Winter Newsletter 2022 - The Living Bank

2022 WIN TER CON NECT IONS

Dear Friends

Four out of five people on the organ transplant list are waiting for a kidney. They’ll wait. And wait. And struggle with serious health problems. Unless living donors come forward to meet the need.

Our role at The Living Bank becomes more important every day, because we help donors understand both the challenges and the benefits. To be a living donor is a life-saving decision. It’s a life altering decision, too.

Every donor deserves independent, accurate information. That’s what we provide.

Reading this newsletter and sharing our stories is an important way you can help educate more people about the critical importance of living organ donation.

Thank you for your support.

Kelly Perdue President and CEO

OUR MISSION

Is to eliminate the shortage of organs for lifesaving transplants by being a trusted education resource for living organ donation and the leading provider of advocacy services for living donors.

OUR VISION

Is for living organ donation to be widely known, understood, and available to those needing a lifesaving transplant; and for living donors to receive the independent advocacy and support they need before, during, and after transplantation.

The Living Bank advances its mission with the following programs and services:

LIVING ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS

Our community awareness program provides education on living organ donation and empowers communities to make informed health decisions. The program is provided to inform, inspire, and invoke our communities to start the living donation conversation. Additionally, we support our local and national communities through multiple communication channels, including online, print, social media, and in-person presentations in community and corporate venues throughout the region.

INDEPENDENT LIVING DONOR ADVOCACY

The Living Bank’s licensed clinical transplant social workers serve as Independent Living Donor Advocates (ILDAs) to live donor transplant programs in the Texas Medical Center and throughout the Nation. ILDAs serve to protect and promote the best interests of living organ donors, ensuring their decision to donate is informed and free from coercion.

INDEPENDENT LIVING DONOR ADVOCATE NETWORK™ (ILDAN™) WEBINAR SERIES

The Independent Living Donor Advocate Network™ (ILDAN™) is an online community of social workers, nurses, professional counselors, clergy, and other health professionals who serve in live donor transplant programs throughout the Nation. The Living Bank produces a live webinar each quarter and offers previously recorded presentations for on-demand viewing. Attendees may earn one continuing education credit at no-cost for each course completed.

We are educating our communities

WHAT IS LIVING ORGAN DONATION?

Living organ donation is the process of a living person donating their kidney, or portion of their liver, to another person in need of a lifesaving transplant. Living organ donors, usually a loved one or family friend, offer an alternative to waiting years on the national transplant list for a deceased organ donor. Living organ donation offers hope and a second chance at life to recipients.

MOST COMMON ORGANS

TRANSPLANTED THROUGH LIVING ORGAN DONATION ARE A KIDNEY OR LIVER LOBE.

WHO CAN BE A LIVING ORGAN DONOR?

A family member, friend, and even a stranger. A person in good overall physical and mental health who is 18 years of age or older.

TYPES OF LIVING DONATION

DIRECTED DONATION: If you know the person you want to donate to, then talk with their transplant center’s living donor coordinator to schedule an evaluation.

PAIRED DONATION: If you are not a match, you may consider paired donation. The two recipients trade donors so that each recipient can receive a compatable kidney.

NON-DIRECTED DONATION: If you would like to donate altruistically to someone you do not know, contact a transplant center of your choice and speak with their living donor coordinator.

START THE CONVERSATION

Call The Living Bank and we will provide contact information to transplant centers in your area or anywhere in the United States that has a living donor program. The Living Bank’s licensed clinical social workers and staff are always here to answer your questions on living organ donation, 1-800-528-2971.

RECOVERY PROCESS

It is common for donors to experience exhaustion and small increases in blood pressure. Living kidney donors are generally discharged within one to two days and living liver donors are typically discharged within a week or two.

Recovery times vary among living donors. Living kidney donors may resume their regular activities within four to six weeks after donation and living liver donors generally resume normal activities within eight weeks.

