2019 "Faces of Transplantation" Calendar and Annual Report

2019 Faces

The of Transplantation

ÂŽ

www.LifeLinkFoundation.org

This calendar is dedicated to those individuals who have given the gift of life, and to the professionals who make donation and transplantation a reality, so that thousands may live and celebrate another new year.

Recovered Organ Donors in Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico 700

600

500

400

300

200

100

FY

00-01

01-02

02-03

03-04

04-05

05-06

06-07

07-08

08-09

09-10

10-11

11-12

12-13

13-14

14-15

15-16

16-17

17-18

364

388

404

431

468

496

521

558

515

541

560

526

565

536

574

610

614

610

LifeLink® Foundation LifeLink Foundation consists of five divisions: LifeLink of Florida, LifeLink of Georgia, LifeLink of Puerto Rico, LifeLink Tissue Bank and LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory.

In addition to these divisions, many departments provide the support and structure LifeLink needs in order to thrive. Those include Communications Services, Corporate Compliance, Facilities, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Information Systems and Public Affairs.

Photo courtesy of Rebekah Hilt

Message of Gratitude from the President/CEO and Chair of the Board “Teamwork makes the dream work.” This famous phrase, coined by John Maxwell, was demonstrated

by LifeLink staff and supporters this past fiscal year. In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria had an adverse impact throughout all of the LifeLink service areas. Many on our team experienced property damage and were forced to live without power for days. In the case of our Puerto Rico-based employees, most went without water and power for many months before even basic services were restored. We are pleased and proud to report that in the face of such hardship, our staff remained focused on our mission of service to our communities and beyond. We honored our donors by hosting remembrance services throughout Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico and began work in our newly built Ms. Jean Aiken Davis

Research and Development labs to identify new and novel uses of donated tissue to improve function and mobility for patients in need of tissue allografts.

Much of the work LifeLink accomplished is captured within this publication, but these pages cannot do justice to the countless hours spent serving donor families, recovering organs and tissue for transplant, educating communities and medical professionals with the Donate Life message and ultimately, saving lives.

We thank all of our supporters and appreciate our strong partnerships with service area hospitals, medical examiner offices, funeral homes, coroners, workplace partners, driver license offices and government agencies. Thank you also to our volunteers, who share their personal stories and inspire others through their courage and generosity. And finally, thank you to all LifeLink staff whose tireless

Dennis F. Heinrichs, B.S.N., M.B.A.

Mission Statement ®

dedication, commitment and passionate support for donors and their families continues to help save and improve lives every day.

Jean Aiken Davis

Dennis F. Heinrichs

President/CEO LifeLink Foundation

Chair of the Board LifeLink Foundation

LifeLink Foundation is a non-profit community service organization dedicated to the recovery of life-saving and life-enhancing organs and tissue for transplantation therapy. The Foundation works in a sensitive, diligent, and compassionate manner to facilitate the donation of desperately needed organs and tissues for waiting patients, supports research efforts to enhance the available supply of organs and tissue for transplant patients, improves clinical outcomes of patients post transplantation,

www.LifeLinkFoundation.org

and works closely with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to support its goals.

LifeLink Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) Service Areas Organs Transplanted

by OPO Service Area

LifeLink of Georgia (LLGA)

LLFL

LLGA

LLPR

708*

879

238

State of Georgia and two counties in South Carolina: Aiken and Edgefield

(Data represents LifeLink 2017-2018 fiscal year, 7/1/17-6/30/18)

LifeLink of Florida (LLFL)

*Indicates a record number

TOTAL:

1,825

Organ Donors by OPO Service Area

Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades,

Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota

LifeLink of Puerto Rico (LLPR) Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

250

200

150

100

50

OPO Partners

LLFL

63 hospitals, 8 medical examiner districts

LLGA

%

186 hospitals, 412 coroners, 5 medical examiner offices, 3 Georgia Bureau of Investigation Offices

LLPR 59 hospitals and the Institute of Forensic Medicine

Donation Advisory Committees (DACs) DACs are groups of hospital representatives and LifeLink staff members committed to raising awareness about organ and tissue donation within respective hospitals. These groups assist in furthering the LifeLink mission and work on projects to improve the donation process. DAC projects have included creation of brain death and Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) policies, critical care education, Donate Life Flag programs and participation with Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) “The Workplace Partnership For Life” hospital campaign. The efforts of DACs directly impact lives saved through transplantation.

57%

46%

LLGA

*Indicates a record number

#

LLFL

228

Lee, Manatee, Martin, Pasco,

# of Deceased Organ Donors

Highlands, Hillsborough,

298*

300

Hardee, Hendry, Hernando,

number of organ donors

by OPO service area

84

15 counties in Florida:

13%

LLPR

TOTAL:

610

Represents the % of deceased organ donors who had joined the organ, tissue and eye donor registry*

*It is a legally binding decision when an adult aged individual registers as an organ, tissue and/or eye donor. At the time of a registered donor’s death, it is the respective recovery organization’s obligation to honor that individual’s donation decision to the best of its ability. This decision cannot be overturned by family or friends of the decedent.

Perseverance after the storm On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands and parts of Puerto Rico. The damage was so extensive in the U.S. Virgin Islands that many hospital patients were transported to hospitals in Puerto Rico for treatment.

Unfortunately, two weeks later, Hurricane Maria reigned fury on the entire island of Puerto Rico. As a result, residents of Puerto Rico lived for months without electricity, with limited fuel to operate generators and little or no communications infrastructure.

In the midst of disaster, LifeLink of Puerto Rico remained steadfast and continued with its lifesaving mission of recovering organs and tissue for transplant. Additionally, thanks to contributions from LifeLink Foundation, organ procurement organizations throughout the country, other affiliated partner organizations and supporters of organ, tissue and eye donation, a Go Fund Me account provided for LifeLink of Puerto Rico staff, covering living and transportation expenses due to displacement, insurance deductibles, building repairs and hazard removal expenses.

Congress of the Transplantation Society

27th INTERNATIONAL

LifeLink staff presented four abstracts and one poster presentation at the 27th International Congress of the Transplantation Society in Madrid, Spain, to discuss LifeLink best practices with transplant industry peers from throughout the world. LifeLink was honored to present its work internationally and continues to seek out and assess ways to impact more lives through organ and tissue donation education, research and recovery methods.

For more information visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.

Donor Recognition Programs LifeLink prides itself on the respect and honor shown to all organ and tissue donors and their families. Annually, the Donor Family Services

HRSA’s “The Workplace Partnership for Life” Hospital Campaign Results

Medal Winners

Department for each OPO hosts donor recognition events for the loved ones of our donors.

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

LLFL: LLGA: LLPR:

22 35 26

6 10 7

4 22 20

14 5 6

TOTAL

83

23

46

25

177 TOTAL WINNERS

(a 9% increase over previous fiscal year)

Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) “The Workplace Partnership For Life” hospital campaign recognizes the efforts of hospitals that work in partnership with their local organ, tissue and eye recovery organizations to support and increase donation education in their communities.

“TREE OF LIFE” CEREMONIES

DONOR SERVICES OF REMEMBRANCE

■■ LifeLink of Florida and LifeLink of Georgia

Recent organ and tissue donor families are invited to attend

have a Tree of Life wall in their Tampa and Norcross offices, respectively, featuring the first names of all organ and tissue donors from the previous calendar year. Each year, family and friends of those donors are invited to honor their loved one during an unveiling event. The Tree of Life is a visual dedication to organ and tissue donation and symbolizes renewed life given by each organ and/or tissue donor.

a remembrance service where their loved ones are honored.

