2014 CALENDAR I 2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Hope has a voice.
HOPE HAS A VOICE
LifeGift staff members gather together to raise their voice of hope. Above: North Region staff members. Right: West Region staff members. On the cover: Southeast Region staff members.
It is heard through the stories of transplant recipients, those who wait for lifesaving transplants and donor families. Sometimes the voice is soft, calm and comforting, like that of a mother reassuring her young son that one day soon, he, too, will receive a lifesaving transplant. And other times, hope’s voice is reminiscent and proud, like that of a donor family who looks back fondly at the life of their loved one with sweet memories, beaming with pride that life was not lost in vain. Hope’s voice never breaks. It never falters and is always steady, even when it seems beyond repair. LifeGift invites you to listen to these voices of hope on the pages that follow. Hope, indeed, has a voice.
We offer hope.
– Anonymous
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Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.
DEAR FRIENDS, The year 2013 was a year of transition for our organization. Many changes have taken place – from the way we operate internally to the way we engage with our transplant centers and other community partners. Throughout all of these transitions, one common theme continued to emerge: LifeGift offers hope and we do so compassionately, passionately and professionally. We offer hope to those waiting for organ, tissue and cornea transplants across Texas and the United States. From October 2012 to September 2013, LifeGift helped to facilitate 1,005 transplants for 929 people, returning them to their families, their jobs, their communities and their lives.
Vision
Mission
LifeGift envisions a community where every person says “yes” to organ and tissue donation.
LifeGift strives to save and enhance lives by maximizing organ and tissue donation.
VALUES s Honesty and integrity s The building of trust through collaboration, personal responsibility and accountability s Compassionate care and sensitivity to families s The abilities, dedication and professionalism of each team member s The many cultural, religious and personal beliefs within our community
We offer hope to grieving family members of those who selflessly gave the gift of life so that others may live. Throughout this last year, we helped hundreds of grieving families, ranging from parents to siblings to children of donors. We consider this an immense privilege and incredible responsibility. And we offer hope to each other. Over the past year, the three organ procurement organizations across Texas strengthened their relationships. We have worked to create more interdependence with our hospitals and partner agencies, as well as among our own regional offices – becoming One LifeGift. With the help of the Department of Public Safety and its commitment to help us grow the Donate Life Texas Registry, there are now close to 5 million registered organ, eye and tissue donors. As we head into 2014, we have so much more to be hopeful for. In July, thousands of transplant recipients, donor families, living donors and supporters will gather in Houston for the Donate Life Transplant Games of America. This celebration of life and love will be a catalyst to help us achieve 8 million donors on the Donate Life Texas Registry by the year 2016. In the next year, we will be working diligently to improve our training, our quality systems and our cultural competency so that we can be more effective in achieving our mission for the community. On the pages that follow, you will find incredible stories of life, loss, love and renewal. While each story is unique, hope shines through them all.
s The right of individuals to make informed decisions about their health care and organ and tissue donation
Thank you for your support during this transitional year. We wish you the very best in 2014.
s An organ and tissue recovery process of the highest quality
With warm regards,
s The efficient recovery and distribution of transplantable organs and tissue
Kevin A. Myer, MSHA
s The equitable allocation of donated organs and tissues
President and CEO
Joseph DeLeon, MPA Chair, Board of Directors
929 Number of lives saved across three LifeGift regions.
Organs Recovered For Fiscal Year 2013
993 48
Hearts
Kidneys
Livers
Pancreas
Pancreas Islets
Small Intestines
91
Total Organs Recovered
487
2
211 4
Lungs
150 Total for hearts includes heart/lung. Total for kidneys includes En Bloc donations counted twice. Total for livers includes liver segments. Double lungs counted twice for lung total.
from Oct. 1, 2012, to Sept. 30, 2013
Organ Donors For Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30)
When asked to donate
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%
in LifeGift’s service area said “yes” to organ donation.
2010
283
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306
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307
2013
276
Tissue Donors For Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30) 2010
1,046
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977
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1,035
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1,025
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Hope Travels: Organs Shared by LifeGift For Fiscal Year 2013 (Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013)
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of LifeGift’s organs were shared with patients outside the LifeGift service area.
