IMPRINT
GTF
MAGAZINE
“Alone We Can Do So Little, Together We Can Do So Much More”
- Helen Keller
ISSUE 13 • 2019
LASTING IMPRINT Our 2018 Donor Report is featured in the back of this issue
THREE-13 SALON, SPA & BOUTIQUE PRESENTS
9TH ANNUAL ANGELS OF LIFE HAIR & FASHION SHOW Benefiting:
Sunday October 13, 2019 - 5:30PM
-NEW LOCATION- COBB GALLERIA
During our event you will hear real life testimonies from transplant recipients and donor families who share their heartwarming journey and how GTF came to their aid during a time of need. The evening highlights a 200+ live and silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, live entertainment, music and the gift of life inspiring Hair and Fashion show by Three-13’s Artistic Team! “Angel of Life” Donation since 2011, $460,313!!!
Sponsorship - Tickets - Donations - visit three-13.com/angels Christina - 770-426-0313
IN EVERY ISSUE
04 DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Together, we can accomplish anything. Having a support system is the key to transplant success.
06 ENRICHING LIVES
[table of contents]
CONTENTS News and updates on all things GTF
18
09 PROGRAM CORNER
Some of our programs and services
RELIEVING ACADEMIC CHALLENGES FOR RENAL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS
09 JumpStart Program 10 Marriage Enrichment Retreat 20 Tutoring Assistance
21 NEWS YOU CAN USE
Self-Care Tips for Caregivers
EXCLUSIVE
23 LASTING IMPRINT: A DONOR REPORT
GTF’s report to our donors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.
12
MENTORING ON THE MEND
The Mentor Project
22
FEATURES
HAPPENINGS
All of our upcoming events, conferences, workshops, etc
14 RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
How a chance encounter led to a second chance at life.
CONNECT WITH US!
15 DR. HUMPHRIES’ LEGACY
Remembering Dr. Humphries and his many contributions to transplantation.
@gatransplant
16 LOVE AND TRANSPLANT
She found her prince charming and Superman, all in one
@georgiatransplant
@gatransplant
@georgia-transplant-foundation GA TRANSPLANT
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PAT ROTCHFORD Executive Director RITA MICHAELS, MA Director, Operations and Marketing LISA CARLOTTA Finance Director REBEKAH MOSHIRI, LMSW Director, Patient Services ANGELL BRAY-DARDEN, MSW Manager, Patient Services LATONIA PATTERSON Manager, Transplant Fundraising Program VIVIAN TOMLINSON Program Director, JumpStart DEB LONG, MSW Coordinator, The Mentor Project and Transplant Education
The acceptance of advertising in this publication does not constitute or imply endorsement by the Georgia Transplant Foundation of any advertised product or service.
GTF Imprint Magazine is published once a year by the Georgia Transplant Foundation, 2201 Macy Drive, Roswell, GA 30076. @2019 Issue 13.
Comments, questions or inquiries? Send us an email to: Imprint@GaTransplant.org
P
artnerships…working hand-in-hand is what makes both transplantation and the Georgia Transplant Foundation (GTF) work!
In order for a transplant to happen there has to be a donor, either living or deceased, and a recipient – one who gives and one who receives. Another important element is the caregiver. If this piece is missing, the transplant just isn’t able to happen. Caregivers are there to support the recipient on his or her journey to wellness. We applaud these individuals who give without wanting anything in return, but the success of the transplant recipient. The same principles apply to the Georgia Transplant Foundation. We were founded by Tommy Smith in 1992 solely for the purpose of offering financial, emotional and educational support to the transplant community in the state of Georgia. Our mission wouldn’t be possible without the numerous contributors, supporters and community partners who give financially and with their time to keep GTF alive through their generosity. In turn, we also have our caregivers beginning with the GTF Board of Directors made up of 26 extremely busy individuals who find the time, between their work and families, to support and guide the Foundation's mission. In addition, there are more than 100 volunteers who assist us with everything from stuffing envelopes and filing in the office to working at our various fundraisers. These people make it possible for GTF to keep our staff and administrative costs low, which results in more funds that can go directly to our state's transplant community. We are proud to say that 85% of all funds raised go directly to the transplant community. Even the staff realizes that working at GTF is a vocation rather than a “job.” It is our responsibility to be the caretakers of Tommy Smith’s dream. We partner with doctors, nurses, social workers and financial coordinators from Georgia's four transplant centers. They are our eyes and ears, providing us with insight on the transplant patients and any trends/needs they believe should be addressed through GTF's programs and services. With their help, we get a better understanding and make the appropriate changes when needed. No single part of this process can work without the other – no one part is more important than the other. It is together that we find our strength! So, when you receive financial, educational or emotional assistance from the Georgia Transplant Foundation, you are being lifted up by hundreds of individuals who recognize that a strong support system is the key to transplant success at all levels. "Together we can do much more" and we are here to make your transplant journey a smooth one! Sincerely,
GTF
IMPRINT
MAGAZINE
4 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
(celebratelife) APRIL 13, 2019 INTERCONTINENTAL BUCKHEAD HOTEL
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS EVENT A WONDERFUL SUCCESS!
LIVER TRANSPLANT PROGRAM
THE DEAVOURS FAMILY HEART TRANSPLANT PROGRAM
DR. MICHAEL HOROWITZ PIEDMONT KIDNEY PHYSICIANS DR. JOSH AND MRS. SHARON WOLF; DRS. JON AND JENNI HUNDLEY; DRS. CHRISTINA AND DREW KLEIN; DR. ERIC AND MRS. YVONNE GIBNEY; DR. JOSE LIZCANO AND MS. PAULA CHESSER PIEDMONT TRANSPLANT SURGEONS DR. AND MRS. MIGUEL TAN; DR. MELISSA GIBBS; DR. HARRISON AND MRS. DANA POLLINGER; DR. AND MRS. EMMANUEL MINJA; DR. AND MRS. MARWAN KAZIMI
HEART CENTER
HAVE A HEART BENEFIT MR. ED AND MRS. CONNIE DALY
DR. MICHAEL GALLICHIO
MR. AND MRS. WARREN SHIVER PIEDMONT LIVER TRANSPLANT DRS. LANCE AND TANYA STEIN; DR. DAVINA BHASIN; DR. RAHUL MAHESHWARI; DR. RAYMOND RUBIN; DR. SHEELA REDDY; DR. ROSHAN SHRESTHA; DR. AND MRS. EMMANUEL MINJA
DR. ANDREW SMITH & EMORY HEART TRANSPLANT PROGRAM
EMORY TRANSPLANT ANESTHESIOLOGY
DR. CINNAMON & MR. ERIC SULLIVAN, DR. GAURAV AND MRS. NAHA PATEL
DR. DAVID O’BRIEN
DR. ANDY SMITH AND DR. LISA HASTY
DR. AND MRS. CARLOS ZAYAS MR. AND MRS. DAVID PERME DR. AND MRS. DAVID MARKHAM JOYCE AND RAMIE TRITT FAMILY FOUNDATION DR. JENNIE PERRYMAN AND MR. DAN PILE PIEDMONT PHARMACISTS: DR. ROSEMARY CROSS, DR. THUY OMMERT AND DR. ALEXA RAY SMITH & HOWARD, PC
LESLIE AND ROBERT ROTHBERG MARY M. AND LANCE J. CUNHA ENCOMPASS RX JIM AND CAROLYN RITICHER MARY LU AND WADE MITCHELL MR. AND MRS. ALBERT BOLET, III VELOXIS PHARMACEUTICALS TSYS - TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES RILEY MCLENDON, LLC
GA TRANSPLANT
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[enriching lives]
SCHOLARSHIP
WINNERS R
Angell Bray-Darden, Rebekah Moshiri, and Deb Long (from left)
STAFF CHANGES P
rior to retiring on January 31st, Sandy McMath, LCSW dedicated her 30+ year career to enriching the lives of Georgia's transplant community. As a founding board member, she was devoted to GTF's vision and mission before we even had one!
In 1999, Sandy joined the GTF staff full-time as the Director of Patient Services, where she played a pivotal role in the creation and implementation of many of the Foundation's patient programs and support services. We are forever grateful to Sandy for the imprint she has left on GTF and the community we serve. Under Sandy's direction and guidance, Rebekah Moshiri, LMSW and Deb Long, MSW first came to GTF as interns with the Patient Services Program in 2007 and 2008. Rebekah became a full-time staff member four years ago in her role as Patient Services Manager, and more recently has been promoted to Director of Patient Services, where she oversees and manages all of
6 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
our patient programs.
Upon completing her internship, Deb worked as the Patient Services Assistant for several years before leaving GTF to start her own school.