Family members are given the opportunity to contribute quilt squares to memorial quilts and share photos and/or other memories of their loved one with all in attendance. Organ and tissue recipients, donor families and LifeLink staff share words of encouragement and gratitude during the event.

■■ LifeLink of Puerto Rico incorporates an interactive activity into their remembrance service where donor names adorn a live tree and program guests are encouraged to place a handful of dirt at the base of the tree, in honor of their loved one.

For more information on donor family outreach visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org/Donor-Families/.

Darin Brahm, Heart Recipient

D

arin, a Military Intelligence Officer

in the United States Army, deployed to numerous countries throughout his 21-year military career. After retirement, he deployed three times to Afghanistan as a Department of Defense civilian. Then Darin began a different journey—a battle for his life. Diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), caused by genetic defects of the heart muscle, Darin received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to monitor and regulate his heartbeat. A little less than a year later, he was listed for transplant as his health continued to deteriorate.

Darin received a heart transplant in May 2017, two years after his original diagnosis. Married for 26 years to his wife, Amy, he gives thanks to his donor family for this extra time.

“Without my organ donor, I don’t know how much time I would have had with my wife, my daughters, my grandsons… my organ donor enabled me to keep living, to enjoy this life with them.” Darin is excited to, once again, enjoy Frisbee Golf and share his passion of the game with his daughter, Bella, and his grandsons, Rylen and Talen.

LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory

Evaluations

operates 24-hours-a-day to match potential organ donors with waiting recipients, protect patient safety and improve organ transplant outcomes. LifeLink

Transplant Patients

2,880

Transplantation Immunology Laboratory works rigorously to ensure recipients the best possible outcome after they receive a transplanted organ.

795

Total: 4,238

Deceased Donors

563

(Data represents LifeLink 2017-2018 fiscal year, 7/1/17-6/30/18)

30,565

Transplants Facilitated by Lab

transplant related tests performed

Kidney

Heart

Living Donors

Florida Transplant Centers Served

110

460

Liver

Kidney/Pancreas

Largo Medical Center, Largo

24

156

Pancreas

Lung

Tampa General Hospital, Tampa

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg

Lee Health Transplant Institute at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston

42 TOTAL:

2 794

Broward Health, Fort Lauderdale Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Hollywood

For more information visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.

The Moore Family, Donor Family

M

adison was a vibrant, fun-loving, strong-willed teenager who dreamed of a career in forensics. However, horses were her passion and she was an avid equestrian. Madison began as a barrel racer, but found her true calling when she became involved with miniature horses. She participated in “driving horse competitions,” both locally and nationally, where horses compete while pulling a carriage. She was routinely “in the ribbons”—horse show language for winning—and earned the title of “Reserve National Champion” at a show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tragically, Madison passed away at the young age of 17 and she became an organ donor. “It was her decision. She made it when she turned 16, telling her father ‘Why be selfish? I’m not going to need them’,” says Madison’s

mom, Angie. “She chose it and we didn’t argue. We honored her decision.” Ed, Madison’s father, is a commercial truck driver for Jeff Foster Trucking. The company supports causes that affect their employees and purchased a ribbon decal for Ed’s truck to promote the Donate Life message. Now, wherever he travels, Madison’s donation decision is honored and others will learn about her selfless decision to give the gift of life.

LOCATION COURTESY OF PASCO HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION, HUDSON, FL

B

Anthony “A.J.” Burgess, Kidney Recipient

LifeLink Tissue Bank LifeLink Tissue Bank is the largest non-profit tissue bank in the Southeastern United States and provides more than 40,000 allografts annually to orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgical specialists. Though our skilled team is equipped to recover all

efore A.J.’s birth, doctors informed his family that his kidneys were not functioning and he would require a kidney transplant. They knew he would face challenges as soon as he was born, however, they were not expecting A.J. to join the world a month early. He was immediately placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where he spent seven months.

During that time he was placed on life support, and due to his kidney function, started dialysis and experienced issues with his heart and lungs.

Once released from the hospital, A.J. continued dialysis at home for two and a half years. Doctors set a goal of A.J. weighing twenty-five pounds before he could be placed on the transplant waiting list and when that milestone was reached, his family rejoiced. Since receiving his kidney transplant, A.J. has reached other milestones. His mom, Carmellia, says “We have seen a major change in A.J. since his transplant.

He was bedbound before his transplant, but now he is running and able to do normal toddler activities.

We cannot thank his donor family enough for the opportunity for A.J. to have a childhood.”

LifeLink Tissue Bank is proud of several new partnerships that are benefitting patients locally, nationally and internationally. These include: ■■ HCT Regenerative is a Taiwan-based tissue bank whose partnership efforts allow LifeLink to provide

life-enhancing tissue grafts, we specialize in the processing

allografts for patients suffering from sports, orthopedic

and distribution of spine, sports and general orthopedic grafts.

and/or spine injuries.

■■ NuTech Spine and Biologics distributes LifeLink allografts to surgeons throughout the United States.

LifeLink Tissue Bank hosts informative

■■ Our Research and Development Department is engaging

seminars throughout

a current partner, Bioventus, to co-develop a new,

the year to help nurses

cutting-edge bone allograft solution for use in spine

earn Continuing Education

and trauma surgeries.

Units (CEUs), while learning about our

■■ LifeLink joined forces with Wake Forest University to

life-changing work.

recover and develop tissue grafts to aid in the treatment of injured servicemen.

% of Recovered (Deceased) Tissue

Donors

who had joined the organ, tissue and eye donor registry* 67%

LLFL

Tissues recovered

by LifeLink Tissue Bank

Tissues processed and distributed

by LifeLink Tissue Bank

SKIN: primarily used to

SPINAL GRAFTS:

assist in the healing of burn patients BONE: used for a

58% 26%

LLGA LLPR

(Data represents LifeLink 2017-2018 fiscal year, 7/1/17-6/30/18) *It is a legally binding decision when an adult aged individual registers as an organ, tissue and/or eye donor. At the time of a registered donor’s death, it is the respective recovery organization’s obligation to honor that individual’s donation decision to the best of its ability. This decision cannot be overturned by family or friends of the decedent.

variety of orthopedic and spinal procedures

designed to promote fusion and help patients who suffer from severe and/or chronic pain to lead normal lives SPORTS GRAFTS: used in joint restoration procedures to help restore movement to patients suffering from pain and discomfort

TENDONS: often used

that prevents them from enjoying

for sports-related injuries

active lifestyles GENERAL ORTHOPEDIC GRAFTS:

VALVES: used commonly

help to promote bone formation,

in heart valve replacement

optimize healing and accelerate a

surgeries

patient’s return to normal function

To learn more about our innovative work visit www.LifeLinkTissueBank.org.

Public Education

What do we do?

An array of beliefs and emotions are expressed when the topic of organ, tissue and eye donation is presented to the public. Some hold fast to deeply rooted myths surrounding the subject, while others are fully supportive and quick to show their driver license, indicating they are a registered donor.

The Public Affairs Department works diligently to educate the public about the facts of organ, tissue and eye donation and encourage individuals to join

Public Affairs Staff

Volunteers

Volunteer Recruitment & Management Multicultural Outreach Interdepartmental Support Event Management Graphic Design Media Outreach Government Relations Initiatives Community Outreach Brand Management

Assist donation education efforts (via information tables, public presentations, etc.)