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Organ Transplants Performed
Patients Waiting for Organ Transplants
National*
LifeGift**
2,378
117
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16,486
448
801
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234
Lung
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168
Pancreas
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Heart-Lung Kidney‡ Kidney-Pancreas
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Heart
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United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and LifeGift numbers for Calendar Year 2012
National*
LifeGift**
3,630
257
49
4
105,427
3,466
2,121
76
Liver
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1,050
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‡ Kidney transplants from deceased donors
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(living-related not included)
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Heart Heart-Lung Kidney Kidney-Pancreas
Based on a snapshot of UNOS and LifeGift waiting lists as of Oct. 23, 2013
* All U.S. transplant centers ** LifeGift-affiliated transplant centers
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AMBASSADORS OF HOPE: People and Events of 2013
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HOUSTON – LifeGift Tissue Donation Specialist Charles Wiltz sports a Donate Life flag as he prepares to participate in the 2013 Chevron Houston Marathon in January. Charles and several others from LifeGift ran, walked or volunteered during the Marathon in conjunction with the Todd Krampitz Foundation. The Foundation was established by Julie and Todd Krampitz while Todd was waiting for a lifesaving liver in 2004. Todd received a liver, but unfortunately lost his battle with liver cancer in 2005. Julie has continued the Foundation in Todd’s memory, fighting for more awareness of organ, tissue, bone marrow and blood donation.
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FORT WORTH – In February, Kelsey Arnold and her young son, Tyler, light a candle during the donor memorial service in memory of Rusty Arnold, a Parker County sheriff. Rusty saved the lives of many through his gifts of organ, eye and tissue donation.
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HOUSTON – Vital Volunteer and donor mom Nancy Rodriguez worked with LifeGift to create a display about donation for her place of business, the Harris County Library – Clear Lake branch. The display tells the story of Nancy’s daughter, Fernandita, “Fergy,” who at just 15 months old became a hero to many when she became a tissue donor. The exhibit also shares the stories of Shannon Lenox, also a donor mom, Brandon Chinn, a kidney recipient, and Alejandro Mata, a heart recipient.
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HOUSTON – LifeGift held its annual Celebration of Life on April 5 in the Texas Medical Center. The Donate 4 Life Foundation, founded by donor parents and Vital Volunteers Michael and Sheree Jones, shared its Organ Donor Hall of Fame at the event – a traveling exhibit that tells the stories of organ, eye and tissue donors from across the country. It was also on display in Austin for Donate Life Day at the Capitol.
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LUBBOCK – Donation champions at Covenant Health participated in a Donate Life flag-raising ceremony to kick off National Donate Life Month in April. Despite the unseasonably chilly weather, LifeGift and Covenant gathered together to pay honor to organ, eye and tissue donors.
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FORT WORTH – LifeGift President and CEO Kevin Myer addresses attendees at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth at the annual Wall of Life event in April. During this event, new names of donors are unveiled on the wall, and they are remembered for their precious gifts. Kevin told the audience that LifeGift is part of a community of interdependent bridges, providing hope for more than 11,000 Texans waiting for lifesaving organ and tissue transplants and countless others who are waiting for cornea transplants.
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FORT WORTH – Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price made a guest appearance at LifeGift’s 2nd Chance Run in May. Nearly 1,000 runners and walkers participated in the 11th annual 5K race, setting a LifeGift record. Participants ran or walked in memory of a donor, in honor of a transplant recipient or for someone waiting for a transplant.
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LUBBOCK – LifeGift held appreciation events for all of its Vital Volunteers. Each volunteer was given a LifeGift lapel pin, which symbolizes, despite the geographical distance of the regions, that the organization is One LifeGift, with a common purpose – to offer hope. Long-time Vital Volunteers Juan and Terri Contreras (left) receive a LifeGift lapel pin from LifeGift President and CEO Kevin Myer.
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HOUSTON – Brian Gilliam, heart recipient and Vital Volunteer, accepts the Lasting Impression Award from LifeGift’s Beatrice Hodgson during the Vital Volunteer appreciation event in June. This award is given to a volunteer who impacts the donation and transplantation community in a significant way through his or her contributions. Brian received the award for his leadership role in promoting Houston as the site for the 2014 Donate Life Transplant Games of America.
