sunny, warmer

High: 62

pact with other states that would decide how to spend federal health care funds. It was approved in the Senate 29-11. Only Republicans voted for the measure. The compact could only take effect if approved by both chambers of Congress, which Pilcher-Cook said may be possible if Republicans, who already have a

2A 7B-10B 12B 2A

Events listings Faith Forum Horoscope Opinion

5A, 2B Puzzles 8A Sports 11B Television 9A

Topeka — On a strong bipartisan vote, the Kansas House on Friday passed a school finance bill that adds $129 million in new money for public schools, setting the stage for what could be difficult negotiations with the Senate. The House bill provides full funding for “equalization” aid that helps poor districts hold down their property tax rates to fund capital outlay and loSCHOOLS cal option budgets. But it has almost none of the additional policy actions that conservative Republicans attached in the Senate. The Senate bill contains funding for

11B 1B-5B 10A, 2B

Former editor dies Bill Mayer, longtime member of the Journal-World news staff, died Thursday at 88. He worked at the paper for 60 years. Page 3A

Join us at Facebook.com/LJWorld and Twitter.com/LJWorld

Knowing Breast Cancer Thursday, April 10, LMH Auditorium Reception 5-6 p.m. (West Lobby) Program 6-8 p.m. featuring Megan Hill, Breast Cancer Survivor Dr. Cheryl Rice and Dr. Paul Kolkman, Lawrence General Surgery Dr. Sherri Soule, LMH Oncology Center Dr. Scott Thellman, Lawrence Plastic Surgery Dr. Ajay Tejwani, Lawrence Cancer Center Dr. Michael Sanders, Radiologic Professional Services

Please see SCHOOLS, page 10A

Join Lawrence Memorial Hospital for one woman’s moving story of her journey through recent breast cancer treatment. Physicians and other healthcare providers will share their expertise about diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer at each step along her journey. There will be a pre-program reception with refreshments and exhibits featuring LMH and other community partners who specialize in caring for the patient with cancer. Advance registration is requested. Free.

For more information or to enroll,

Call ConnectCare at (785) 749-5800 or visit us at lmh.org/knowingbreastcancer

Vol.156/No.94 22 pages


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