Share personal donation testimonials

the donor registry.

LLFL grew its partnership with Phi

Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The University of South Florida’s (USF) undergraduate chapter (Zeta Xi) assisted with raising awareness about organ, tissue and eye donation amongst their peers and registered dozens of new donors.

LifeLink Public Affairs Department

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:

1 2 3

promote donor registrations within the three LifeLink OPO service areas promote the LifeLink brand

LLGA hosted “Handprints of Hope” to rally support, while honoring a local organ donor. In partnership with NASCAR race driver Joey Gase, event attendees placed their handprints on his official race car and met him in person. Joey Gase’s mother passed away and became an organ and tissue donor when he was 18-years-old.

increase awareness about organ, tissue and eye donation

Volunteers

The Multicultural Donation Education Program (MDEP), based in Georgia, hosted its 11th Annual Done Vida Health Fair. More than 300 people attended this event where they took part in dozens of health screenings and received information about organ, tissue and eye donation.

2017-2018 ACTIVE

VOLUNTEERS LLFL

233

2,316

LLGA

276

1,225

LLPR

46

4,000

LLPR hosted its annual “Diselo A Tu Familia”

campaign to encourage registered organ, tissue and eye donors to discuss their donation decision with their family and friends. Events were hosted throughout Puerto Rico in hospitals, CESCO offices (where driver license transactions take place) and on social media.

69%

of the LifeLink of Florida adult population are registered donors.

Donor Registrations by Source

(LLFL population includes: Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties)

62% 28%

of Georgia’s adult population are registered donors.

Source

LLFL LLGA LLPR

Driver License Transactions 251,029 446,609 Online

6,685

821 1,475

773

1,513 12,952

In Person *National Registry

of Puerto Rico’s adult population are registered donors.

TOTAL

*Data based on 2017 population estimates by the United States Census Bureau.

State Donor Registries

18,041

24,812 29,432 N/A

283,299 478,375 32,468

*The National Donate Life Registry (www.RegisterMe.org) launched in 2015 and is managed by Donate Life America. The national registry allows individuals throughout the United States to register as organ, tissue and eye donors. For the majority of states, Florida and Georgia included, donor registrations from the national registry are automatically funneled into the respective state donor registry where that individual resides.

Each state has its own organ, tissue and eye donor

(Data represents LifeLink 2017-2018 fiscal year, 7/1/17-6/30/18)

registry and the Public Affairs Department is dedicated to increasing the number of registered donors in the three LifeLink OPO service areas.

FLORIDA

10.2 million registered donors

GEORGIA

4.8 million registered donors

PUERTO RICO

Social Media

642,312 registered donors *data as of 6/30/18

For more information on organ, eye and tissue donation and/or how to register as a donor visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org/RegisterToday.

In today’s digital age, LifeLink understands the importance of engaging individuals through social media with the Donate Life message. Currently LifeLink maintains active accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. For up-to-date information and to interact with LifeLink, follow us on social media today!

Social Media Accounts by OPO

Media Stories

LLFL LLGA LLPR

Facebook LifeLinkOfFlorida

Television Radio

Print

Web

LLFL 50

2

19 89

LLGA 20

12

26 28

LLPR 36

115

9 28

TOTAL 106

129

54

145

LifeLinkGA LifeLinkDePuertoRico

Twitter

LifeLinkFL LifeLinkGA LLPR_DoneVida

Instagram

LifeLinkFL

LifeLinkGA LifeLink_PuertoRico

YouTube

LifeLinkFL

LifeLinkGA LifeLinkDePuertoRico

In addition to the above listed social media accounts, LifeLink Foundation has a presence on LinkedIn.

Behind the Scenes Information Systems The Information Systems Department is dedicated to using technical innovation to deliver high systems availability in support of the LifeLink mission, ensuring 24/7 operations by providing technology integrated with cybersecurity safeguards.

Human Resources LifeLink is dedicated to making sure employees possess the training and skills they need to provide the best service to our donor families, communities and internal peers. The Human Resources Department is committed to leadership and provides training for management and non-management staff alike. “LifeLink University”

+

offers training modules on ®

Communications Services The Communications Services Department has 13 full-time communications coordinators available 24-hours-a-day to assist callers. This ensures donor

an array of topics ranging from customer service to team building. Dedication to the growth of employees is just one of many things that

makes LifeLink an ideal employer.

referral calls are received in real-time and potential donation opportunities are identified as soon as possible.

LifeLink receives a daily average of 217 donor referral calls.

During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Communications Services fielded 169,245 calls; 79,245 calls were donor referrals (a call increase of 4.4% from previous fiscal year).

At the conclusion of the 2017-2018 fiscal year, 45 members of the LifeLink leadership team had attended either Eckerd College’s Leadership Development or Maximizing Leadership Potential Programs. These courses were made available thanks to an external partnership with Eckerd College Center for Creative Leadership, located in St. Petersburg, Florida.

YEARS

199 Employees 10+ Years

524 Full-Time

and Per Diem Employees

Corporate Compliance

Facilities

Ensuring that LifeLink staff adhere to safety, process

The Facilities Department is dedicated to the planning

and ethical measures in fulfillment of the LifeLink

and design, energy management, event coordination and

mission is the goal of the

preventative maintenance needs of the seven facilities that

Corporate Compliance

house LifeLink staff. The Facilities Department fields more

Department. Employees

than 3,000 service calls annually.

are required to complete annual departmental trainings that focus on confidentiality, Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest and many other topics.

(Data represents LifeLink 2017-2018 fiscal year, 7/1/17-6/30/18)

F

rank’s health issues began when he was only three months old.

By the time he turned 14, he was placed on kidney dialysis due to kidney failure, but thankfully, Frank’s father was able to donate a kidney and restore him to good health. Ultimately, Frank’s donated kidney stopped functioning and he was placed on dialysis, where he remained for 12 years.

Once again, the generosity of others saved Frank’s life through organ donation.

“My family goes by these three words: Live, Laugh, Love,” says Frank. “I can continue living those words daily because of my donor families.” Frank has been a longtime member of the “USS Odyssey,” a Star Trek/ Sci-Fi fan club and loves sharing stories about his Star Trek uniform. Frank is very active with the Organ Transplant Recipients of Southwest Florida support group and LifeLink volunteer program.

Frank Tutay, Kidney Recipient

LOCATION COURTESY OF COMICS CARDS AND STUFF, FORT MYERS, FL

LifeLink Legacy Fund® LifeLink Legacy Fund is a non-profit organization that supports the mission of LifeLink Foundation. LifeLink Legacy Fund also provides funding to pre- and post- organ transplant patients in financial need and various research initiatives. Since 1993, LifeLink Legacy Fund has provided more than $2 million in transplant patient assistance.

Funds raised during 2017-2018 fiscal year:

$395,000 Patients Helped:

118

To date, 22 PEOPLE have received a lifesaving organ transplant thanks to financial assistance received from the LifeLink Legacy Fund “PLEDGE PROGRAM.” This program helps patients meet necessary funding requirements for placement on the national organ transplant waiting list.

During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, LifeLink Legacy Fund pledged more than $132,000 towards this program.