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HOUSTON – Throughout the year, LifeGift orchestrated several recipient and donor family meetings. On Saturday, Aug. 17, Madhu Vashist met the family of his heart donor, Quintana Patterson. Quintana was only 18 years old when she became a donor and saved the lives of five people, including Madhu. Her 4-year-old son, Zamarion, had the opportunity to listen to his mom’s heart.
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AMARILLO – In November, a donor memorial service was held in Amarillo for families of local organ, eye and tissue donors. Tina Young, an Amarillo-area donor mother, shared her family’s experience with organ donation, after her daughter, Stephanie Young, became an organ donor in July of 2011 at the age of 18. LifeGift hosted these types of events in Houston, Lubbock and Fort Worth to pay tribute to those who gave the gift of life throughout the year.
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HOUSTON – In late September, Houston hosted a group of team managers from across the country to meet about the Donate Life Transplant Games of America. The group heard from Bill Ryan, president and CEO of the Transplant Games, and toured the different venues where competitions and special events will take place. The opening ceremonies begin on July 12, 2014, at BBVA Compass Stadium.
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Partners in Hope
KEY MILESTONES on the evolution of the Donate Life Texas Registry
This past year, the Donate Life Texas Registry reached nearly 5 million organ, eye and tissue donors, offering a glimmer of hope to the thousands who wait for lifesaving transplants. The Registry started in 2006 with 172,000 registrants. The uptick in registered donors can be attributed to the hard work of our partners in hope – namely the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). A true champion for donation, the DPS allowed Donate Life Texas to conduct training for its new employees. As a result, the Donate Life Texas Registry is one of only two registries in the nation to exceed 150,000 registrations in a single month.
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2009
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Registry created; 172,000 registrants at the end of first year.
Registered 22,213 per month in 2009, surpassing total registrants in all of 2006-2008 combined.
DPS relationship strengthened. Added another 4,000 registrations per month.
Continued support from the DPS. Several months with 150,000 or more registrations during the year. Last quarter of 2013, registrations reached more than 4.6 million.
Additionally, the $1 donations collected at the DPS will go directly into the Donate Life Texas fund. These funds allow DPS to further support our efforts to increase visibility of the Donate Life message in state, regional and local offices. LifeGift Vital Volunteers, our transplant centers, community and hospital partners also contributed to the success of the registry in 2013. With 2014 upon us, the year of the much-anticipated Donate Life Transplant Games of America in Texas, we are surely on our way to reaching 8 million registrants by 2016!
24
%
of the adult population in Texas are registered donors.
}
2010
2012
Registrants tripled after Texas Legislature simplified the question about donation asked at the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
DPS training implemented; continued support from the DPS. Added another 7,000 registrations per month. Numbers began to climb.
ON TRACK
We’re on track to reach our goals and we’re gaining quickly on California. At the end of 2012, California was at 34% of adult population registered as donors, and Texas was at 17%. Florida led the states with 45%, while New York was at 20%. Over 18 Population
Total Registered
Percentage of Adult Population
FL
15,315,088
7,358,672
48.0%
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28,801,211
10,574,343
36.7%
TX
19,073,564
4,578,506
24.0%
NY
15,307,107
3,320,000
21.5%
Building a Community of Hope Transplant Games Coming to Houston On July 11, 2014, the largest group of individuals touched by organ, eye and tissue donation will descend on Houston, Texas, for a celebration of hope like no other – the Donate Life Transplant Games of America. Participants will include transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, medical professionals and community supporters who believe in the cause. A multi-sport festival event, the Transplant Games of America shows the world that transplantation is a treatment that does indeed work. Transplant recipients and living donors have the opportunity to participate in traditional events, including basketball, swimming, golf and volleyball. The Transplant Games of America is much more than an athletic event. Its goal is to create awareness of the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donation, not only in Texas, but across the nation. It is a celebration of life for all involved. Produced by the Transplant Games of America, the 2014 event will be hosted by Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, the organization that works to bring in the Super Bowl. This top-notch event will attract more than 6,000 visitors to the Lone Star State and the great city of Houston. Opening ceremonies will take place on July 12, 2014, at BBVA Compass Stadium. For more information about the Transplant Games of America and how to get involved, visit www.transplantgamesofamerica.org.
