Mount Evelyn
Tuesday, 11 February, 2014
9
Citizen Soldiers remembered
A Mail Newspaper Group publication
22-23
Phone: 9751 9300 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
n Potential donors urged to share life-saving discussions with family
Greatest gift By REBECCA BILLS MOUNT Evelyn man Norm Lewis says he was ‘knocking on death’s door’ before receiving a life-changing phone call two years ago. Before the phone call, Mr Lewis was battling deteriorating health due to a rare liver condition normally only found in infants. After months of hospital visits and treatments he was placed on the liver transplant waiting list and two years after the surgery Mr Lewis held his new grandson for the first time. “I had my transplant two years ago and at the time I was really knocking on death’s door,� he said. “Before the transplant I never liked to look too far into the future - I didn’t know what was around the corner. “To come through it and have my very first grandchild is really great - he is absolutely gorgeous.� Diagnosed with the rare condition in 2009, Mr Lewis said he got ill fairly quickly whereas other people with various liver diseases have issues over a number of years. “I endured a number of procedures and regular hospital stays, including nine acitic taps, where fluid is drained from the stomach cavity,� he said. Mr Lewis said he will forever be grateful that his donor’s family had discussed their wishes and he is now able to enjoy time with his new grandson. “I continued to enjoy life following an amazing gift from a stranger and I regularly share my story with people to promote organ tissue donation,� he said. “I will never get to thank my donor or their family in person but I always think about them and their incredible gift that will allow me to meet and spend time with my first grandchild.� Eastern Health donations specialists Erin East and Dr Joseph Vetro are urging other families to talk about organ and tissue donations and will be available at Kilsyth Basketball Stadium on 1 March between 10am and 1pm. “Less than one per cent of hospital
Norm Lewis holding his first grandchild Bailey after his life-saving surgery. 114467 deaths occur in the specific circumstances where organ donation is possible, although many more people can become tissue donors,� Dr Vetro said. “To optimise every potential organ and tissue donor, we all need to have the chat with our family members so that we know each other’s donation decision.�
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Kilsyth Basketball’s general manager Mark Griffiths said the club was thrilled to be involved in such an important campaign that means so much to the club. “We urge all Australians to discover that facts about organ and tissue donation, register your donation decision on the Australia Organ Donor Register, but most importantly, share your decision
Picture: CONTRIBUTED
with those closest to you,� he said. For more information on the DonateLife Campaign, visit www.donatelife.gove.au or contact Eastern Health’s donation specialist Erin East on 9095 2491 or Kilsyth Basketball Business Development Manager Katie Cage on 9728 1033.
Market Dates February 13th March 13th
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A NAKED man demanding cash and keys as he forced his way into Mount Evelyn homes is expected to be arrested in coming days. The man, who is still being treated in hospital, is expected to face numerous charges. Police were called to a number of properties in McKillop Road and Hunter Road on Tuesday not long after 10.30pm. Residents reported that a man, wearing no clothing, had forced his way into their homes and demanded cash and car keys. When the man became aware of police in the area, it is believed he hid in the backyard of one of the houses. “The guy was completely naked, and had run down to the back fence of the property,� Leading Senior Constable Glenn Barkaway said. “We were able to get him to come to us, but needed to subdue him with OC spray (capsicum spray). Sen Const Barkaway said police needed to tackle the man to the ground before they could arrest him. “He was covered in mud, and had been bleeding from cutting himself on the barbed wire fence. We believe he was under the influence of some form of substance.� It is also believed the same man made a bomb threat to the Lilydale Police Station from a phone he had stolen from one of the homes in Hunter Road. He was interviewed by police on Wednesday, but investigations are still continuing. – Melissa Meehan
Season commences Thur 10 October and runs every 2nd Thursday until March 2014, 4pm till dark. For more info and stallholder enquiries email market@mountevelyn.net.au
Clancy Road Mt Evelyn 3796 Cash paid for copper, brass, aluminium, etc . . . Cash paid for steel
1118553-CB6-14
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1059489-EP03-13
1119296-LN07-14
Naked home invader
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Ph: 9736 3412 Mob: 0407 071 644 Email: gretchen.paul@iinet.net.au
Sports of all sorts
Tel: 9736 2853
www.evelynrecycling.com.au
425093-JL45-10
7
Rockin’ Rock Berry Jam