Distribution of Support TOTAL:

$376,000 (Data represents LifeLink 2017-2018 fiscal year, 7/1/17-6/30/18)

The LifeLink Legacy Fund hosted its 3rd annual Love Give Live 5K in beautiful Water Works Park in Tampa, Florida. Nearly 500 runners, walkers, volunteers, vendors and supporters gathered to show support for the Legacy Fund and organ and tissue donation. A portion of the event proceeds were given to Donate Life Florida to help maintain Florida’s organ, tissue and eye donor registry.

LifeLink Legacy Fund Board of Directors: Larry F. Jones, B. A., Chair

Mr. Richard Redmon

Victor D. Bowers, M.D.

Dana L. Shires, M.D., FACP

Jeffrey Eckhart, M.B.A.

Joel T. VanSickler, M.D.

Pre- and PostTransplant Patient Care: $182,000

Dennis F. Heinrichs, B.S.N., M.B.A.

Lin Weber, B.A.

Research and Community Grants: $194,000

Mrs. Martha Minahan

William M. LeFor, Ph.D., HCLD (ABB)

Thomas C. Pearson, M.D., Ph.D.

Stephanie Hernandez, MAcc, Treasurer (Not a Director) Ms. Linda Arant, Secretary (Not a Director)

For more information on ways you can help visit www.LifeLinkLegacyFund.org.

Marquita Redd, Liver Recipient

D

ance has always been a part of Marquita’s life. She began dancing when she was four and knew then she wanted to dance professionally. While attending Washington University, Marquita was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease. She worked hard to maintain her studies while battling health struggles, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and African American Studies, shortly followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Dance. Despite liver disease, Marquita was able to become a professional dancer and took part in numerous productions throughout the eastern United States before returning home to Georgia. She then started Redd Arts Company, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to present dance

performances, fine art exhibits and creative writing that brings together members of the community. Then, health struggles momentarily robbed Marquita of her ability to dance. After battling liver disease for over 14 years, Marquita received a lifesaving liver transplant in December 2016. Marquita says, “I promised my doctor that I would resume dancing and after 11 months of recovery, I was able to teach a dance workshop.” She looks forward to continuing using dance to spread awareness about organ, tissue and eye donation and celebrating life. When reflecting on her second chance at life, Marquita says, “I am grateful for this precious gift.

I think of my donor family and their loved one daily. I strive to honor them through my efforts to be the best person that I can be.”

Jonathan “Jonny” Wall, Tissue Recipient

JANUARY SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 New Year’s Day

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 #National PharmacistDay

Epiphany

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

27 28 29 30 31

DECEMBER 2018

FEBRUARY 2019

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

J

onny, a former construction worker, snapped his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while descending a ladder. As a single father, he needed his injury repaired so he could continue to support his family. Jonny received a donated tendon to repair his damaged ACL in June 2017. After three months in physical therapy, he was able to return to a physically demanding job as a welder, which requires lengthy stints of standing and moving around. “My donor changed my life forever. Without their

Start the New Year off right

by registering to become a LifeLink volunteer.

Together, we can save lives—one donor registration at a time.

Visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org/Volunteers/ for more information on our volunteer program and to complete an online volunteer application.

precious gift, I would not be able to build a life for my daughter and myself,” says Jonny. His three-year-old daughter, June, makes him laugh every day as she explores and learns about the world. Her favorite thing to do is ride atop her daddy’s shoulders so she can see things from his perspective; a simple pleasure that would not have been possible without the gift of tissue transplantation.

LOCATION COURTESY OF OLDCASTLE® COASTAL, FORT PIERCE, FL BACKGROUND “SPARKS” COURTESY OF JESUS RESENDIZ

®

The Casillas-Negrón Family, Donor Family

FEBRUARY SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Have you registered as an organ, tissue & eye donor?

1 2 Show us how you celebrate your decision to save lives by posting a Facebook photo on National Donor Day (February 14th) using #NDD19. Five posts will be chosen at random to win a LifeLink t-shirt. (5 winners per OPO service area.) @LifeLinkOfFlorida @LifeLinkGA @LifeLinkDePuertoRico

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 #NationalDonorDay Valentine’s Day

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Presidents’ Day

24 25 26 27 28

JANUARY 2019

MARCH 2019

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A

ccording to his mother, Nidia, Carlos Julian was full of energy, fun, happiness, generosity and liked helping others. His greatest virtue was his sensitivity and empathy, especially towards those most in need. Carlos Julian was the second of three siblings and liked horseback riding, baseball and going to the beach. He also liked his mother’s delicious home-cooked meals. Most of all, Carlos Julian loved his daughter, Paulina. Nidia, a long-time employee of LifeLink of Puerto Rico, always felt great empathy for each donor family and knew the importance of living every day as if it were

the last. When Carlos Julian passed away, Nidia and her family made the decision for him to become a donor.

She recalls, “The sincere support of each of my coworkers was key to be able to continue.” Today, Nidia still pursues her mission of educating others about the importance of organ and tissue donation, but now does it all in memory of her beloved Carlos Julian.

®

The Bumgardner Family, Donor Family

MARCH SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Do you have a connection to kidney transplantation?

1 2 Share your story with us on World Kidney Day (March 14th) using #LLWorldKidneyDay19 via Facebook. Five winners will receive a LifeLink swag bag! (5 winners per OPO service area.) @LifeLinkOfFlorida

@LifeLinkGA

@LifeLinkDePuertoRico

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ash Wednesday

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 #WorldKidneyDay

Daylight Saving Time Begins

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 First Day of Spring

St. Patrick’s Day

Purim (begins at sundown)

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 #NationalAmerican DiabetesAssociation AlertDay

31

J

FEBRUARY 2019

APRIL 2019

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eff and Jody fell in love in college, moved around the country through their work in church ministry and were eventually led back home to Georgia, where they have continued to raise their four children, Caleb, Abby, Ella and Ava. Tragedy struck their family in early fall 2016, when Ella developed a severe headache that led to complications; she was rushed by ambulance to the local children’s hospital, and her family learned of Ella’s life threatening condition—a mass in her brain pushed on her brain stem. Forty-eight hours later, the Bumgardner family made the decision to donate Ella’s organs.

#NationalDoctorsDay

“We were praying for a miracle, but we soon realized that Ella could be a miracle for someone else through organ donation,” says Jeff. Ella was outwardly shy in public, but overcame that fear at home where she claimed her family’s attention. Her favorite color was green and it is with green hearts that her family, friends and community ® remember Ella’s legacy. “There was meaning for Ella’s life.

She is still living in the recipients and a part of her is still with us, through them,” says Jody.

Chris Montes, Liver Recipient

APRIL SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 National Donate Life Month (April 1-30) April Fool’s Day

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 #NationalBlue AndGreenDay

National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 7-13) #WorldHealthDay

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Good Friday

Palm Sunday

Passover (begins at sundown)

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Easter

National Pediatric Transplant Week (April 22-26)

Administrative Professionals’ Day

Earth Day

28 29 30

MARCH 2019

MAY 2019

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t just four years old, Chris was diagnosed with liver disease, resulting in a childhood full of medication and doctors.

Although his parents continuously monitored his health in hopes that his condition would improve, his greatest challenges lay ahead. At age 17, a bacterial infection caused Chris’s health to deteriorate so rapidly that he was in critical condition and in desperate need of a liver transplant. Thanks to the generosity of an organ donor, Chris received the liver he so urgently needed.

April is National Donate Life Month.