Nora’s Home for Transplant Families Now Open A fully furnished facility with proximity to the Texas Medical Center, Nora’s Home offers transplant patients and their families an affordable place to stay where they can find support and share experiences with others. Designed specifically for transplant recipients and their families, the home includes 16 private bedrooms and baths, a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, meditation room, community room, an education center and free shuttle services to the medical center. “The missions of LifeGift and Nora’s Home closely mirror each other in that we both offer hope to transplant recipients and those on the waiting list,” said Kevin Myer, president and chief executive officer of LifeGift. “Interdependency among organizations in the transplantation community is key to providing the best possible outcomes for those we serve. LifeGift looks forward to deepening its partnership with Nora’s Home and similar organizations in our service areas.” Nora’s Home opened its doors in November and will have an official grand opening celebration in February. LifeGift is proud to partner with Nora’s Home.
Reaching Minorities Minorities, specifically in Texas, make up more than half of the transplant waiting list. In contrast, a much smaller percentage register as donors or authorize donation for their loved ones, because of cultural barriers, religious beliefs, misperceptions or health literacy deficiencies. As the state’s demographic makeup continues to change with an increase in the number of Hispanics, Asians, African-Americans, Pacific-Islanders and other ethnic groups calling Texas home, how we educate multicultural populations about donation is shifting as well. “The one message for all does not work at the community level,” said LifeGift’s Kevin Myer, who has done extensive research and analysis on health disparities among minorities. “To segment, to specify, to impact the community for positive change, you must understand the many changing characteristics of the community, including race, ethnicity, location, mobility, health, morbidity and mortality.” The organ procurement industry is beginning to acknowledge and embrace cultural variation among donation service areas, to prepare for increasing cultural diversity across the nation. “By recognizing our differences and customizing our messages, we have the power to inspire families, neighborhoods and communities to Donate Life,” Myer said.
RYLAN KARRER
Waiting for a Heart I Texas Children’s Hospital I Houston, Texas
ANDRE JOHNSON
Houston Texans Wide Receiver
014
Hope is taking action.
It’s not every day you get to meet your favorite football player. But for RYLAN KARRER, age 11, meeting Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson was even more of a rarity: Rylan has been homebound, waiting for a new heart, since the end of 2011. It can’t be easy for a kid who loves swimming, football and baseball. “I just want to run and play,” he said. But Rylan keeps a positive attitude about his illness. “Hope is when something bad is happening and you have a
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National Blood Donor Month National Thank You Month
little feeling of happiness because you know you can do something.” “Something” includes attending school again via video chat on a rolling VGo robot, named Andre Johnson, which he controls from his home computer. This year, Rylan also plans to start a club to help kids like him who are in the hospital or homebound. Rylan with his brother, Dakotah, and sisters Andreya and Jenna, along with Texans rep Amy Palcic
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BRANDON PRITCHARD
Kidney Recipient I March 13, 2012 I Cook Children’s Medical Center I Fort Worth, Texas
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Hope is a future.
BRANDON PRITCHARD desperately needed a kidney transplant. After spending more than a year on dialysis – four hours at a time, three times a week – he received the gift of life from Brody Fleming, 24, a Plano firefighter who died of a stroke in 2012. Now 19, Brandon has the energy to shoot hoops and work his way through college. He plans to become an ophthalmologist.
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“I want to be able to help people any way possible. I want to finish college, and have a family of my own some day.”
Brandon and his father, Bryan
Brandon’s already a part of two families – he’s the oldest of nine kids, and the unofficial “third son” of his donor’s parents, since their emotional meeting last year.
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Donor Parents I Lubbock, Texas
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JAMES and SHERRY GRUSENDORF
Hope eases grief.