In the last year, we have been excited to welcome Deb back part-time as our Transplant Education and Mentor Project Coordinator. In this role, she coordinates all of our Trends iN Transplant conferences and manages The Mentor Project. The newest addition to our staff is Angell Bray-Darden, MSW who was hired on as our Patient Services Manager. Angell is in charge of GTF's direct financial assistance programs and our outreach initiatives, including: health fairs, dialysis centers lobby days, and in-service speaking engagements. Angell comes to us from Detroit, MI by way of FSU where she earned her Master's Degree in Social Work. We are very excited to have her as the newest member of our staff and hope that you will help us welcome her to the GTF family.
ealizing that transplantation poses financial hardships on the entire family, GTF annually awards academic scholarships to selected students. These students must be enrolled in an accredited institution or will be beginning such a program, and are a transplant recipients, dependents of a transplant recipient, living donors, parents, or the sibling of a transplant recipient under the age of 22. Scholarship applications are accepted yearround, but must be post-marked by May 1 to be considered for that year’s grant cycle. Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $1,000, renewable for one to four years, subject to educational program and grade requirements. This year, we had 11 scholarships to award and received 32 applications for consideration. We are pleased to announce GTF's 2019 Academic Scholarship winners: •
• • • • • • • • • •
Johnny Adair, Liver Recipient; Georgia Gwinnett College/Film and Media Liam Chandler, Child of Liver Recipient; Appalachian State University/Sustainable Technology Ty Olson, Living Liver Donor to his Mother; Kennesaw State University/Criminal Justice Hannah Hoyt, Sibling to Kidney Recipient; Augusta University/Cell and Molecular Biology Pedro Silva, Sibling to Kidney Recipient; University of Georgia/Mechanical Engineering Shavonnia Holmes, Liver Recipient; Kennesaw State University/Nursing Kaitlyn Hickox, Liver Recipient; Kennesaw State University/Nursing Hampton Woods, Liver Recipient; University of Georgia/Biological Engineering and Business Mikayla Cleary, Child of Kidney Recipient and Living Donor; Kennesaw State University/ Physical Therapy Sadie Walsh, Child of Heart Recipient; Georgia Southern University/Communication Sciences Bailey Gray, Living Donor and Child of Kidney Recipient; University of Georgia/Biology
For more information about our Academic Scholarship Program, go to: GaTransplant.org and click on the “Support Programs” tab.
G
eorgia Transplant Foundation's Board of Directors includes dedicated professionals from Georgia's four transplant centers, the state-wide organ recovery agency, community business leaders, transplant recipients, and volunteers who are working together to improve the quality of life of those affected by transplantation. In 2019, we welcomed our unanimously elected two-year term new Board President, Dr. David Markham. In addition, the following
three new members join our Board of Directors: Connie Daly, Martha Stipsits, and Melvin Morris. "We are pleased to have Connie, Martha, and Melvin join the Board. Each of them brings vast experience and knowledge which will serve GTF well," said Pat Rotchford, Georgia Transplant Foundation's Executive Director. "We are looking forward to their contributions as and input as our organization continues growing each year."
After more than nine years of participation and four years as Treasurer, Stephen Poston rotated off the Board this year. We would like to thank him for his years of service and for continuing to volunteer his time by being a part of the GTF Finance Committee.
[enriching lives]
NEW YEAR = NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Bill Backus who served as the Board President for the last four years.
MELVIN MORRIS
MARTHA STIPSITS
CONNIE DALY
DAVID MARKHAM
Melvin is a heart transplant recipient and the Founder of Lite House Kids, a nonprofit established to create community enrichment centers that serve families by providing access to technology, academic support services and extracurricular activities that add to the quality of life for all for all community members.
Martha is the Transplant Administrator at Augusta University Medical Center since 2017.
Connie is a long-time volunteer and active supporter of GTF. She has helped in the office with various programs, served on the Academic Scholarship Committee, and attended numerous fundraising events hosted by GTF.
Dr. Markham is the Medical Director of the Emory Heart Failure Clinic at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital. He is an experienced heart failure and transplant cardiologist and has performed groundbreaking work in the area of assist device physiology.
Connie is a kidney transplant recipient from her husband, Ed, who donated one of his kidneys to save her life.
For the last 16 years, Dr. Markham has worked at a hospital in Haiti, helping with research and the treatment of patients affected by peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Before serving on GTF's Board, Melvin worked with JumpStart as a Strategic Partner in helping our clients get back to work.
Prior to her current role, Martha was in the US Army for seven years and served as a Critical Care RN in Iraq, Kansas, Texas, and Hawaii. In 2008, she began working at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis were she was the Liver Transplant Coordinator and the Manager of Abdominal Organ Transplant.
GA TRANSPLANT
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[CelebrateLife] G
eorgia Transplant Foundation’s second annual Celebrate Life gala was an even bigger success than we could have hoped. Held on Saturday, April 13 at the Intercontinental Buckhead Atlanta Hotel, nearly 450 business leaders, physicians, healthcare professionals, philanthropists and GTF supporters came out to "celebrate life." Attendees enjoyed an evening of musical entertainment, dancing, auctions, and stories of inspiration from the event’s honorees who were recognized for their respective roles as champions in the organ transplant community. With the tremendous support of our Presenting Sponsors, Piedmont Healthcare and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Pediatric Liver Transplant Program, our Gift of Life Sponsors, the Deavours family, Shane’s Rib Shack and Emory Transplant Center, and the amazing generosity of many corporate donors, long-time supporters and friends, nearly $300,000 was raised in support GTF’s mission.
The evening’s program was emceed by Tom Clark and featured music from pianist and entertainer Mark Kovaly who took requests and had the crowd up on their feet throughout the night, dancing and singing along. The 2019 Trailblazer Award was given to Dr. David O'Brien for his lifelong commitment to transplantation and kidney-failure patients in Georgia. Awards were also presented to Dr. Ken Sutha, a two-time kidney transplant recipient, who truly illustrates what it means to "celebrate life" by giving back each day though his career as a pediatric nephrologist and in his personal life through
8 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
his engagement with the transplant community. Ken's Emory Transplant team, led by Drs. Tom Pearson and Chris Larsen, were also recognized for their leadership and innovation in the field of transplant. Nick May was also identified as a heart transplant recipient at the age of three. He is a thriving thirty year-old father to a precious 9 month-old daughter who accompanied him on stage as he was honored alongside his surgeon, Dr. Kirk Kanter.
With his daughter in his arms, Nick illustrated the power of transplantation and that without Dr. Kanter and his team’s effort, diligence, and dedication 27 years earlier, Nick's little girl would not be here today - it was a true "celebration of life." In 2018, the Celebrate Life Gala replaced our Tom Glavine’s Spring Training event as GTF's signature fundraiser. Proceeds from the event directly benefit pediatric and adult transplant patients, by sustaining GTF’s financial, educational, and emotional support programs. Page 5 of this magazine has a full listing of our 2019 Celebrate Life Gala sponsors. We would like to also extend our sincerest thanks to Mike Sortor Photography and Gray Saunders Photography for their time and talents in capturing the evening through their pictures. SAVE THE DATE! The third annual Celebrate Life Gala will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the JW Marriott Buckhead. Connect with us on social media to get the latest event updates or visit www.gatransplant.org/celebratelife for additional details.
SUCCESS T
he JumpStart Program, a return-to-work initiative, helps organ transplant candidates, recipients, and their families accomplish career goals through its strategic partnerships and educational resources. Through strategic partnerships, JumpStart is able to meet individual needs and refer clients to resources that can support the transition to employment. Referrals to educational resources and training are a vital service offered to JumpStart clients. Shortterm training can enhance the transition to employment by making the client more marketable. One of the state-wide resources that JumpStart uses is the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
Below are some job-ready skills offered through the Technical College System of Georgia, tuition free, Hope Career Grant, which could be of interest as you embark on your job search. The state of Georgia is currently undergoing an expansion of many of its industries, including: • Healthcare and Life Sciences • Information Technology • Automotive Manufacturing • Logistics and Transportation • Manufacturing As these industries continue growing, more employment opportunities are rising and there is
a lack of skilled workers able to fill the positions. TCSG is addressing this skills gap through the HOPE Career Grant, which provides free tuition to students enrolled in one of the 17 programs that are aligned with highneed industries. These industries were identified by Governor Deal’s High-Demand Career Initiative and the General Assembly as being strategically important to the state’s economic growth. The grant, which was implemented in 2013 for three key industries, now benefits qualified students who enroll in one of the following 17 program areas: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Automotive Technology Aviation Certified Engineer Assistant Commercial Truck Driving Computer Programming Computer Technology Construction Diesel Equipment Technology Early Childhood Care and Education Electrical Line Worker Health Science Industrial Maintenance Logistics Movie Production/Set Design Practical Nursing Precision Manufacturing Welding & Joining Technology
To receive the HOPE Career Grant, students must first qualify for the HOPE Grant, which applies to diplomas and certificates only rather than the HOPE Scholarship,
The HOPE Career Grant provides free tuition to students enrolled in 17 program areas.