Check out our blog to see how LifeLink is celebrating all month long. www.LifeLinkFoundation.org/LifeLink-Blog/

Following his successful transplant surgery, Chris’s health began improving radically, allowing him to play baseball again, enjoy his family, spend time with friends and travel. These days, Chris is pursuing a nursing degree with hopes of attending medical school.

Chris is grateful for the gift of life that he received and his family’s unconditional love, as well as his belief that only faith can help you through the difficult times.

LOCATION COURTESY OF JOSE “PEPITO” BONANO STADIUM IN GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO

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Yashira Colón Robles, Kidney Recipient

M AY SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Calling all nurses!

1 2 3 4 On May 6th tell us via Twitter why you support donation using #NursesLoveLifeLink19 and we’ll send you a sweet treat. @LifeLinkFL @LifeLinkGA @LLPR_DoneVida

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Cinco de Mayo

#NationalNursesDay

Ramadan (begins at sundown)

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Armed Forces Day

Mother’s Day

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31 Memorial Day

APRIL 2019

JUNE 2019

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t the age of 26, after giving birth to her second daughter, Yashira received the most difficult news of her life—she had acute kidney failure that resulted in hospitalization and emergency dialysis. She was placed on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. Also a pharmacy technician, Yashira trusted that she would receive her much needed kidney transplant so she could watch her two small children grow. Fortunately,

after only three months on the transplant waiting list, Yashira received her second chance at life. Following surgery, she had a quick recovery and today enjoys spending time with her family and pursuing her passion of travel to new places. Yashira is grateful to her organ donor, and hopes others in need of renewed health will be blessed, as she has been.

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Joe Lawrie, Heart Recipient

JUNE SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 Summer is finally here and it’s your time to shine!

Show us your Donate Life spirit by posting a selfie on June 21st via Facebook using #LifeSavingSelfie19. We’ll repost our favorites. Will yours be one? @LifeLinkOfFlorida

@LifeLinkGA

@LifeLinkDePuertoRico

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Eid al-Fitr (begins at sundown)

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Flag Day

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 #NationalSelfieDay

Father’s Day

First Day of Summer

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30

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orn with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), a defect in the heart’s aortic valve, Joe was closely monitored by doctors all his life, including annual heart function tests. In 2007, at the age of 27, Joe’s routine echocardiogram showed an enlarged heart that functioned at only 40%. The next seven years were rough; Joe suffered a stroke, further decline in his heart function, and he experienced shortness of breath with everyday tasks. Emergency surgery resulted in a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which allowed his body time to rest and prepare for a heart transplant,

MAY 2019

JULY 2019

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which took place in December 2015. “As soon as I awoke after transplant, I immediately could tell a difference. I had always had a sick heart so I didn’t know what it felt like to have a normal, working heart. It was amazing,” says Joe. “My donor family has given me a second chance. It’s an opportunity for my donor to continue living through me and make an impact on others.” Growing up in a musical family, Joe began playing the guitar at an early age. He loves live music and looks forward to many future concerts, thanks to his donor.

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Johnny Carter, Kidney & Pancreas Recipient

J U LY SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 Independence Day

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 #DonateLifeECHO (Every Community Has Opportunity) July 14-27

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 #WorldHepatitisDay

We’re kicking off #DonateLifeECHO JUNE 2019

AUGUST 2019

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iagnosed with type 1 diabetes and high blood pressure at age 25, Johnny, a former football player for University of Central Florida, witnessed his physical appearance change from a strong athlete to a physically weak man. His kidneys failed shortly before his 30th birthday and he began dialysis, which lasted for nearly seven years. Despite his health struggles and with his father’s help, Johnny continued to build the family’s restaurant. “Carter’s BBQ” began in a small trailer, but grew

on July 14th with an Instagram post you won’t want to miss!

Be sure to comment on our post

by July 27th and be entered to win an Amazon Echo.

(One winner per OPO service area.) @LifeLinkFL @LifeLinkGA @LifeLink_PuertoRico

to a stand-alone restaurant, and their BBQ sauces are so popular they are sold in grocery stores. In 2015, Johnny received a kidney and pancreas transplant that eliminated his diabetes. A little over a year after his transplant, Johnny had the opportunity to meet his donor family. “I was full of tears because their son gave me a second chance at life. I told them I would take excellent ® care of my gifts and I am forever grateful,” says Johnny.

LOCATION COURTESY OF CARTER’S BBQ, MULBERRY, FL

Yolanda Akins, Heart Recipient The Spann Family, Donor Family

AUGUST SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 2019

1 2 3 National Minority Donor Awareness Week (August 1-7)

JULY 2019

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4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Eid al-Adha (begins at sundown)

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 LifeLink loves educators!

Tell us via Facebook who your favorite teacher is and why throughout August using #LifeLinkLovesEducators19. Your post will enter that teacher into a $100 Visa gift card drawing. Will your teacher be one of the lucky winners?

(Two winners per OPO service area; entries must be posted by 8/31.) @LifeLinkOfFlorida

D

@LifeLinkGA

@LifeLinkDePuertoRico

octors initially thought Yolanda suffered an asthma attack, however they soon diagnosed a heart issue—Yolanda’s left ventricular muscle had collapsed. Doctors managed her heart disease with medication for 11 years, yet her health continued to decline. In late 2012, Yolanda’s heart function was down to 5%.

She was admitted to the hospital to begin her wait for a lifesaving transplant. Just over a month later, in Yolanda’s home town, the Spann family faced a tragedy. Their loved one, Geoffrey, was struck by a car while taking his dog for a walk. Geoffrey had told his family

of his decision to become an organ, tissue and eye donor and they did not hesitate to honor Geoffrey’s choice to help others—including Yolanda. The families met two years after Yolanda’s transplant and continue to celebrate Geoffrey together. “We lived 10 miles apart, but did not know one another. Now, because of Geoffrey, I have a new family,” says Yolanda.

One heart, two families, forever connected.

®

SEPTEMBER SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Syrita Ford, Kidney Recipient, and her husband, Rodney Ford, Living Donor

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 First Day of Muharram

Labor Day

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Grandparents Day

Patriot Day

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 First Day of Fall

29

Rosh Hashanah (begins at sundown)

30

AUGUST 2019

OCTOBER 2019

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n early 2009, Syrita visited her doctor for her yearly checkup; it was far from “routine.” Although she didn’t feel sick, Syrita’s kidneys only functioned at 20%, and shortly after, she began peritoneal dialysis at home. Each night Syrita’s husband, Rodney, connected her to a dialysis machine and for eight hours the machine performed the functions her kidneys could not. Syrita continued to work during the day and explored options for transplant. Rodney immediately offered to be tested as a living donor and he was a near perfect match. In March 2010, Rodney and Syrita were admitted to

A celebrated life can never be forgotten!

Let’s remember the lasting legacy of organ and tissue donors together. Donor families can post a tribute in honor of their loved one(s) on our “A Celebrated Life” page by visiting www.LifeLinkFoundation.org/Celebrated-Life/.

the hospital so that Rodney could provide his wife with a second chance at life. Fifteen hours after the transplant surgery, Rodney walked to Syrita’s room, where they embraced and started the next chapter of their lives. “I feel excellent. Being a living donor was a pleasant experience and I feel blessed to see Syrita every day,” says Rodney. Of her husband, Syrita says, “Because of him, I lived. I don’t take life for granted, but I am forever grateful to this man for giving me this beautiful life.”