MELISSA CANALE, 41, was always smiling and always helping others. An assistant principal at Atkins Middle School and a Sunday school teacher at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, she clearly adored her students.
and Sherry. But by registering as an organ and tissue donor, Melissa kept other families from suffering the same grief.
Melissa’s greatest treasure was her family. In December 2010, she died after complaining of a headache and earache that later caused an infection in her brain. She left a gaping hole in the hearts of her husband, David, their children, Ford and Ella, and her parents, James
“We were so honored that Melissa chose to be a donor,” Melissa’s parents said. “It did help ease the pain of her death knowing part of her would help others continue to live.”
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Melissa Canale Organ, Tissue and Eye Donor Dec. 2, 2010
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National Kidney Month National Eye Donor Month National Social Work Month
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DAWN CLAY, LVN
Kidney and Pancreas Recipient I July 12, 2013 I Waiting for a Second Pancreas I Houston Methodist Hospital I Houston, Texas
014
Hope achieves dreams.
DAWN CLAY, age 32, dreamed of growing her family and of becoming a registered nurse. But renal failure stood in her way. She had to drive an hour and a half to Houston for doctor’s appointments each week to avoid paying for lodging on top of medical bills. A kidney and pancreas transplant changed that. Dawn has more time with her husband, Shawn, and their son, Shawn Jr. – and the chance to pursue her dreams.
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“Hope allows you to dream, set goals and achieve them,” Dawn said. “Hope will take me further.”
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For follow-up treatment, she’s able to stay Dawn and her son, Shawn Jr. close to the hospital at Nora’s Home: the first home for transplant patients and families in Houston. While Dawn’s body rejected the new pancreas in late 2013, her kidney is still strong, and she is hopeful for a second pancreas transplant.
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Donor Family I Kaufman, Texas
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KEVIN, KARI and KODY ROUGH
Hope leads us.
MEAGAN “MAY” ROUGH, 19, was the girl who went out of her way to include everyone; who gave up her summer earnings at Camp Ozark to help pay fees for kids who couldn’t afford to go; and who volunteered hundreds of hours for many organizations. She was a talented athlete with a strong faith, studying to become a doctor at Texas Tech University, and dreaming of one day having a big family. A drunk driver took all that away.
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Meagan “May” Rough May’s parents, Kevin and Kari, Organ Donor and her brother, Kody, though Dec. 7, 2012 suffering from overwhelming grief, didn’t hesitate to donate her organs.
“She voiced her thoughts of donation as being the most incredible gift,” Kari said. “Nothing will bring our precious loved one back to us, but these gifts of life gave someone else theirs.”
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JACQUELINE NIX, RN
Intensive Care Unit, JPS Health Network I Fort Worth, Texas
014
Hope is a higher purpose.
In May 2013, ICU nurse JACQUELINE NIX reported for her shift at JPS Health Network, where an unidentified patient – a bicyclist, brain dead after being hit by a car – had been assigned to her care. Moved by the thought of the family left in the dark, Jacqueline started making phone calls. She had little chance of finding them, but she was determined to try. An avid cyclist herself, Jacqueline remembered that some bike shops register bike’s serial numbers with the names of
the customers who buy them. That information helped the assigned police detective find the patient’s father. The patient had two grown daughters, who now had precious closure. His family donated his organs and saved three lives. “Hope for me is knowing that life is orchestrated for a higher purpose,” Jacqueline said. “Through organ donation, families of donors and recipients both experience hope.”
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CHARLINE CONGER
Heart Recipient I Nov. 29, 1989 I Ochsner Transplant Center I New Orleans, Louisiana
014
Hope is strength.
CHARLINE CONGER, at 52, was just starting a new stage of life – with her first grandchild on the way and a new husband at home – when she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and put on the waiting list for a heart in October 1989. As the weeks passed, she struggled to stay healthy enough for the transplant she wasn’t sure she would ever receive. But a week after Thanksgiving, a heart
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became available. Charline now has 26 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. This month, the 76-yearold is bowling for Team Texas in the Donate Life Transplant Games of America: a multi-event festival promoting organ, eye and tissue donation, taking place in Houston. “I smile all the time,” she said. “I am so glad to be alive and able to help others in some small way.”