[program]corner]
TRAIN FOR
which applies to Associate and Bachelor degrees. The HOPE Grant is available for students of any age. A student can attend college parttime and does not have to have a qualifying high school GPA, but must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA once enrolled in college. The HOPE Career Grant is also available to recipients of the Zell Miller Grant, which, in addition to HOPE Grant requirements, stipulates that students must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA at the end of each college term. While the HOPE Career Grant opportunities are open for any qualified student pursuing a certificate or diploma at a public college in Georgia, students at the 22 colleges of TCSG have been the main beneficiaries. More than 39,000 students were enrolled in a high-demand career field program in 2018, and more than 25,000 diplomas and/or certificates were awarded. For more information about the JumpStart Program and HOPE Career Grant, please call the JumpStart referral line at 678-514-1183 or email us at JumpStart@gatransplant.org. GA TRANSPLANT
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[program]corner]
A STEP W TOGETHER “I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow.”
hile almost every married couple vows to stay together “in sickness and in health,” the constant strain of an extended illness can wear down even the strongest of marriages. On the other hand, surviving adversity together can also provide an opportunity for strengthening bonds. The transplantation process can be an especially trying time. The primary caregiver, who is often a spouse, experiences the emotional roller coaster of transplantation as much as the transplant recipient. Marriages are tested when chronic illness plays a role in the relationship. Looking at it another way, “chronic wellness” -- as we like to call transplantation -- can also change the existing dynamics of a partnership. Recognizing that the serious illness of a family member is a particularly challenging event, GTF began offering the first marriage enrichment weekend retreat in 2005 and we have hosted another twelve since then.
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to the Just Heart Foundation for their partnership and support of the Marriage Enrichment Weekend.
10 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
Titled “A Step Together,” the retreat is open to 30 couples who have recently been affected by transplant (a spouse or the parents of a child who received a transplant more than six months prior). The weekend is designed for couples who value their marriage and want their relationship to be strong and enduring while dealing with the
[program]corner]
there were a lot of areas in life that he was not happy with; that he would talk and I would always interrupt. The discussions gave us time to work on our relationship and helped us re-focus ourselves so that we were able to communicate again.”
stress related to transplantation. The goal of “A Step Together” is to enhance the couple’s relationship, resulting in stronger communication, greater intimacy, and mutual support. The program provides an opportunity for the partners to learn skills and to share experiences that help increase their mutual understanding and commitment to each other. Topics covered during the workshop sessions include: effective communication, coping strategies, intimacy, conflict resolution and planning for the future. The program also allows couples the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the special issues that arise following a transplant, and to develop the skills necessary to make a plan toward specific marital and family goals. The weekend retreat is held in a beautiful, secluded conference site overlooking the Frederica River on gorgeous St. Simons Island. Jackson P. Rainer, PhD, a nationally renowned psychologist specializing in couples dealing with chronic illness, facilitates the experience. The weekend kicks off on a Friday evening with an opening ice-breaker session. Following Saturday morning breakfast, the program begins and covers topics such as:
“Thank you for giving us a big dose of hope & encouragement – feels like new life has been breathed into a caregivers’ life and I’m equipped with tools to cope!” •
•
• • • •
Understanding and Respecting Your Relationship: Characteristics of successful couples; “marriage is for life”; changes brought on by transplant; assessing the strength of your marriage. Communication -- Just Because I Love You Doesn’t Mean I Understand You: Discussion of characteristics of effective communication and what role listening plays in a marriage. Roles, Rules and Rituals: Identifying roles that keep a family in balance. For Myself and You: Myths of sexuality; sex after transplant. The Art of Relaxation: Couples massage therapy. Rediscovering Delight: Compassion, desire, and vulnerability; going for simplicity.
“We especially enjoyed the discussion about respect,” says liver-kidney transplant recipient and previous marriage retreat attendee, Christina. “Through the discussion, I realized that
Couples are expertly guided through each agenda topic by lecture and discussion and then provided with exercises to be completed together. The groups then reconvene to discuss what they have learned or discovered through the task. It is a relaxed atmosphere and group discussions focus on the process rather than the personal content. Past attendees are appreciative for the opportunity to talk over marital issues in a structured setting, and the positive tone contributed to the success of the enrichment weekend. If even one couple was inspired to create positive change in their relationship as a result of the marriage retreat, we will happily consider it a success.
“Whether you have a good relationship with your significant other or are in one that needs improvement, the Marriage Retreat helps you re-focus your attention on each other instead of the transplant as the center of discussion,” says Christine. “You don’t feel alone or as though you are the only person with these feelings and questions. You meet others that are in the same boat as you and no one is judging you.” By the end of the weekend, your partnership will be stronger with the tools and knowledge necessary to help get through the tough times and communicate more effectively with one-another.
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[program]corner]
MENTORING
WHILE ON THE MEND by Tamara Walker
A
fter being diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) at the age of 25 and subsequently going into kidney failure at 38, I had no other option but to start dialysis treatments. The thought of having to prepare for the life-changing process of hemodialysis was challenging by itself. But in addition, I was required to have treatments three times a week, every week, which made things even more difficult with my tight schedule. With each treatment, I had to just “sit tight” as the dialyser rendered life-saving dialysis treatments to rid my body of toxic build up. All I could do was wait for it to be over. Fear, coupled with numerous questions, would regularly consume my thoughts as I considered transplantation as a tangible
12 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
TAMARA & SHANTE
Support is Key to a Successful Transplant Journey
and viable option to healthier living. The unknown and untold became unsettling and unnerving. I had so many questions about the transplant process and if it was the best treatment option for me. I did not know who to turn to for answers, which caused me great anxiety. After about six months on dialysis, I decided that I wanted to be put on the transplant waiting list and that it was the best option for me. I continued my dialysis routine for the next year and half, until that fateful day in 2014 when I finally received my second chance at life in the form of a kidney transplant.
“Mentors can help calm fear, distress about the transplant and allow comfort in moving forward.” Throughout those two years of waiting for “the call” and being on dialysis, I very often had questions and didn’t know who or where to turn for answers. The opportunity to turn to
w
After receiving my transplant, I decided very early on that I did not want to waste this new precious gift of life and I knew that I wanted to give back as a volunteer. I attended my first GTF Trends In Transplant (TNT) Conference in October 2016 at which point I heard about The Mentor Project and knew that I wanted to be a part of it. The very same day, I signed up to be a mentor and to go through the training class. My desire to give back, along with the mentor training workshop I went through, made the time spent and effort all worthwhile.
THE
MENTOR PROJECT
[Feature]
someone for guidance who was familiar with the ups and downs of transplant, who had successfully been through the process, and could have helped me through the unpredictable road of receiving a new organ, would have been instrumental and something I really wanted to have.
Through The Mentor Project, a trained mentor is paired with a pre-transplant patient (mentee) who they can share their personal transplant journey with and offer support in the form of as-needed/as-wanted one-onone contact between the two individuals. This helps to calm fear and distress about transplantation and allows comfort in moving forward. Having a person that has already been on the transplant journey who you can talk to and ask about their own personal experience and share helpful information relating their transplant, is extremely helpful. A mentor can answer questions you might have about expectations or the transplant process much better than a friend or family member who is not familiar with transplantation. Shante Boyd was my first assigned mentee. We talked one-on-one by phone many times before finally meeting in person at the 2017 Atlanta TNT Conference. Throughout the last couple of years, we have been encouraging each other and continuously sharing our transplant experience and milestones along the road. After receiving her kidney transplant in 2018, Shante decided to become a volunteer mentor and pay it forward in the same way I was able to be a source of knowledge and understanding for her during her journey. She will soon begin doing the same for others going through the transplant process. Tamara and Shante continue to pay it forward as trained members of GTF’s Mentor Project and active volunteers at the Foundation’s TNT Conferences. Both are kidney transplant recipients, Tamara Walker is from Athens, GA and Shante Byrd is from Rex, GA.
The Mentor Project provides contact and support between those successfully living with an organ transplant and those awaiting a transplant or that have recently been transplanted. The PURPOSE is to share specialized knowledge gained from personal experience, giving hope and overcoming fear. The MISSION of the program is to provide confidential, individualized, one-on-one support for people at all stages of transplantation through personal contact with a trained mentor. Mentors can be transplant recipients, living donors, VAD recipients & caregivers. Mentees can be transplant candidates, dialysis patients listed or considering being listed for a kidney transplant, living donors, caregivers and parent of children affected by transplant. Mentor training workshops are now being offered as an afternoon session at the TNT conferences around the state. For more information about The Mentor Project, or if you would like to request a mentor/become a mentor, visit: gatransplant.org/mentor-project.