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Christina Merchant, Liver Recipient

O C TO B E R SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 #PhysiciansAssistantDay

Yom Kippur (begins at sundown)

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Columbus Day

National Boss’s Day

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

SEPTEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

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iagnosed at four months of age with biliary atresia, a childhood disease of the liver, Christina was a very sick baby.

A partial liver transplant at the age of seven months allowed Christina to thrive—her motor skills improved and her activity level increased. However, at the age of four, Christina’s health declined and after spending months in the hospital and on the national organ transplant waiting list, she received a full liver transplant. Christina, now 15, has been a Girl Scout since she

#Halloween

Facing end-stage organ disease is scary.

Thousands of patients are currently awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant nationwide. Are you among them? Share your story with us via any of our social media platforms

by October 31st using #Road2Transplant19.

was in first grade. Most of the girls in her troop have been friends since preschool and they enjoy spending time together.

When thinking of the two families who chose to give life to others, and saved her life, Christina says, “Thank you doesn’t seem enough. It was a blessing for them to see through their grief and provide so much happiness to others. I’m living life because of them.”

LOCATION COURTESY OF CAMP INDIAN ECHO, HUDSON, FL

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Edwin Acevedo, Heart Recipient

N OV E M B E R SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

DECEMBER 2019

1 2 OCTOBER 2019

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#NationalFamily CaregiversMonth (November 1-30)

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3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Daylight Saving Time Ends

National Donor Sabbath Weekend (November 8-10)

Election Day

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Veterans Day

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Thanksgiving

How are you showing appreciation to your caregiver during National Family Caregivers Month?

Two lucky Instagram followers will win a $50 Amazon gift card to buy their favorite caregiver the perfect gift. For a chance to win, share an Instagram post during November about your caregiver using #LifeLinkCares19 and be entered into our gift card drawing.

(Two winners per OPO service area; entries must be posted by 11/30.) @LifeLinkFL

T

@LifeLinkGA

@LifeLink_PuertoRico

hroughout his life, Edwin has been a hardworking man, and totally dedicated to his family. He is known as a humble person with a great love for life and a commitment to helping others in his church and community. Unexpectedly, a complicated cardiac condition resulted in Edwin needing a heart transplant—and he received the heart of a young man. Edwin was able to meet his donor’s family and express his gratitude for their decision to save lives through organ and tissue donation.

As a result of his organ donor, Edwin continues enjoying life with his wife and three children, and has the privilege of watching his five grandchildren grow. Additionally, having been inspired by his organ donor’s love of music and the violin, Edwin has since gained a personal passion for classical music. Being a man of faith, Edwin thanks God for his second chance at life. ®

LOCATION COURTESY OF CASA DE LA CULTURA IN TRUJILLO ALTO, PUERTO RICO

Dara Simon, Lung & Kidney Recipient

DECEMBER SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 #LetterWritingDay

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 First Day of Winter

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Hanukkah (begins at sundown)

Christmas Eve

29 30 31

First Day of Kwanzaa

New Year’s Eve

NOVEMBER 2019

JANUARY 2020

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Christmas Day

s a student at the University of Florida, Dara was the picture of good health, until one day she began experiencing back pain and difficulty breathing. A friend immediately took her to the campus infirmary where they learned she had a collapsed lung. One year later, after her other lung collapsed, Dara was diagnosed with LAM Lung Disease (lymphangioleiomyomatosis). Dara continued experiencing similar episodes throughout college and during her senior year was told she needed a lung transplant to survive, which

Struggling to find the perfect words to send to your donor family or organ recipient(s) this holiday season?

Visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org/Donor-Families/ for tips on how to get started.

she fortunately received two years later. Fourteen years later, she experienced kidney failure and a friend was tested and approved to be her living donor. Dara says, “My transplants have put life into perspective for me. I take nothing for granted.” Today, Dara is a partner at her CPA firm and serves on the Board of Governors for LifeLink Foundation. “My donors gave me my life and I am going to live it for them… and for me.”

LOCATION COURTESY OF TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL, TAMPA, FL

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The McWhorter Family, Donor Family

W

arren, an avid football fan, coached little league football and was affectionately known as “Coach Mac.” He lived life in the fast lane between his love of motorcycles and fourwheelers, but his first love was family. Sadly, it was a motorcycle accident that ended Warren’s life. Not long before that fatal crash, Warren renewed his driver license and made the decision to be a registered donor. Warren’s wife, Sandra, whom he had been

married to for 15 years, says of his decision, “Warren helped anyone before he helped himself. It was no surprise that he made the decision to give his all.” Sandra continuously reminds their three sons of Warren’s favorite quote, “Life is what you make it.”