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CHARLES WILTZ JR. GERALDINE WILTZ
Kidney Recipient I Sept. 29, 2004 I Houston Methodist Hospital I Houston, Texas
Hope never gives up.
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LifeGift Tissue Donation Specialist I Houston, Texas
Not only is CHARLES WILTZ JR., 34, a LifeGift tissue donation specialist and a 2012 Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour honoree, he’s also the son of both a recipient and a donor.
Inspired by the selflessness that saved his wife, Charles Wiltz Sr. Tissue Donor Charles Wiltz Sr. registered as a donor. When he May 29, 2012 died in 2012, his corneas gave sight to another and his tissues saved the lives of perfect strangers.
Kidney disease landed Charles’ mother, GERALDINE, on the transplant waiting list in 2002. Five transplant opportunities fell through before the elementary teacher finally received her gift in 2004.
“Let your loved one become a hero and a champion of donation,” encourages Charles Jr., who is raising two daughters with his wife, Jenifer. “Let them live through other people whose lives you can save.”
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CARMEN MIRELES
Donor Mother I Richland Hills, Texas
014
Hope lives on.
Every mother has dreams for her children. CARMEN MIRELES hoped her sons, Jacob and Benjamin, would touch people’s lives in some way. At age 21, BENJAMIN did just that when a 2003 accident cut his life short. An engineering student who loved restoring old cars, he often gave to others without expecting anything in return. As a registered organ and tissue donor, Benjamin saved a grandfather in Hemphill,
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Texas, with his heart, while his kidneys and tissues saved many more lives. “I stand in amazement how someone so young could have such a positive and powerful effect,” Carmen said. She now signs all her correspondence with Proud Donor Mother, and she has written several Benjamin Mireles children’s books, inspiring young Organ and Tissue Donor Sept. 13, 2003 people all across the country.
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RUBEN SALINAS
Liver Recipient I March 26, 2006 I Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center I Houston, Texas
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Hope is holding on.
In August 2005, RUBEN SALINAS and his wife, Marcela, received terrible news. Ruben had cancer; he needed a liver transplant. Life became a series of surgeries, chemotherapy sessions and radiation treatments. By Christmas, the 34-year-old had nearly lost hope of seeing his two children grow up, much less ever working in his vegetable garden again. But he kept praying for a miracle.
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Those prayers were answered with a 5 a.m. phone call one March morning. Eight years later, Ruben makes a point of enjoying simple joys like gardening and spending time with his family. “The wonderful revelation of going through something like this is so much more than being healthy,” he said. “It’s finding out how simple life is. Love God and your family and The Salinas family, make a difference in people’s lives. Diego, Ruben, Marcela and Valeria Don’t worry about the rest of it.”
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CRIS AND MISTY VENTO
Donor Parents I Carrollton, Texas
Hope is healing.
XANDER VENTO became a hero at age 4. He held his 3-year-old friend above the water when they slipped in over their heads at the neighborhood pool. But just a few seconds under water claimed Xander’s life. Parents Cris and Misty, and sisters Jade and Brooklyn, had to say goodbye to the boy voted “Most Loving” at his preschool. They found hope in donating his organs and tissues.“This has given me peace,” Cris said.
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“Hope is knowing that even in pain you can do something for others that gives them hope,” Misty said. She also finds comfort and hope in teaching water safety through the Fort Worth Drowning Prevention Coalition.
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Xander Vento Organ and Tissue Donor Aug. 9, 2012
“I choose to believe he lived out what he was destined to do. I feel honored to call him my son.”
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Hope is a gift.
Donor Daughter I Paradise, Texas
WILLIAM (WILL) SPIEKERMAN
Kidney Recipient I Oct. 18, 2011 I Cook Children’s Medical Center I Fort Worth, Texas
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BRENLIE BARNES
ASHLIE WRIGHT was a healthy, vibrant, horsebackriding 22-year-old, so it was a shock when she died of an aneurysm five months after giving birth to her daughter, Brenlie Barnes. Ashlie was a registered organ and tissue donor. She helped save the lives of 73 people, including 20-monthold Will Spiekerman, who received her kidney. Now Will, age 4, and Brenlie, age 3, share a special bond.