GA TRANSPLANT • 13
[Feature]
A NEW FAMILY Pictured: Tracy Sudduth, living donor to Nathaniel Pearson, transplant recipient, his three sons, alongside his wife, Dorothy Pearson
RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
FROM STRANGERS TO FAMILY by Tracy Sudduth
O
n August 24, 2017, in preparation for Hurricane Matthew to touchdown, I was helping a friend at his parent’s home in Camden County where we were getting his bed-ridden mom ready to be transported to a safer place. As I was reading Psalms 91, his mom's neighbor, Dorothy, came to visit. I do not usually involve myself in other’s conversations, but I could feel that Mrs. Dorothy kept looking at me, so I began paying attention. After asking a few questions, I learned that she and her husband, Mr. Nathaniel, were going to Oklahoma to be put on a donor list, because they felt like their chances of a match was better there than in our area. When she said that he needed O blood, I stated, “Well, I have O blood.” She was very surprised and said, "You do?” I said, “Yes, tell me what I need to do to see if I am a match.” She kept telling me to think about it for a while before I made a decision and to let her know. It really was a no-brainer for me. Someone needed help and I was able to help him, or at least try to. She repeated herself many times telling me to take time to think about it. I stated, “What’s there to think about? I have two kidneys and I only need one, right?” She said yes and then I asked her to have Mr. Nathaniel call and let me know what to do. Mrs. Dorothy went home, across the street, and I sat in the
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neighbor’s garage praying that she knew for sure that I was serious. A few minutes later, Mr. Nathaniel called. He introduced himself, then gave me the contact information at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. I spoke to the contact and she told me to go to a website to complete a health history questionnaire and get special instructions on how to be considered as a living donor for him. All the while I was taking notes on a 2x4 block of wood, writing with a carpenter’s pencil. I walked back into the house and asked if I could use their computer. My friend asked what I was doing walking around with a block of wood, I said it was my note pad. I filled out the questionnaire and went home. I can’t explain how I felt, but I knew I could make this happen. I just felt bad that I did not know about his condition sooner. Mrs. Dorothy tells everyone she has never seen someone so insistent on giving away a kidney. Another acquaintance said I tell the story as a matter
On September 5, 2017, I was on my way to Jacksonville for blood work and on the 25th of September I went down for a week's worth of testing. Mr. Nathaniel and I met in person in the middle of September and when I returned from my testing, I immediately went to the Pearson's home and our bond became stronger from there. I received my congratulations letter on October 18, 2017 and Mr. Nathaniel received his letter on October 21st. He was cautious and still wasn’t allowing himself to get his hopes up. The date I was praying for was the first available and I am happy to say that after five years of dialysis, Mr. Nathaniel Pearson received his new kidney on October 31, 2017. I am so blessed to have them in my life. Words will never express how I truly feel about them. They are my family now. I have a Mom, a Dad, and the most amazing brothers and extended family anyone could ask for. I always wanted an older brother and God blessed me with four. That year, Mr. Pearson was able to celebrate his 75th birthday and I, my 50th. Since meeting them, my life has been blessed in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for each of us.
Tracy relocated from Southeast Michigan to Southeast Georgia in 2013. Aside from a few friends, she had no family in Georgia prior to becoming a part of Mr. Pearson’s family.
[Feature]
of fact, like I’m helping a friend take in the groceries. I honestly don’t see it as doing anything out of the ordinary. I just heard of someone in need and I knew I could help. That 2x4 block of wood now hangs in a shadowbox in Mr. Nathaniel’s office.
DR. HUMPHRIES’
LEGACY
A
rthur L. Humphries jr. M.D. devoted his life to kidney transplantation, once even being referred to as the “grandfather of kidney preservation.” He received his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1952 and, after a residency at Vanderbilt University and service as a Captain in the Medical Corps, began his career as a surgeon at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), now called Augusta University Health, in 1958. While at MCG, Dr. Humphries threw his energies into starting a transplant program at the hospital, which was only the second one in the state of Georgia. In 1963 he was the first person in the world to preserve a kidney for more than 24 hours before transplantation. His determination and dedication to the transplant program, as well as the extreme care he took with all his transplant patients, helped the program thrive. He was known as a demanding surgeon to work with, quick to bark his wishes, but also one who gave as much of himself as he demanded from others. Dr. Humphries would go on to perform more than 500 transplant surgeries before retiring from MCG in 1997. His legacy is prominent at Augusta University Health where they
recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of their transplant program. Since Dr. Humphries performed the first kidney transplant surgery at MCG on August 28, 1968, more than 2,500 transplants have taken place at the center. A life-long lover of science, he enjoyed tinkering with inventions and gathering materials for potential science experiments for his grandchildren. He inherited a passion for fitness from his father; he was competitive at tennis in his early life and golf later on. His love of music extended to playing the violin all through his life. Dr. Humphries passed away in 2018 at the age of 90. Renal transplant patients worldwide owe Dr. Humphries an immense debt of gratitude for his medical advances in kidney preservation, paving the road for further innovations in transplantation. His legacy is undeniable. GA TRANSPLANT
• 15
[Feature]
He returned to my window, peeking his head in the car at the two sleeping kids he asked, “You married?” I replied, “NO” He inquired, “You have a boyfriend?” Sharply I replied, “NO” He grinned and said, “Are you looking for one?” Now irritated I responded boldly, “NO!” With a sheepish look on his face, he asked me for my phone number. I reluctantly gave it to him and two days later we went out on our first date, and a year later I married the man. You are probably wondering what this story has to do with your transplant, but please indulge me a little longer.
MY JOURNEY
LOVE AND TRANSPLANT
by Lorraine Aragon
I
am a woman of faith and as odd as it might seem, our transplant story is a love story, but above all, it is a testimony. Our decision to share our journey is based on that truth in hopes that others might be blessed, encouraged or reassured by how the Lord has been faithful in our lives. I was a single unemployed mother of two when I made the choice to return to college and complete a degree in education at Kennesaw State University. My first course was A Year in Spain and the professor was an expert in Central American Studies. He hosted an annual Mayan festival in Canton where a sizable immigrant population resides. He asked for student volunteers to help with the festival’s set-up and even though my drive was two-hours each way, I was looking forward to it. Not to mention,
16 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
the party was on Valentine’s day and I was single with no other plans. As it got later in the evening, I got my kids ready for the long drive home. To my dismay, the parking lots were packed and I was completely blocked in by all the other cars. After unsuccessfully waiting for people to move their vehicles and honking the horn for 10 minutes, a man standing by his truck walked up and knocked on my car window. I reluctantly rolled the glass down. “You need help?” he asked. "Don’t worry, I am going to be your Mexican Superman!” he said. He walk in front of the car and disappear into the building. Ten minutes later he returned with 20 other men that worked together to systematically lift the bumpers of each car blocking me and shifted them until I had a clear path.