Heroes

Remembering the more than 1,500 people who gave the gift of life through organ and/or tissue donation from July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 Aaron, Abbe, Abel, Adalberto, Adam, Adam, Adam, Adam, Addis, Adejia, Adrian, Adrian, Adriana, Adrismarie, Agapita, Agustin, Aidan, Aiden, Ajada, Alan, Alan, Albert, Albert, Alejandro, Alejandro Perea, Alex, Alex, Alexander, Alexander, Alexander, Alexander, Alexander, Alexander, Alexandria, Alexis, Alexis, Alfredo, Alice, Alicia, Alicia, Allen, Allen, Alnardo, Alton, Altruist, Alvin, Alvin, Alziaha, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amara, Amber, Amber, Amber, Ambrose, Americo, Amie, Amir, Amos, Amy, Amy, Amy, Amy, Anabel, Andres, Andres, Andres, Andrew, Andrew, Andrew, Andrew, Andrew, Andrew, Andy, Andy, Aneudy, Angel, Angel, Angel, Angel, Angel, Angel, Angela, Angela, Angela, Angela, Angela, Anika, Anita, Anita, Anna, Annette, Annette, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Anthony, Antoine, Antonio, Antonio, Antonio, Antonio, Antonitte, April, April, Aramis, Ares, Arimentha, Ariyah, Armando, Arnaldo, Arnold, Ashley, Ashley, Ashley, Ashley, Aston, Aubree, Aubree, Aurelio, Avis, Avon, Baldwin, Baraka, Barbara, Barron, Barry, Baylee, Belinda, Belinda, Benjamin, Benjamin, Bennett, Benny, Berlin, Bernard, Betsy, Bhabendra, Blake, Bo, Bobbie, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Boris, Boudling, Boyd, Bradford, Bradford, Bradley, Bradley, Brandon, Brenda, Brett, Brian, Brian, Brian, Brian, Brian, Brian, Brian, Brian, Brittany, Broderick, Brody, Brooke, Bruce, Bruce, Bryan, Bryen, Bryson, Burton, Butch, Caleb, Calvin, Cameron, Cameron, Cameron, Candice, Carey, Carisa, Carl, Carl, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlos, Carlton, Carmen, Carmen, Carmen, Carmen, Carmen, Casmir, Cass, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Cecilia, Cedrick, Cesar, Cesar, Chad, Chad, Chad, Chad, Chad, Chanel, Chantel, Charito, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Christa, Christian, Christian, Christian, Christian, Christian, Christian, Christian, Christian, Christian Ivan, Christina, Christina, Christina, Christina, Christine, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Chrystal, Chrystall, Claire, Clara, Claude, Claude, Claude, Clayton, Clayton, Clayton, Clestelle, CO, Cody, Cody, Cole, Constance, Constance, Consuelo, Corbin, Corey, Corinthians, Courtney, Craig, Craig, Craig, Cristina, Cristina, Cruz, Crystal, Curtis, Curtis, Cynthia, Cynthia, Cynthia, Cyrus, Daisy, Dakota, Dale, Dallas, Damian, Damian, Damien, Dani, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, Danielle, Danielle, Danny, Danny, Danny, Darchelle, Darcy, Dasani, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, David, Davious, Davon, Dawn, Dawn, Dayton, Deandre, Debra, Dee, Deedra, Deidre, Delancious, Denmore, Dennis, Dennis, Dennis, Derek, Derek, Derek, Derrick, Derylle, Desalynn, Destiny, Destiny, Deveron, Devin, Devin, Devin, Dewight, Dexter, Dexter, Dhiren, Diamond, Diana, Diana, Diane, Diego, Dino, Dionisio, Domiquo, Don, Donald, Donald, Donna, Donna, Donna, Doris, Douglas, Douglas, Douglas, Douglas, Douglas, Doyle, Durgesh, Dustin, Dustin, Dwight, Dylan, Dylan, Earl, Earnest, Ebony, Eddie, Edgar, Edgar, Edgardo, Edgardo, Edna, Edris, Eduardo, Eduardo, Edward, Edward, Edward, Edward, Edward, Edwin, Edwin, Edwin, Elaine, Elbert, Elena, Elena, Elijah, Elijah, Elijah, Eliobel, Eliu, Elix, Elizabeth, Elmer, Elsie, Elvin, Elvin, Elvindael, Elvis, Elward, Emerida, Emilio, Emily, Emmanuel, Enrique, Eric, Eric, Eric, Eric, Eric, Eric, Eric, Erica, Erik, Erik, Erik, Erika, Erin, Ernest, Ernest, Esequiel, Esther, Ethan, Ethen, Evan, Evan, Fabian, Fabiola, Felicia, Felicita, Felipe, Felix, Felix, Ferdinand, Fernando, Fernando, Frances, Francisca, Francisco, Francisco, Frank, Frank, Frank, Frank, Franklin, Frederick, Fritz, Fulgencio, Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriela, Garrett, Garry, Gary, Gary, Gary, Gary, Gary, Gauge, Gena Marie, Genesis, Gentorica, George, George, Georgetta, Gerald, Gerard, Gerard, Gerardo, Gerardo, Gilberto, Gilberto, Gilberto, Gina, Ginger, Giovanni, Glen, Glenn, Gloria, Glynn, Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, Grand, Greg, Gregory, Gregory, Gretchen, Guillermo, Gustavo, Hannah, Harold, Harrel, Harry, Harvey, Harvey, Hayden, Hazel, Hazel, Heather, Heather, Hector, Hector, Hector, Heily, Heisha, Helen, Henry, Heriberto, Hevin, Hilton, Hoi, Holly, Horvin, Hubert, Hubert, Hugh, Hunter, Hunter, Ian, Ijunanya, Ileana, Imma, Iraida, Iris, Irma, Irma, Irvin, Irving, Isabel, Isabel, Israel, Itamar, Ivan, Ivanhnell, Ivelisse, Ivette, Ivey, Jacinto, Jackson, Jaclyn, Jacob, Jacqueline, Jacqulyn, Jadiel, Jahquez, Jaime, Jairo, Jakayla, Jakeda, Jamar, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, James, Jamie, Jan, Jan, Janet, Janet, Janice, Janice, Janiel, Jared, Jarred, Jarret, Jasmin, Jasmine, Jasmine, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jason, Javan, Javier, Javier, Javier, Jay, Jay, Jayson, Jean, Jeanette, Jeannet, Jeeffrey, Jeffery, Jeffery, Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jenifer, Jennell, Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer, Jequan, Jeramy, Jeremey, Jeremy, Jerome, Jerome, Jeronimo, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jesse, Jesse, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Cruz, Jillian, Jimmie, Joaquin, Joe, Joey, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, John, Johnathon, Johnny, Johnny, Jonathan, Jonathan, Jonathena, Joni, Jordan, Jordan, Jordana, Jorge, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose, Josefina, Josefina, Joselyne, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, Jovannie, Juan, Juan, Juan, Juan, Juan, Juan, Juan, Juan, Juan, Juan, Judson, Judy, Julia, Julia, Julia, Julio, Julius, Justice, Justin, Justin, Justino, Justo, Kaitlin, Kala, Kalvin, Kameron, Kara, Karen, Karen, Karen, Karen Marie, Karista, Karl, Karoy, Karrian, Kasey, Katherine, Katherine, Katherine, Kathleen, Kathy, Kathy, Katrel, Kayla, Kayla, Kaylee, Keith, Keith, Keith, Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, Kenane, Kenlee, Kenneth, Kenneth, Kenneth, Kenneth, Kenneth, Kenneth, Kennetha, Kennya, Kent, Kent, Kenyon, Keon, Kerry, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevork, Khadijah, Khalilah, Kim, Kolton, Korey, Krisstina, Kristine, Kristine, Krystal, Kurt, Kyle, Kyra, Lafrancine, Lakeshia, Lakisha, Larry, Larry, Larry, Larry, Larry, Larry, Latasha, Latraye, Laura, Laura, Laura, Laura, Laurie, Lawrence, Lee, Lee, Leigh Ann, Lenee, Leo, Leo, Leon, Leonard, Leroy, Leslie, Lester, Letha, Lewis, Lexus, Liam, Liam, Liane, Lilia, Lilian, Lillia, Linda, Lindsay, Lindsey, Linwood, Lisa, Lisa, Lisa, Logan, Lonnie, Lorenco, Lorene, Lori, Lorri, Lorrie, Louis, Louis, Louis, Louis, Loyd, Loye, Luca, Luciana, Luciano, Lucrecia, Lucy, Luis, Luis, Luis, Luis, Luis, Luis, Luis, Luis, Luis, Luis, Luis, Lurlene, Luther, Luther, Luz, Luz, Lydia, Lyle, Lynwood, Mackenzie, Madison, Majesty, Manuel, Manuel, Manuel, Manuel, Manuel, Marcelo, Marcia, Marcie, Marcus, Margaret, Margarita, Margarita, Margarita, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Marianis, Marianne, Marie, Marielly, Marina, Marina, Mario, Marisol, Marius, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Markus, Marlena, Marlon, Marquise, Marsha, Marvin, Marvin, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Maryangelly, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Maurice, Maurice, Maxdave, Mayra, Melanie, Melissa, Melissa, Melissa, Melissa, Melissa, Melvin, Melvin, Mercedes, Messiah, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Micheal, Michele, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Miguel, Miguel, Miguel, Miguel, Miguelina, Milagros, Miles, Milqueya, Minerva, Miracle, Miriam, Mitchell, Molly, Monica, Monica, Monique, Myra, Myral, Nancy, Nancy, Nancy, Naporschia, Nashly, Nastashja, Natalie, Natalie, Natalya, Natasha, Nathan, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Navonte, Nayda, Necole, Neil, Nelida, Nellie, Nelson, Nelson, Nelson, Nelson, Nelson, Nequan, Nessiel, Neveah, NhiJhan, Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicole, Nicole, Nicole, Nicole, Nidarius, Nijar, Noah, Noel, Norman, Norman, Obis, Octavio, Odlanyer, Oliver, Olivia, Omar, Omar, Omar, Omari, Onyx, Oquisha, Orlando, Orlando, Orlando, Orlando, Orlando, Oscar, Osvaldo, Otis, Owen, Owen, Pablo, Pablo, Pablo, Pablo, Paige, Pamela, Pamela, Parker, Parker, Patricia, Patricia, Patrick, Patrick, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paula, Paula, Pax, Payton, Pearlie, Pedro, Pedro, Pedro, Pedro, Pernell, Peter, Peter, Peter, Peter, Peter, Philemon, Phillip, Phillip, Phillip, Phillip, Phison, Phuc, Radames, Rafael, Rafael, Rafael, Rafael, Ralph, Ralph, Raluek, Ramon, Ramon, Randall, Randall, Randall, Randall, Randolph, Randy, Randy, Randy, Randy, Randy, Raul, Raul, Raul, Raven, Reba, Rebecca, Rebecca, Remington, Renay, Rene, Rene, Rex, Rhonda, Ricardo, Ricardo, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard, Rickie, Rickie, Robbie, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Roberta, Roberto, Roberto, Roberto, Roberto, Roberto, Robin, Robin, Robin, Robin, Robin, Rodney, Rodney, Roger, Rolande, Rolando, Rolando, Rollyann, Roman, Ronald, Ronald, Ronald, Ronell, Ronnie, Rony, Rosemary, Rosita, Rowan, Roy, Roy, Roy, Roy, Rozlyn, Ruben, Russell, Rusty, Ruth, Ruth, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryder, Sabastian, Samantha, Sammy, Samuel, Samuel, Sandra, Sandra, Sandra, Sandy, Sanford, Sara, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, Sa’Rai, Saul, Savannah, Scott, Scott, Scott, Scott, Sergio, Shanna, Shannon, Sharidon, Sharon, Sharon, Sharon, Sharon, Shawn, Sheena, Sheila, Shelby, Sheldon, Sheri, Sherlyn, Sherry, Shirley, Shirley, Shirley, Simeon, Simeon, Sithian, Skylar, Sofia, Sonya, Soon-ae, Spencer, Spencer, Stacey, Stacy, Stanley, Stanley, Steeve, Stefanie, Stella, Stephan, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Steve, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Sue, Susan, Susan, Suzanne, Sydney, Tah’byiaz, Tamara, Tammie, Tammy, Tania, Tanyaliz, Taylor, Taylor, Terence, Terence, Teresa, Teresa, Teresa, Terry, Terry, Terry, Thanh, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Thomasena, Tiffani, Tiffany, Tiffany, Timothy, Timothy, Timothy, Timothy, Tina, Tomas, Tommy, Tony, Tony, Tonya, Toriano, Tracey, Tracy, Truth, Tyla, Tyler, Tyler, Tyrod, Tyrone, Uziel, Valentin, Valeriana, Van, Vanessa, Vaymond, Verna, Veronica, Veronica, Vicente, Vickie, Vicky, Victor, Victor, Victoria, Vincent, Vincent, Vincent, Vincent, Vincent, Vinicio, Virgil, Vivian, Vy, Wade, Walberto, Walter, Walter, Wandel, Waylon, Wayne, Wayne, Wendell, Wendy, Whitney, Wilber, Wilfredo, Wilfrido, Will, Willard, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, William, Willie, Wilmaris, Wilyaniel, Woodworth, Wyatt, Xaleon, Yahima, Yarelis, Yaviriel, Yazmin, Yolanda, Yonaida, Zachary, Zachary, Zachary, Zakkary, Zbigniew, Zebelon, Zoee, Zoey, Zulma