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Ashlie Wright “Hope for our family was waiting Organ and Tissue Donor for a hero,” Will’s mom, Katie, said. Oct. 16, 2011 “Hope is a gift, hope was Ashlie. It is our privilege to tell her story and share that hope, that spark, with others.”
Ashlie’s mother, Wendy Vann, is just as moved. “I look at Will, and I know that part of my daughter still lives.”
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Hope starts here at the Donor Resource Center
31,925 death referrals received*
8,938
medically suitable donors identified*
7,327
calls or in-person approaches to potential donor families*
1,462
tissue authorizations*
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tissue donors* and
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organ donors*
*Fiscal Year 2013
LifeGift Helps with Gene Research During this past year, LifeGift was among a handful of recovery agencies across the country invited to participate in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project, aimed at increasing the understanding of how changes in genes affect human health and disease. The project will benefit the community through an expanded knowledge of the complex patterns of genetic variation across a broad range of tissue types, offering hope for the health care of future generations. Recovery agencies will assist in building a database that researchers can use to study how inherited changes in genes can lead to common diseases. In September 2013, LifeGift named Marcus Hunter, a tissue donation specialist, as the team lead for this special endeavor. Marcus will help LifeGift implement recovery policies and procedures that supply the NIH with donor tissues to develop this database. “The benefits of this project will be realized for over a decade and make it a top priority for the NIH,” said Teresa Shafer, chief operating officer and executive vice president of LifeGift. “This is significant work from a public health perspective and will provide many insights to understanding the relationship between genetic variation and gene expression in human tissues.”
The Healing Power of Adipose Tissue LifeGift’s partnership with AlloSource continued to strengthen in 2013, providing hope and healing for those in need of tissue transplants and those with kidney disease. In 2013, LifeGift began recovering adipose tissue – or body fat. The adipose tissue is processed down to the stem cells, which when combined with bone from the same donor, can create more effective healing for injuries to the wrists and ankles. In many cases, these new grafts have eliminated the need for amputation of patients’ load-bearing limbs, which previously suffered from graft failure following surgery and extended recovery periods. “The stem cells ‘supercharge’ the osteogenic properties of the graft bone, speeding up healing time,” said Mark Roth, director of tissue recovery at LifeGift. “Adipose-derived stem cells also show promise beyond their application in orthopedic surgery. They have also experienced improved results in the fields of plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery as well as cardiac surgery.” The partnership with AlloSource will also allow LifeGift to further help those 320,000 Americans who suffer from chronic kidney disease. Through AlloSource’s partnership with Humacyte, a developer of novel human tissue-based products for potential in regenerative medicine and vascular surgery, LifeGift is positively contributing to treatment outcomes for a wide variety of patients, including those requiring hemodialysis. Through Humacyte, LifeGift provides recovered vascular tissue that is then bioengineered into veins that can be used in coronary bypass surgery or dialysis. “Our partnership with AlloSource positions us as a leader in tissue recovery,” Roth said. “We have the ability to offer hope and healing in so many ways that were unimaginable until now.”
LifeGift Hires High School Intern from the Inner City LifeGift entered into a partnership in 2013 with Genesys Works, a notfor-profit organization that exposes inner-city high school students to meaningful work experiences in professional settings. Students enter the Genesys Works program during the summer prior to their senior year of high school. After completing eight weeks of intensive training, students are assigned to work part time with one of Genesys Works’ client partners. Client partners range from nonprofit organizations, like LifeGift, to Fortune 500 companies, including 3M Corporation and AT&T. Several of LifeGift’s partner hospitals, including Texas Children’s and Memorial Hermann, also are clients. In August, LifeGift hired an intern from Genesys Works to assist in the accounting and facilities/ purchasing areas in its Houstonbased location. “Partnering with Genesys Works has allowed us to deepen our presence within the communities we serve,” said Kevin Myer, president and CEO of LifeGift. “We hope to expand our participation with Genesys Works in the future, adding more interns to assist in more areas of our organization.”