LIFESTYLE

Living organ donors lead healthy, active lives after donation. The Living Bank has relationships with a large community of living donors and we would be happy to connect you with them to ask questions and hear their personal stories.

“A HERO IS SOMEBODY WHO IS SELFLESS, WHO IS GENEROUS IN SPIRIT, WHO JUST TRIES TO GIVE BACK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND HELP PEOPLE.”

— Doug Williams

OUR FRIEND, AND VOLUNTEER, SUBBU VENKAT DONATED HIS KIDNEY TO HIS WIFE, ANITA CHADAH. SUBBU IS AN AVID MARATHON RUNNER AND A SUPPORTER OF THE LIVING BANK.

We are advocating for living donors

Federal law requires transplant centers to provide living organ donors with an Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA).

The role of the ILDA is to protect and promote the best interests of living organ donors, ensuring their decision to donate is fully informed and free from coercion.

Prior to 2007, living donors were typically screened, educated, and cared for by the same healthcare team that cared for the transplant recipient. In 2007, to avoid a potential conflict of interest between the donor and recipient care teams, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) mandated transplant centers identify a healthcare professional to serve as an Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA) to living organ donors.

THE LIVING BANK HAS A TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS THAT SERVE AS ILDAS TO TRANSPLANT CENTERS NATIONWIDE VIA TELEHEALTH.

We are educating our transplant professionals

The federal protections established in 2007 require ILDA professionals to complete continuing education on living organ donation, transplantation, medical ethics, informed consent, and the potential for coercion. This ensures the living donor is sufficiently educated regarding their decision, the evaluation process, the surgical risks, and the benefit and need for follow-up at six months, one year, and two years post-donation.

The Living Bank launched the Independent Living Donor Advocate Network (ILDAN™) in 2012 to meet this need.

The ILDAN™ is the first-of-its kind to provide relevant, quality, and free continuing education with a focus on the unique complexities of living organ donation and transplantation. It includes a community of social workers, nurses, professional counselors, clergy, and other health professionals who serve in live donor transplant programs in the Greater Houston area and throughout the Nation.

UPCOMING LIVE WEBINAR – DECEMBER 15, 2022 at 12:30PM CST OPTIMIZING LIVING DONOR FOLLOW-UP

KRISTA L. LENTINE, MD, PhD Saint Louis University Medicine Center

JON SNYDER, PhD, MS SRTR, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute

BOARD TREASURER

I am fortunate to have had mentors in my life who directed me to volunteer opportunities.

This fall marks 34 years that I have been in Houston, where I began my accounting career. I am currently an owner at EEPB, a large local accounting firm, specializing in the healthcare industry. In my role as Director of EEPB’s Healthcare Services, I provide accounting and finance oversight to clients, augmented with internal controls and strategic advice to management.

I am fortunate to have had mentors in my life who directed me to volunteer opportunities. As a very young accountant, when asked to be treasurer for a non-profit fundraiser or join a professional society committee, I jumped in. Over the years, I found that being actively involved in philanthropic endeavors gave me lifelong friendships and experiences I would not have otherwise obtained. I have only held two volunteer positions where I was not asked to participate. The first was when I volunteered for the American Cancer Society. My father had lost a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer at 51. I was single and 29 and just plain mad. Volunteering at the American Cancer Society helped me work through that anger.

Then I got married. Side note: I met my spouse at a CPA state society committee meeting, of which I was chairperson at the time. I spent the next several years working and raising a young family. One day, I realized that my prior life of volunteer work and leadership roles had never been done in front of my children. So, back into philanthropy I went. This time to the National Charity League, which is a mother-daughter organization. I met amazing women and gained wonderful memories working alongside my daughter, and we made a difference in the community together.

My daughter called me during her junior year at Texas A&M and said, “Mom, there is an open officer position in my Speech Pathology club. Do you think I can do it?” Well, you can guess how I answered that question.

I am excited to be serving as Treasurer on The Living Bank’s Board of Directors, helping further their mission.