In February 2017, my mother and best friend died, sending me into shock and resulted in a perimenopause. I was losing weight inexplicably and was weak from severe Anemia. It was as if the whole world had continued, but I was stuck. My daughter knew that I loved traveling and she suggested we take a 7-day cruise together to the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas, which I agreed to The cruise was going quite well. We arrived at port in Nassau and disembarked to go sightseeing and shopping. As I walked down the dock, I began feeling extremely weak and dizzy, eventually being unable to walk at all. My daughter scurried for help and the ship crew brought me back to the clinic on-board the ship where they did lab work and told me that I needed a blood transfusion - my hemoglobin level was at 4 (normal level is 11-13)! They said that they couldn't help me and that I would have to leave the ship and go to a Bahamian hospital. I refused to leave the ship and pleaded with the doctor that we would be back in Miami the next day. I then went on to threaten that I wouldn’t leave until the Captain kicked me off! As
[Feature]
the Captain placed me in the ambulance, I wondered what on earth was happening to me! Long story short, I was uncomfortable at hospital where the ambulance brought me. My daughter was able to get me back to Georgia, where I was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Failure (ESRD). My nephrologist looked at me and said, “You must be tough because you should have died!” Kidney failure, I thought, how had this happened? In retrospect, my doctors and I had missed all of the warning signs, but they were all there. Dialysis had never even been a thought for me prior to this. I was unfamiliar with the process and felt extremely overwhelmed. I had a catheter in my neck and watched as my blood cycled through the machine; it was humbling. I felt like I was having an out of body experience. I was a teacher, coached a step team and active. What would my life be like now? After leaving the hospital, I went to the dialysis clinic where my nephrologist stayed past his shift to hold my hand through that first visit. He was one of the many angels sent to me along this journey. I was shaking barely holding back tears, I looked into his eyes and said "I don’t want to be here." He matched me with a special nurse named Glenda whose accent felt familiar right away. I said, “Are you Jamaican?” She replied 'yes' and at that moment I felt a sense of ease come over me, as though my mother had sent her to comfort me. Glenda sat me in the “Lucky Chair” (as those who received successful transplants referred to it) and gave me a magazine that had several testimonies from transplant patients, which encourage me to have hope to return to a more normal life. In the following months, I switched to peritoneal dialysis and went through the transplant evaluation process. I had to have mammograms, cardiovascular tests, gynecological ultrasounds, endless blood work, endocrinology, and
urology exams, before eventually being placed on UNOS transplant waiting list. My husband volunteered to be tested as a living donor and much to our joy was a match; however, the committee initially rejected him because he was ten pounds overweight (which he lost in two weeks!). In the midst of everything going on, I also faced loosing my job after taking FMLA under a less than sympathetic administration, which would mean loosing my health insurance. I cried out to God, “We have been through so much, now with everything in place, I would not be insured for the procedure?” My husband and I agreed in prayer and decided to take a stand together against my employer. After a long and tiring meeting with our attorneys, we were left feeling hopeless and discouraged. As we sat in traffic on Peachtree St, I played a song by Tye Tribbett called “He Turned It,” and we praised God for the provision at our lowest point. At that moment, the phone rang and it was my transplant team letting us know that a surgery date had opened up for the following week if we wanted it. We both yelled, “Yes, we’ll take it!” On February 16, 2018, I received a kidney transplant from my husband - it was exactly 15 years to the day of our first date. Indeed, my husband was true to his word; he is my “Mexican Superman!” Biblical scholars say that there is no word for 'coincidence' in Hebrew and I recognize that to be true. Our prayer is that you be encouraged and know that you are not alone on your transplant journey! GA TRANSPLANT
• 17
RELIEVING ACADEMIC CHALLENGES FOR RENAL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS by Dr. Arlene Rotter
C
hildren who have undergone
renal transplantation often face challenges before, during, and after their recovery, yet very little research has been published in the US to enlighten parents, teachers, students, and medical personnel in ways to alleviate some of the failure syndrome and anxiety accompanying educational issues. A 2003 study identified four general areas of concern that impact children who have undergone a renal transplant: gaps in learning due to frequent and lengthy absenteeism, peer social exclusion, emotional issues including stress and anxiety, and low self-esteem leading to underachievement. For the past several years, Sylvan
18 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
Learning Centers have had the opportunity to work with some kidney transplant students through a partnership with the Georgia Transplant Foundation. An analysis of the academic gains for these students after a period of tutoring confirms the findings of the aforementioned 2003 study: There is significant improvement in the academic achievement, learning motivation, parental concerns, and school communication for children receiving assistance. For those students who attended Sylvan Learning after school and summer programs for a period of at least one school year, the academic gains ranged from one grade level
improvement to three or more years. Academic gains and skills gaps decreases were significant among the children served in supplemental tutorials. Sylvan procedures include an Initial Diagnostic Assessment that identifies the academic grade level in which the student operates in math and reading that are shared with the parents and with GTF. In most cases, these students performed at least one year behind in both subject areas. Significant learning gaps prevented the majority of these students from successfully performing at grade level in school. Like most students in the general population facing the same issues
deficiencies, the renal transplant children described themselves as poor students who couldn’t do well in school. Some had simply given up the attempt to improve and get caught up with their peers academically and were often labeled “underachievers.”
the Sylvan staff that they were appreciative of the assistance they received in helping these transplant patients succeed in school. They no longer felt that they were carrying the full burden of helping the students while managing an entire classroom of learners.
Sylvan also communicates with classroom teachers working with these students in order to set up a four-way means of communication among parents, teachers, Sylvan, and GTF. Teachers have reported similar frustration to that of the students. These children are academically behind their classmates and prior skills left un-mastered make it virtually impossible to catch these students up to grade level, because the teacher continuously moves on to new skills expanding the failure syndrome of these students. The classroom teachers also noted that they had little time to work with these students on an individual basis, due to the demands of a very rigorous curriculum.
Perhaps the greatest result was that the tutored students began to believe they could do the work. There was a direct correlation between their heightened self-esteem and academic confidence. These children often begin tutoring with a skills gap of more than one year in each subject area. The ultimate result was increased grade point averages and decreased skills gaps. The children readily engaged in school activities as reported to Sylvan by parents and teachers. The liaison among home, school, Sylvan, and GTF proved to lead to a significant success rate.
Parents of Sylvan students meet with the program’s directors at least monthly. A significant number of conferences reported similar concerns: fear that their children would never get caught up in their studies, high anxiety regarding the limited resources they felt existed to help their children, and frustration over the ability of the schools to offer enough support services to remedy these issues.
"There was a direct correlation between their heightened selfesteem and academic confidence”
After every 24 hours of instruction, Sylvan gives students progress assessments to determine growth in subject areas. The success rate of the renal patients attending Sylvan demonstrated significant improvement in eliminating skills gaps and in catching up to grade level in the critical academic areas of reading and math. After approximately fortyeight hours of instruction in one subject area, the kidney transplant patients showed an average growth of one and a half grade levels from where the children performed on their Initial Diagnostic Assessments. Tutoring had a direct correlation on improving academic achievement. Meetings with parents on a monthly basis alleviated some of their frustration and anxiety over the academic issues facing their children. Teachers communicated to
Throughout the past several years of helping the transplant students through funds for tutoring received from GTF, Sylvan Learning has developed a plan for success in conjunction with the GTF staff. The students do best when receiving two hours of Sylvan instruction a week. This alleviates the parents having to coordinate too many trips to Sylvan, doctor’s appointments, and school activities. Two hours a week enables the child to retain the skills learned over a long period of time. In addition, fifty-two weeks of tutoring enables the skills learned and best study practices to become habits for these children. This success transitions easily from Sylvan to school. Sylvan success stories with kidney transplant patients are illustrated by two cases, a sixth grader and a fifth grader. The sixth grader took an Initial Diagnostic Assessment in both reading and math. The parents chose to focus on the reading core skills first, since they affect both reading and math. The student’s initial diagnostic reading assessment placed her at a grade level equivalent of fifth grade and three months, over one year behind. At the end of the tutorial hours, she took a post assessment and had gained 1.5 years in reading: a grade equivalent of sixth grade and eight months. She was virtually at grade level and ready for seventh grade at the end of the program. Her self-confidence and self-esteem rose along with her improved academic functioning. GA TRANSPLANT • 19
[feature]
Continued from page 19 A fifth grade girl also took an Initial Diagnostic Assessment in math and reading. This child was significantly behind in both subject areas, and it was therefore decided to focus on both math and reading. Her initial diagnostic assessment in math placed her grade level equivalent at second grade and nine months, over two years behind. Her initial test in reading placed her at a grade level equivalent of third grade and two months, also over two years behind. At the completion of her Sylvan program, she showed significant gains in both subject areas. Her math grade level equivalent improved one year and three months to fourth grade and two months. Her read-score improved one year and five months to an equivalent of fourth grade and seven months. Her classroom teachers were delighted with the advancements and the parents reported that there was much less struggle with homework. The student gained skills in how to approach words and math problems that gave her difficulty. Her success as an independent learner improved significantly and she was able to matriculate to middle school with much less stress and academic needs. There is a great need to be able to provide more tutorial services to a greater number of transplanted children. What has been accomplished thus far among these professional groups demonstrates the positive impact these services have on children and parents. The application process is simple: children are identified
WALGREENS ADVERTISEMENT Committed to
making a difference We congratulate Georgia Transplant Foundation for their passionate commitment to helping organ transplant candidates, living donors and recipients. Community, A Walgreens Pharmacy 1874 Piedmont Rd., Ste. A, Atlanta, GA 30324 404-733-6800
©2018 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved.
as needing academic help, their transplant social worker requests funds from GTF through their Tutoring Assistance Program, the children’s parents contact Sylvan Learning, and the Initial Diagnostic Assessment is scheduled. The results are shared with parents and a full report with an estimated number of tutorial hours needed is submitted to
GTF. Once the request for tutoring is approved, the students are on their way to academic achievement and high self-esteem. For more information on tutoring, please contact Sylvan Learning directly at (888) 789-7888.
TUTORING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
C
hildren who have received an organ transplant miss many school days due to illness, transplantation, follow-up procedures and clinic visits. GTF offers assistance with educational needs through a tutoring program available to transplanted children under the age of 18 who are still enrolled in elementary, middle or high school. Applications are made through the transplant center social work staff and must indicate use of other school resources as well.
20 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
[newsyoucanuse]
SELF-CARE TIPS FOR
CAREGIVERS
EAT HEALTHY MEALS OFTEN
1
STAY HYDRATED
2
SLEEP & REST REGULARLY
3
Being a caregiver is hard work and can take a toll on your mind and body. Keep yourself healthy by replenishing your strength with nutritious meals that include lots of fruits and vegetables.