A Ray of Hope Turns Dark Into Light One of Brian Porter’s favorite pastimes was to fly airplanes. That was until he came down with a case of the shingles in 2002 and lost sight in his right eye.
Joseph DeLeon, MPA
Ron Ehrle, RN, BSN, CPTC
Chair Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest, Fort Worth
Managing Director of Donor Resources Managing Director, North Region
Roberta Schwartz, MHS
Schawnté Williams-Taylor, RN, BSN, CCRN, CPTC
Vice Chair Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston
Managing Director of Clinical Operations, Southeast Region
Justin Johnson, RN, BSN, CPTC
Sharyn Ivory, CPHQ
Managing Director, West Region
Treasurer Public Member, Lubbock
Jessica C. Leibold
Managing Director of Facilities and Purchasing
Ruth Schiermeyer
Carolyn Olivarez, LVN, CPTC
Secretary Public Member, Lubbock
Director of Quality Systems
Laura Frnka-Davis, BS, APR
Kevin Myer, MSHA
Director of Communications
LifeGift
Laura Cavazos, MHR, PHR Director of Human Resources
Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
John K. Graham, M.D. Public Member, Houston
Edward Kuntz Brian and his wife, Barbara
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In 2011, a ray of hope came into his life. Brian received a cornea transplant and his vision was restored. With the aid of a contact lens, Brian’s vision is now 20/20.
Kimberly Davis, RN, CPTC, CTBS
Matthew Girotto, MHA, MHR
You take for granted what a precious gift your sight is until it’s gone.
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Then 67, this retired Episcopal minister from Houston, Texas, resigned himself to the fact that he would live the rest of his life seeing out of only one eye. Because his depth perception was affected, Brian wore a patch on his right eye. This made watching TV and movies bearable, but uncomfortable. He had to adjust to a whole new way of living.
2013 Board of Directors
“You have no idea what it’s like to have a transplant until you have one,” said Brian. “I was missing so many wonderful things. Through the generosity of a cornea donor, my life and outlook were restored.” Brian can now fly airplanes again – something he could not do for 10 years. He and his wife, Barbara, are traveling the world, discovering different art museums – something he tried to do before his cornea transplant, but found difficult. “You take for granted what a precious gift your sight is until it’s gone,” Brian said.
Public Member, Houston
Brenda Lyon, RN, MS, NEA-BC
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Houston
Edward K. Massin, M.D. Public Member, Houston
Roland B. Smith, Ed.D., MPA Public Member, Houston
Kristen Turner, RN, MBA St. Luke’s Medical Center, Houston
Adriana Valencia Public Member, Houston
Emeritus Barclay Berdan, FACHE Lawrence Schkade, Ph.D., CSP, FAAAS
Executive Leadership Team Kevin Myer, MSHA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Patricia Rubin, CPA
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Teresa Shafer, RN, MSN, CPTC
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
R. Patrick Wood, M.D., FACS Chief Medical Officer
Grants and Contributions LifeGift’s board of directors and staff wish to express sincere appreciation to the following individuals and organizations that generously contributed to its programs during Calendar Year 2013: AlloSource American Association of Sheriff Posses and Riding Club – Save a Life, Ride a Horse Event The Barnes Family Robert Boudwin and Friends Calvert Elementary Community Tissue Services CryoLife Cytonet Berni and Mike Elder Cindy Ems and Friends ExxonMobil Foundation Jerry Durant Auto Group Organ Recovery Systems State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Program Tex-R Foundation Todd Krampitz Foundation The Vander Linden Family LifeGift thanks RALPH LAUER for his generous contribution of photography throughout the 2014 calendar.
Hope has a voice. Register to become a donor at www.DonateLifeTexas.org.
North Region 1701 River Run, Suite 300 Fort Worth, Texas 76107 817-870-0060 817-870-2073 fax Southeast Region 2510 Westridge Street Houston, Texas 77054 713-523-4438 713-737-8110 fax West Region 6001 B Spur 327 Lubbock, Texas 79424 806-798-5568 806-798-5572 fax 1200 Wallace Boulevard Amarillo, Texas 79106 806-351-5890 806-351-5891 fax