David Hooper

longtime friend and donor of The Living Bank shares the story behind his decades long support of The Living Bank.

I am David N. Hooper, 64, a native and lifelong resident of Conroe, Texas. I first heard of The Living Bank from friend and mentor, Sue Nichols (1927-1999), back in the 1970s. I admired and valued the work of the five Houston women who founded The Living Bank in 1968 and I soon became a regular donor.

The Living Bank is easily my favorite charity. Most of my donations are in memory of people. One may also donate for other occasions to celebrate, or to honor, family, friends, birthdays, and anniversaries.

Many of the families and individuals I honor, or make a gift in memory of, are from Conroe and the surrounding areas. Perhaps I’ve become something of a poster-person for The Living Bank, I hope so, anyway! Friends have called to thank me when they’ve received their acknowledgement card and have inquired about The Living Bank. I go on and on about the mission and how many lives have been saved through organ donation. I hope those conversations have led many of my friends to register as organ donors as well. Some have placed the acknowledgment card on their social media profile!

Growing up in Conroe, my hometown was something of a Mayberry. All business was done on the downtown square. Everyone knew everyone. Dad was County Clerk and then Mayor. His father, my grandfather, Guy Hooper, was a rancher, philanthropist, and was even the Sheriff at one point. Over the years Conroe, and all of Montgomery County, has experienced tremendous growth. The days of town square business and the small-town feel were replaced with new people, development, innovations, and to my chagrin, traffic.

After a career in the Hospitality Industry, I retired in 2005. I enjoy reading, a good crossword puzzle, the Episcopal church, the murderwhodunit channel, Sunday brunch with friends, sugar-free everything, and a cold brewski from time to time.

One constant throughout the years has always been my giving to The Living Bank. When I know someone who has lost a loved one, or there is someone special I want to honor, I send a gift in their name to support the work of The Living Bank.

Folks, The Living Bank rocks!! Their work is important, and I encourage you to make a gift in memory of or in honor of someone you love this season.

“I encourage you to make a gift in memory of or in honor of someone you love this season.”

MEET

A

Thank you to our generous donors

Ms. Erin E. Aafedt

Dr. D. Marguerite Adams, DVM

Mr. and Mrs. Gary G. Albrecht

Ms. Marcia K. Allen and Mr. George Politakis

Mr. Arturo Almaraz

Ms. Mary W. Amato

Annie E. Casey Foundation Matching Gift Program

Ms. Gwen Apodaca

Ms. Martha L. Armstrong

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Bank

Ms. Anne Marie Bartholomay and Mr. Robert T. Supinski

Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Bellamy

Major and Mrs. Charles F. Bernhardt, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. Allan K. Bernstein

Ms. Stephanie A. Bice

Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Biscone

Dr. Mark J. Biscone, Ph.D., FACHE

Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Bladorn

Mrs. Rita N. Blumenfeld

Ms. Karen M. Borek

Mr. and Mrs. David C. Bray

Ms. Bonita A. Brennan

Mrs. Harriet R. Brin

Ms. Janet P. Brooks

Mr. Kevin C. Brown

Mr. Stuart Brown, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce W. Bumstead

Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Burmeier

Ms. Laura E. Burt

Ms. Betty Burton, Estate of Camryn Buskey

Ms. Gail M. Butler

Mr. Sam A. Bybee

Dr. and Mrs. John S. Bynon, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cangro

Mrs. Justyna M. Carlson

Mr. Vincent P. Cerisano

Mr. Subramaniyan Venkataraman and Mrs. Anita Chadha

Mr. and Mrs. David Champion

Ms. Emily K. Chappell

Ms. Nena Chima-Tetteh

Mr. Donald J. Cisek

Ms. Anne K. Clare

Mr. Seth W. Clark

Dr. Gillian E. Cook O.P.