It’s important to make a real effort to drink water each day. Hydration helps keep the mind clear and water is always the best beverage option!
Sleep is critical for keeping you in good health. Making sure that you are resting as much as possible and getting sleep will give your body a break from stress.
MAKE TIME TO EXERCISE
ASK AND ACCEPT HELP
TAKE A BREAK
4
Exercising is a great way to relieve stress. Any physical activity you can do to get your heart pumping - going up and down the stairs, taking a walk outside - will do a world of good. www.loveliveson.com
5
People are often eager to help but don’t know how. Let family and friends know what they can do to help you during tough times. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help from a counsellor if you feel you need it.
6
It’s important to take care of YOU and to make time for yourself to regroup. This can drastically help your stress level, giving you the renewed energy you need to keep going. GA TRANSPLANT • 21
[happenings]
UPCOMING HAPPENINGS
OCT 13
AUG 10 DAWGS FOR KIDS
SEPT 13 LIVERVERSARY CELEBRATION
Bring in the new football season during a fun and interactive night at The Stave Room at ASW. You will enjoy good food and drinks, bid on live and silent auction items, and mingle with the UGA athletes throughout the night. Individual tickets are $100 and sponsorship packages start at $500.
Celebrate the anniversary of Chef Henry's liver transplant during the annual Liverversary Celebration at YANAMAR America EVO//Center in Acworth. It's a fun evening of musical entertainment, drinks, food, live and silent auctions, and dancing the night away.
www.ugakickoff.com
www.gatransplant.org/liverversary
TRENDS in TRANSPLANT
TNT
CONFERENCE
ROME JULY 20 AUGUSTA AUGUST 17 ATLANTA OCTOBER 12 Join us as we bring together transplant physicians and healthcare experts to inform organ transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, and their families of new information in the field and for an opportunity to network with others in the transplant community. Gatransplant.org/rome-tnt Gatransplant.org/augusta-tnt Gatransplant.org/atlanta-tnt
FUNDRAISING WORKSHOPS 7/10/19 • 8/6/19 • 9/11/19 10/8/19 • 11/6/19 • 12/3/19 A monthly seminar hosted at the GTF office in Roswell to help transplant candidates and recipients create and organize a successful fundraising campaign. To register, call (678) 514-1170 or email TFP@gatransplant.org.
ANGELS OF LIFE Join us for the 9th annual Angels of Life Hair and Fashion Show. This Community Partner Group event will feature guest speakers, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, dancing, music, and the "Angels of Life" inspiring hair and fashion show designed by Three-13's artistic team! The event takes place at the Cobb Galleria. (See ad on page 2)
www.three-13.com/angels
JUMPSTART WORKSHOP OCT 3 An informative and interactive workshop for transplant recipients to gain hands-on computer training and instruction on "How to Find Jobs Online." You will walk away with the preparation and connections needed to have a successful job search. Registration is required; limited space available. JumpStart@gatransplant.org or call (678) 514-1174 to register.
[CelebrateLife] save the date MARCH 14 www.gatransplant.org/celebratelife
22 • IMPRINT MAGAZINE
[Feature]
LASTING IMPRINT
FISCAL YEAR:
JANUARY 1, 2018 DECEMBER 31, 2018
A DONOR REPORT
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS FINANCIAL STATEMENT
OUR DONORS
GA TRANSPLANT
• 23
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ENRICHING LIVES
PRESIDENT David Markham, MD
OUR MISSION
PAST PRESIDENT Bill Backus SECRETARY Albert Bolet, III TREASURER Brian Calkins AT-LARGE Bray Deavours Joshua Wolf, MD Jennie Perryman, PhD Janet Barnett Scott Blackard Lester Crowell, Jr. Constance Daly Michael Gallichio, MD Kathy Govier Linda Heiden Michael Horowitz, MD Melvin Morris David Perme Rene Romero, MD Warren Shiver Martha Stipsits Laura Williams Elijah Wise Steven Wright, PhD Carlos Zayas, MD COUNCIL Ben Barkley HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Christian Larsen, MD Tom Glavine Marsha Brenner-Crews John Whelchel, MD Edward Frederickson, MD Matt Stinchcomb Bobby Howard David Lowance, MD
24 • LASTING IMPRINT
The mission of the Georgia Transplant Foundation (GTF) is to bridge the gap between hope and opportunity by educating and enriching the lives of those affected by organ transplant.
A LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO WELLNESS Getting the diagnosis of organ failure— heart, kidney, liver, lung, or pancreas— is challenging enough. But having to manage the financial responsibilities and day-to-day complexities that come along with receiving an organ transplant can be overwhelming. The uncertainty and stress are unlike anything most of us will ever face in our lifetimes. The true story of transplantation is one of lifelong vigilance, daily medication, and dependable systems of emotional and financial support. Maintaining an organ transplant is a lifelong commitment to wellness. As one social worker states, "It's moving from chronic illness to chronic wellness." GTF has evolved beyond its roots to become a full-service organization annually serving more than 2,000 transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, and family members in the state of Georgia. As more people receive organ transplants — an increase which coincides with medical advances — more people need our help. As the only organization providing critical, non-medical assistance in the state of Georgia, GTF relies on the financial support of benefactors who want to help transplant patients and their families focus on healing, health and positive outcomes. Each dollar contributed to GTF directly supports client services, including: • • • • •
Information Social services Short-term financial assistance Healthcare education conferences Financial planning
• • • •
Help with fundraising Career resources and training Navigating through insurance issues Emotional support
BRIDGING THE GAP TO WELLNESS GTF: BRIDGING THE FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND INFORMATIONAL GAPS The diagnosis of an acute life-threatening illness requiring transplantation is often an unexpected blow to a family's financial stability. Most Georgians live to the full capacity of their income. A medical crisis, especially one that threatens the primary wage earner's ability to earn, can do untold damage to a family's budget. • • • •
•
Post-transplant medication costs are often in the range of $25,000 to $30,000 per year and are a lifelong requirement for continued wellness. Health insurance coverage must be paid out of pocket since the candidate is often unable to work. COBRA health insurance coverage is costly, and most candidates will not be eligible for Medicare coverage for up to 29 months. Many recipients, waiting candidates, and family members require temporary housing in their transplant center area. They often cannot afford these housing costs in addition to the routine expenses for the permanent residence. Some living donors face loss of wages during a leave of absence for donor surgery; at the same time, they may incur travel expenses and continuing childcare costs.
Regardless of social status, financial well-being, or family support, every Georgia transplant candidate or recipient can benefit from one or more of the programs and services of the Georgia Transplant Foundation.