LifeLink Leadership Foundation Executive Staff

Divisional Executive Staff

Board of Governors

Ms. Jean Aiken Davis

Liz M. Lehr, B.S.N., M.H.A.

Dennis F. Heinrichs, B.S.N., M.B.A.

President / Chief Executive Officer

Senior Vice President / Executive Director LifeLink of Florida

Chair of the Board

LifeLink Foundation

Vice Chair

Corporate Headquarters 9661 Delaney Creek Boulevard Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 253-2640 (800) 262-5775

Executive Director LifeLink of Georgia

Dana L. Shires, M.D.

LifeLink of Florida

Lee Langley, R.N., C.P.T.C.

Victor D. Bowers, M.D.

Vice President / Associate Director LifeLink of Georgia

William Cleveland, M.D.

Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Antonio de Vera, PE

Mr. Benjamin James

Arthur J. Heinrichs, B.S., C.C.P.

Executive Director LifeLink of Puerto Rico

Larry F. Jones, B.A.

Mr. Michael Consilvio

Christina L. Klein, M.D.

Executive Director / General Manager LifeLink Tissue Bank

William M. LeFor, Ph.D.

Mark Strong, R.N.

Robert Metzger, M.D.

Stephanie Hernandez, MAcc Chief Financial Officer / Vice President

Ms. Kathleen Lilly Executive Vice President of Organ Procurement Organization Operations

Ruth Duncan Bell, B.A., M.P.A.

Senior Vice President / Corporate Compliance Officer

Catherine A. Masessa B.A., SPHR, SHRM-SCP Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Dustin T. Diggs, FACHE

John A. Rhon, B.S.C.S., M.H.S.A.

Senior Vice President / Associate Executive Director LifeLink Tissue Bank

Senior Vice President, Information Systems

Brad Bassler, M.B.A. Vice President, Operations LifeLink Tissue Bank

Ms. Bobbie Pierson Vice President, Communications Services

Founder and Board Member Emeritus

Mr. William J. Meurer Mr. Harold W. Mullis, Jr. Luis A. Morales Otero, M.D. Thomas C. Pearson, M.D., Ph.D.

Elizabeth Horn-Brinson M.T., B.S., A.S.C.P.

Ms. Brandi Quinn

Vice President, Quality Assurance LifeLink Tissue Bank

Jeffrey L. Seavey, CFP®

Mr. Tim Ignatius Vice President, Sales and Marketing LifeLink Tissue Bank

Mayra Lopez-Cepero Ph.D., Dip ABHI

®

Ms. Jean Aiken Davis

Marty Sellers, M.D., MPH Dara M. Simon, C.P.A. Esther Torres, M.D. Joel T. VanSickler, M.D.

Senior Vice President / Director LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory

J. David Vega, M.D.

Donna Becker, M.T., C.H.S.

Board Member Emeritus

Vice President / Manager LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory

Deborah Winegard, J.D.

John D. Whelchel, M.D.

James J. Wynn, M.D. Ms. Trish Carroll Employee Representative

Stephanie Hernandez, MAcc

www.LifeLinkFoundation.org

Treasurer (Not a Governor)

Ms. Linda Arant Corporate Secretary (Not a Governor) PHOTOGRAPHY: BARBARA BANKS GRAPHIC DESIGN: SHE DESIGNS

9661 Delaney Creek Boulevard Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 348-6308 (800) 350-9130

LifeLink Tissue Bank

9661 Delaney Creek Boulevard Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 886-8111 (800) 683-2400

LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory

9661 Delaney Creek Boulevard Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 253-3866 (800) 262-5775

LifeLink of Georgia Atlanta Office

2875 Northwoods Parkway Norcross, GA 30071 (770) 225-5465 (800) 544-6667

LifeLink of Georgia Augusta Office

2743 Perimeter Parkway Building 200, Suite 230 Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 854-0333 (800) 544-6667

LifeLink of Georgia Savannah Office

17 Park of Commerce Boulevard Suite 203 Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 341-0000 (800) 365-2066

LifeLink of Puerto Rico Metro Office Park 1 Calle 1, Suite 100 Guaynabo, PR 00968-1711 (787) 277-0900 (800) 558-0977