Mr. H. Talbot Cooley

Sarah Couser

Roger D. Coutant, D.D.S. Mr. and Mrs. Randy J. Curde

Mr. Edward C. Dasse

Dr. Salil V. Deshpande and Dr. Drew Helmer Mr. Gary M. Dewey Mr. Raymond P. Domino

Ms. Ann R. Donoghue Ms. Nancy K. Dop Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dugick Mr. William K. Duttweiler Ms. Fran M. Edwards Mr. Ramsay M. Elder Mr. John E. Engle Mr. Herbert J. Engman Ms. Lesley Fant

Fidelity Charitable Dr. and Mrs. Harold J. Fields Ms. Sherrie R. Finn Mr. David L. Finney Mr. and Mrs. John E. Flores Ms. Delaina Foster Dr. and Mrs. O. Howard Frazier Ms. Susan J. Frye Ms. Joan F. Furstenberg Mr. and Mrs. William C. Gardner Prof. and Mrs. David R. Gergen Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gill Ms. Laura A. Godfrey GoTo Technologies, Inc. Ms. Dinah D. Gow Mr. and Mrs. James L. Graham Mr. and Mrs. David M. Gregory Mr. and Mrs. Alfred O. Grimminger Mr. Edward Grodsky Mr. James M. Gwynn Mrs. Ardath J. Heard Ms. Christine F. Henderson Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Hoepner Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence D. Hogan Mr. and Ms. John Hogshead II Ms. Ayke Hoppenreijs Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hoppler Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Howe Mr. and Mrs. Steven K. Howell Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Inglis Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. Jacobs Ms. Janis H. Jensen Mr. Clarence J. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Edmond A. Joran Mrs. Marie L. Kanach Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Karas Dr. Ditza Katz

Ms. Dorothy E. Kaufmann Ms. Joan M. Kelly Ms. Charlma E. Kile Mr. Duncan S. Kincaid Mr. Paul W. Kirscht

Mr. Steven J. Koehler Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Koup Mr. and Mrs. Stanley W. Krauhs Mr. Jeffrey D. Kurz

Ms. Deborah A. Larson Ms. Nancy K. LeBoeuf Mr. and Mrs. Damon J. Leonetti

Ms. Kristine W. Levenhagen

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Levy Mr. Timothy S. Libassi

Ms. Catherine Lightfoot, CPA, CHBC Mr. and Mrs. Grant Loeffler

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald A. Loneker, Sr. Mr. George L. Lotter, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen P. Lovejoy

Ms. Michele Maio

Ms. Dorothy G. Marston Ms. Danielle Marteney

Ms. Deborah Maurer, MBA, RN

Ms. Patricia May Mr. Dan L. McGurk

Mr. and Mrs. Everett A. McLaughlin Mr. Pau J. Miehlke

Mr. and Mrs. Merle L. Miller Ms. Mary P. Mitchell

Mr. and Mrs. James F. Moffa

Mr. Peter M. Moore

Mr. and Mrs. Tommy G. Murphy

Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Murray

Mr. Habib Nathan

Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Neubrand

Mr. Loren T. Newton

Ms. Samantha Noreen

Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Oelkers

Mr. Freddy O’Ferrall, Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Oglesby Mr. Rintaro Okoshi Mr. Charles T. Ondrej Ms. Lauri A. Orwig Mr. and Mrs. Luis Ostrosky Mr. and Mrs. Norman L. Owsley

Ms. Celeste F. Pardee

Ms. A. Lynette Parsons

Ms. Karen S. Pasewark

Ms. Gloria H. Patterson

Mr. Thomas E. Phillips

Mr. and Mrs. Kent E. Ping Ms. Kristina Pravoverov

Ms. Lisa Ramey

Dr. Lillian A. Rankel and Dr. Andrew Jackson

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Regan

Mr. and Mrs. George M. Roberts

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Ryan

Mrs. Diesa R. Samp, MHA, BSN, RN, CCTC Mr. Arlon J. Sandbulte

Mr. Frank H. Sartor

Dr. Gretchen M. Schmalz

Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Schneider

Mr. and Mrs. Guy A. Schneider

Ms. Peggy L. Schultz and Mr. John K. Preston

Mr. and Mrs. Lin L. Seder

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Shaffer

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Shaw

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Sicilio

Ms. Bonnie L. Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Corbett T. Smith