GA TRANSPLANT • 25
2018
BY THE NUMBERS
$1.7 MILLION DISTRIBUTED IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
$521,821
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
$263,356
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
2,000
+
$461,693
MEDICATION ASSISTANCE
$180,592
$26,363
983
301 LIVER Recipients
Transplants in the State of GA
50 HEART Recipients
$188,982
LIVING DONOR DENTAL PRE-TRANSPLANT INSURANCE ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE
Pediatric and adult organ transplant patients received vital support and services through the Georgia Transplant Foundation
90 PEDIATRIC Recipients
$128,517
JUMPSTART PROGRAM
127 Intakes 74 Training
Placements
590 KIDNEY Recipients 9 LUNG Recipients 217 LIVING Donors
SUPPORT PROGRAMS
TRANSPLANT FUNDRAISING
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
119 recently diagnosed patients received MENTORING
3584 total enrollment
15 newly trained mentors
150 MATCHED accounts
11 students completed their first year of college thanks in part to a scholarship from GTF
THE MENTOR PROJECT 350 active MENTORS
2450 ACTIVE clients 10 UNMATCHED accounts
$34,000 in SCHOLARSHIPS
TNT CONFERENCES
WORKSHOPS
7 TRENDS IN TRANSPLANT 3 JUMPSTART PROGRAM conferences across the state Resume & Computer Literacy Workshops 669 attendees 17 TFP Fundraising & 53 SOCIAL WORKERS Technology Workshops attended for CEU’s
AM eracy
& ps
FINANCIALS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018 ASSETS
HOW WE SPEND EACH DOLLAR 6.1%
9.6%
Current and other assets $2,790,892 Investments $6,592,949 Property and equipment $547,882
TOTAL $10,023,741
84.3%
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Current and long-term liabilities $126,929 Net assets $9,896,812
TOTAL $10,023,741
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 REVENUES AND GAINS
Events and contributions $649,513 Other income $23,680 Carlos & Marguerite Mason Trust $2,300,000
Patient Programs and Services Fundraising Expenses Management Expenses
REVENUE SOURCES: $2,973,193 IN 2018 (Excludes Investments) 0.8% 10.3% 11.5%
TOTAL $2,973,193
77.4%
EXPENSES
Program services $3,117,391 Management and general $224,580 Fundraising $355,434 TOTAL $3,697,405
Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust Fundraising Events Contributions Administration Fees
CHARITY NAVIGATOR
Charity Navigator is America’s premier independent charity evaluator. They help charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing in-depth, objective ratings and analysis of the financial health and accountability and transparency of America’s largest charities. Charity Navigator awarded Georgia Transplant Foundation four out of four stars. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that Georgia Transplant Foundation adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. GA TRANSPLANT • 27
THANK YOU TO OUR INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS
On behalf of the transplant patients and families that GTF supports, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the following individual donors for their generous contribution to our mission during the 2018 fiscal year. $10,000+
Mrs. Emma Deavours Ms. Linda G. Patrick Mr. and Mrs. Warren Shiver $2,500-$6,000
Mr. Paul Blackney Mr. and Mrs. Ed Daly Mr. Brent W. Dorminy Dr. Michael Gallichio Mr. Mark Hawn Dr. Michael D. Horowitz Dr. Chad Mao and Dr. Preeti Reshamwala Dr. David Markham Mr. Gene W. Miler Jr. Mr. David Louis Perme Dr. Jennie Perryman and Mr. Dan Pile Mrs. Carolyn Riticher Ms. Joyce M. Sterling Dr. and Mrs. John D. Whelchel Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Zayas $1,000-$2,499
Mr. and Mrs. William Backus Dr. Devina Bhasin Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bolet III Ms. Rose Couey Dr. Rosemary Cross Mr. Lance Cunha Ms. Jean David Dr. Eric M. Gibney Dr. Erica Hartmann Mr. Edward G. Hoy
28 • LASTING IMPRINT
Dr. Jonathan Hundley Dr. and Mrs. Donald Jansen Dr. Marwan Kazimi Dr. Christina and Dr. Andrew Klein Dr. Christian P. Larsen Ms. Hamish Leslie-Melville Dr. Jose F. Lizcano Ms. Susan Lumpkin Mr. and Ms. Steven H. Lyons Dr. Emanuel Minja Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Morris Mr. and Mrs. Whitney Carter O’Keeffe Mr. Richard Persaud Dr. Harrison Pollinger Mr. and Mrs. Neal Pope Dr. Rene Romero Mrs. Estelle Stinchcomb Mr. Charles Sutton Dr. Miguel Tan Mr. Eric Tresh Dr. and Mrs. David J. Vega Mr. Victor M. Velazquez Mr. and Mrs. Henry N. Wainright Jr. Mr. Elijah Wise Dr. and Mrs. Joshua Wolf Dr. and Mrs. Steven Wright Mr. and Mrs. Taka Yamada $500-$999
Mrs. Sherrie Addington Dr. Raul Badell Ms. Donna W. Bailey Mrs. Mary A. Benefield Mr. and Mrs. Randy Berrey Mr. Joe Bertolini Mr. and Mrs. Scott Blackard Mr. Dexter Conner Mr. and Mrs. Richard Crock Mr. and Mrs. William Curry Mr. Andy Duncan
Mr. Ross Fuller Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Gann Mr. and Mrs. David and Linda Heiden Mr. William Kitchens Mr. and Mrs. Randall Levin Mrs. Lynn Lowance Mr. Barry Mansell Mr. Elliott Miller Ms. Kamy Molavi Dr. David O’Brien Mr. Jason Pace Mr. and Mrs. Richard Palm Mrs. Ann Pekarek Mrs. Nicole Psareas Dr. Sheela Reddy Mrs. Carol Saul Mr. Frasier M. Smith Mr. Joseph B. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Lisa Smith Dr. Sudha Tata Ms. LaSona Turk Mr. Markku Willgren Mr. Kirk Wimberly Mr. Tom Winingder Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Wood Mr. Christopher York Dr. Fiona Zwald $250-$499
Ms. Gregory Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Baker Mrs. Janet Barnett Ms. Elizabeth Chesnut Mrs. Eileen Connor Mr. David Durovy Mr. John M. Dyer Mr. Bob Godard Mr. William D. Grant Dr. Laurence Greenbaum Ms. Amy Hauser Mr. Andrew Heller Mr. William Houston Ms. Cindy Mathis Mr. Siobhan O’Connor Mr. Ronald D. Offutt Mr. Leo Oskey
Mr. Stephen Poston Ms. Rachelle Savoia Mr. Ram Subramanian Ms. Britt Thompson Dr. Barry Warshaw Mrs. Laura Williams Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Wisebram $100-$249
Mr. and Mrs. Allen D. Altman Ms. Judith H. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Bahney Ms. Courtney Bartels Ms. Cindy Bates-Loveland Mr. Joeseph Bedsole Ms. Marcia Belyeu Mr. CJ Bishop Mr. Bruce Bowers Ms. Shirlety Boyer-Beatty Mr. Walter Bryan Mr. Gay Bryant Ms. Lula Buckner Mr. W J. C Mr. Alan Calhoun Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Melanie Calkins Ms. Martha Calle Mr. Brian Chaney Mr. and Mrs. Larry Christopher Mr. Brandon Christy Mr. Robert A. Clesi Ms. Debra Coleman Mr. Robert Coleman Ms. Jan W. Collins Ms. Lynda Cook Mrs. Linda Couch Ms. Shannon Crowe Mr. Corby Damico Ms. Kay D. Dauterman Mr. Frederick Dean Mr. David Dings Mr. Brian Earp Ms. Nancy Fryman Mr. Jay Fulmer Mr. Edgar Gable Ms. Wendy Gattis
Mr. John Giles Mrs. Eileen J. Gorton Ms. Kathy Govier Mr. Michael Hake Mr. Joshua Hamburg Mr. Walt Hamilton Mr. Douglas Helms Ms. Deborah Hempling Ms. Indra Hendricks Dr. Eda L. Hochgelerent and Dr. Bruce Cassidy Ms. Anna Hook Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Howard Mr. Frank Hutcheson Ms. Laura Jacobson Ms. Donna Johnson Mr. Glenn Johnson Mr. Jesse A. Kicklighter Mr. David Langbart Ms. Kristin Ley Ms. Dorothy Martin Ms. Rhonda J. Martin Mr. Robert Martin Mr. David McEachern Mr. Spencer McGraw Mr. Rusty McIntosh Mr. Andrew McKinnon Mr. and Mrs. Clark Michaels Ms. Brenda Milberger Ms. Cathy Morgan Ms. Donna Moses Mrs. Anne Murphy Mr. PCU Newby Mr. Thong Xuan Nguyen Ms. Mary Nunnally Mr. J. Brial O’Neil Ms. Donna Oliver Ms. Marka Palmer Ms. Sheila Parocai Mr. Kenneth B. Pisell Ms. Linda Reynolds Ms. Teruko Richardson
Ms. Mary Jo Riles Mr. Art Riley Mr. Dale Rollins Mrs. Patricia Rotchford Mr. Jack Schilt Ms. Violet Shadrix Ms. Sandra Shepard Ms. R. Terry Smith Ms. Susan Sockwell Ms. Ruth Sullivan Mr. Richard Taylor Mr. Greg Tetreault Mr. Mark Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Steven Tilley Ms. Ann Tippins Ms. Lindsey Tippins Ms. Ellen Ulken Ms. Kristen Ulven Mr. James Vann Mr. Jim Wadlington Ms. Angie Wallace Mr. Jean Wheeler Mr. and Mrs. Chris Whitmire Mr. Charles Wigington Ms. Vera Williams Ms. Joyce Wilson Ms. Carol Wolf Mr. Harry Wuest Mr. Jerome Zivan $1-$99
Ms. Aria Aaron Ms. Debbie Adler Ms. Delores Anderson Mr. Michael Anderson Mr. Junior Anthony Mr. Jon Bartel Ms. Susan Beckett Mr. Neal Berg Ms. Alyssa Berganini Mr. Ricky Blackshear Ms. Takeila Booze Ms. Sandra Boswell Mr. Louis Boyd Ms. Laura Brock Mr. Deron Buice Mr. James Cassedy Mr. Dale Cavaness Mr. Reese Chandler Mr. Harold Coggins Ms. Kim Copeland Ms. Cindy Cronin
Ms. Darlene Cuba Ms. Marla Curley Mr. Charlie Darden Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Drew Ms. Molly Dugan Ms. Suzanne Durbin Ms. Aurora Fine Ms. Alexandra Fisher Mr. Justin Folds Ms. Karen Forrister Ms. Kate Foster Mr. Donald Gadbois Mr. Mark Garner Mr. Jimmy Gassett Ms. Sara Gattis Mr. Mac Gay Mrs. Debra Gordon Mr. Andrew Gruca Ms. Alexis Hambrick Ms. Linda Hardy Mr. William Harrell Mr. Craig Harsh Mr. Carl Hirt Mr. Kevin Howard Ms. Monique Howard Ms. Jane Howe Ms. Kathie Howell Ms. Hope Hulsey Mr. Larry Hutcheson Mr. Jonathan Jackson Ms. Sheridan Jackson Mr. Thomas James Mr. Fred Johnson Ms. Sonya Johnson Ms. Jeanette Jones Ms. Michelle Jones Ms. Julie McCorkle Ms. Linda Kabo Ms. Allison Key Ms. Linda Kinsey Mr. Sunil Kumre Ms. Nancy Larson Mr. James Leupold Ms. Tamara Lewis Mr. Rocky Lipham Dr. Sengphet Lou Ms. Janice Lyons Ms. Colette Malone Mr. John Mann Ms. Sharon Martinek Mr. Noah Mason Mr. Michael J. McClendon Ms. Julie McCorkle Ms. Nancy McCoy
Mr. Ned McGill Ms. Aprili Miller Mr. Michael Montemayor Ms. Marsha Moore Ms. Rosa Moore Mrs. Rebekah Moshiri Ms. Sue Murphy Mr. Jerome Neal Ms. Britney Nobles Ms. Betelena Owens Mr. Todd Parker Dr. Reena Patel Mrs. LaTonia Patterson Ms. Terri Pesso Mr. Carter Roper Ms. Sandy Sanders Ms. Mary Schaaf Ms. Staci Serluco Mr. Kazeem Sodiq Ms. Sarah H. Stallings Ms. Belinda Stansbery Mrs. Martha Stipsits Ms. Caye Teegarden Mr. Adrian Thompson Mr. LaDonna Timms Ms. Cathy Tolbert Mr. Windham Vance Ms. Lynda Vaughn Ms. Lynn Wallace Mr. Martin Walthall Mr. Joseph Washington Ms. Jane Weathers Ms. Leigh Welch Mr. Jay Wells Ms. Martha Wellsandt Mr. Richard S. Whatley Ms. Britt C. Wilson Ms. Hilda Wilson Mr. John Wurst Mr. Stan Zieg Ms. Becky Zogry GTF recognizes that some contributors do not wish to have their names published and/or wish to be recognized in a particular way and we do our best to adhere to those wishes. We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this listing. If you find an error, please accept our apology and alert us by reaching Rita Michaels at RMichaels@gatransplant.org or (678) 514-1180.
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THANK YOU CORPORATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS & FOUNDATIONS Georgia Transplant Foundation would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the following corporations, organizations, and Foundations for their generous contribution to our mission and vision. $2,300,000
Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust $100,000
Robert W. Woodruff Foundation $25,000-$35,000
Covenant Foundation The Dial Family Foundation Piedmont Healthcare Shane’s Rib Shack $10,000-$15,000
Atlanta Foundation Ida Alice Ryan Charitable Trust LifeLink of Georgia Stinchcomb Family Foundation Swing Easy Hit Hard Foundation Walton Electric Trust, Inc.
$5,000-$9,999
Cobb County Friendship Club Coweta-Fayette Trust Greystone Power Foundation, Inc. Have a Heart Benefit Joe E. Johnston Foundation John and Mary Franklin Foundation Mattie H. Marshall Foundation
30 • LASTING IMPRINT
Network for Good Plaza Restaurant Partners The Barham-Calhoun Memorial Fund The UPS Foundation $3,000-$4,999
Alliance Bernstein Augusta University Health Black Lockett Scarbrough Patient Fund Digirad Imaging Solutions, Inc Eubio Medical Communications, LLC Holder Construction Company Shaw Industries Group, Inc. The Benevity Community Impact Fund Walgreens Willis Towers Watson York Rite Masonic Bodies of Georgia PHA $1,000-$2,999
ABRH, LLC Ashton Gardens Senior Living, Inc. BB&T Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia Corporate GameDay Encompass Rx Frank Family Foundation Gather Technologies, Inc Genuine Parts Company Georgia Chapter ITNS Habersham EMC Foundation, Inc Homebridge Financial Services Hudson Family Foundation Joyce and Ramie Tritt Family Foundation
Lake City Animal Hospital Means Atlanta Properties Modern Hops, LLC Pranan Foundation, Inc. Redd Arts Company, Inc. ServIT Smith & Howard, P.C. Sports Trust Advisors SteelMart Inc SunTrust United Way Campaign TACIDA, LLC The Shauna and Jim Muhl Giving Fund Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique Total System Services, Inc Wood’s Tree Service $1-$999
A.B. Parsons America’s Charities AT&T United Way Employee Giving Campaign Atlanta Business Circulators Bethlehem United Methodist Church Blinds & Designs, LTD Blue Sky Exhibits, LLC Butter and Cream, LLC Carrollton High School Class of 1966 Chick-fil-A at Rockmart FSU Chicken Coup, LLC Club of Hearts; Georgia Power Colbert Baptist Church Coldwell Banker Holtzman Realtors Commercial Roof Solutions, LLC Department of Treasury, State of Tennessee Divine Love Church Donation Line, LLC Eco Tech Services, LLC Financial Aid Services, Inc.
Give With Liberty, Liberty Mutual Foundation Match Grace Lake Homeowners Association Gravity Payments Hemophilia of Georgia, Inc. Heritage Foods Service IBM Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign Knight, Werthman, & Galligan, LLC KPK Commercial Le May Electric, Inc. Lefkoff, Rubin, Gleason & Russo Little Red School House Commercial Properties, LLC MFPA Inc Odyssey Capital Transportation Solutions, LLC PMAC8, Inc. Repro Products, Inc. RNF Wholesale Printing Root Laboratory Stevens Grove Baptist Church Travelers Cyber Grants, Inc. Truist Turks & Tuggles United Way of Acadiana, Inc United Way of Greater Atlanta US Foods Variant Brewing Company VOYA Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign YANMAR America Corporation
THANK YOU TO OUR IN-KIND SUPPORTERS
We are grateful to the following who provided goods and services resulting in significant savings that we could use for our programs and services instead. 680 The Fan Alliance Theatre Atlanta Botanical Garden Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Atlanta History Center Atlanta Shakespeare Co. Atlanta United Barking Hound Village Blabla kids Brasstown Valley Resort Brooks Coleman Café Intermezzo Center for Puppetry Arts Charles Kowal Chuck Milne Productions College Football Hall of Fame
Corkscrews & Canvas Crowne Plaza Atlanta Dad’s Garage Theatre Delta Air Line E&J Gallo Winery FormWell Gray Saunders Photography Henry’s Louisiana Grill High Museum of Art InterContinental Buckhead Le Meridien Marshall Hunt Masterpiece Framer Medieval Times Mike Sortor Photography Morgan Stanley
THANK YOU COMMUNITY PARTNERS
We are thankful for our hard-working hosts and Community Partner Groups who together raised nearly $170,000 in 2018 for Georgia’s transplant community. Angels of Life Hair and Fashion Show $85,000 raised; Hosted by Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique
Day of the Juice $3,475.89 raised; Hosted by Eric Levin, Phillip Barnes and Modern Hops
Liverversary Celebration $39,429 raised; Hosted by Chef Henry and Claudia Chandler, Henry’s Louisiana Grill
Umi/Gunshow Dinner $7,580 raised; Hosted by Chef Kevin Gillespie and Plaza Restaurant Partners
Swing Easy, Hit Hard $10,950 raised; Hosted by Kirk Franz and the Franz family Mallory’s Walk $3,995.41 raised; Hosted by Lisa and Mike Smith Shane’s Drink Month $24,500 raised; Hosted by 41 localarea Shane’s Rib Shack restaurants
Del Frisco’s Dinner $1,545 raised; Hosted by Del Frisco’s Gift of Life Showcase $1,000 raised; Hosted by Redd Arts Company, Inc. North Georgia State Fairs $1,000 raised; Hosted by Victor Velazquez
Shane’s Rib Shack Southwest Airlines Summits Wayside Tavern The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Theatrical Outfit Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique Tom Clark Turner Classic Movies United Distributors, Inc. Van Michael Salon Verizon Amphitheater Williamson Bros Bar-B-Q World of Coca-Cola
VOLUNTEERS Thank you to all of our volunteers who give their time and talents to help us in many different ways, including GTF Mentors and Board of Directors. The following volunteers gave 10 hours or more of service in 2018. Mr. Rob Ballard Mr. and Mrs. Brian Calkins Mr. Thomas Clark Mrs. Linda Couch Mrs. Connie Daly Mr. Kirk Franz Mr. Calvin Henry Mr. Joe Isaksen Mrs. Alice Lyons Mr. Dale McArthur Mrs. Marianne Napoletan Mrs. Ann Sechrist Mrs. Lisa Smith Mr. Michael Sortor Mr. and Mrs. Joe Stott Mrs. Lisa Washington
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2201 Macy Dr, Roswell, GA 30076 (770) 457-3796 www.gatransplant.org
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