Ms. and Mr. Nina B. Smith

Ms. Joyce A. Statz

Mr. and Mrs. Johnny G. Stewart

Mr. Josh Tabin and Dr. Melissa Tabin Mr. Charles R. Taliaferro Mrs. Sandra G. Thompson Mr. Jeffrey A. Tipton TisBest Philanthropy Ms. Emily L. Todd Mr. and Mrs. Lee A. Train

Mr. Warren J. Tripp

Mr. and Mrs. Morris L. Tubesing Mr. and Mrs. John G. Tyczynski Mrs. Susan L. Utter

Ms. Kayleigh Valley Ms. Mary C. VanderSchaaf

Ms. Jill D. Veber

Mr. Mark A. Vince Mr. John J. Vrablik Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Wainwright Mr. and Mrs. Eric Walther Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Westling Ms. Teresa E. White

Tribute donations

IN HONOR OF

Ms. Vicky L. Arbuckle in honor of Daren Rodgers

Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Fowler in honor of Kelly Perdue Mr. and Mrs. Carl Friedman in honor of Melissa and Jim Friedman

Ms. Gloria H. Fyfe in honor of Carl Nelms

Mr. and Mrs. James B. Jones in honor of Jerry Elmore Ms. Gay A. Roane in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Louis Allen Ms. Jacqueline M. V. Walsh in honor of Rene Salenga Dr. and Mrs. William Wescott in honor of Kelly Perdue

IN MEMORY OF

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Bartlett, Jr. in memory of Tom Bartlett Mr. William T. Bostock in memory of Billy Bostock

Ms. Renee Cormier in memory of Ardis P. Mizner Dr. and Mrs. William J. Dana in memory of Thomas K. Moore III

Ms. Kathleen DeMont in memory of Gerard DeMont

Mrs. Barbara Z. Duncan in memory of Christopher Duncan

Ms. Diane P. Ellis in memory of Ardis Mizner

Ms. Marianne Flanagan in memory of Marilyn Chilluffo Mr. and Mrs. Quenten Goldstein in memory of Ardis Mizner Dr. Robert Gordon in memory of Joan Anderson Dr. and Mrs. Gregory D. Graham in memory of Joan S. Anderson

Jean Riopelle Guez, Ph.D. in memory of Joan S. Anderson McGurk Mr. and Mrs. John P. Hearson in memory of John Paul Hearson Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Hecht in memory of Glen Karsten Mr. David N. Hooper in memory of Dr. Bilsing in memory of Bill Chadwick in memory of Errol Coker in memory of Dick Conti in memory of Robert Cross in memory of Emily Daniel in memory of Mrs. Danley in memory of Javier Gonzales in memory of Tommy Gray in memory of Sarah Gutekunst in memory of V. J. Hill in memory of Gloria Victoria Isaacs in memory of Al Keplar in memory of Leroy Wayne Mack in memory of Marion Snider McNeel in memory of Rev. Curtis A. Myers in memory of Kay Dunagan Parker in memory of Mr. Sauced in memory of Noreen Scott

Mrs. Amity K. Horowitz in memory of Danny Horowitz

Mr. and Mrs. K. J. Hudgins in memory of Stella Ms. Debbie Hughes in memory of Ardis “Bunny” Mizner

Mr. and Mrs. Roy H. Hunt in memory of Lee (L.E.) Taylor

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Landis in memory of Frances P. McGee

Ms. Marilyn Lenz and Mr. James Stroope in memory of Buddy Allbritton in memory of Jimmy Appleby in memory of Sandy Hammer in memory of Tom Hansen in memory of Don Hinds in memory of Terry Holsinger in memory of Brad McCurry in memory of Hettie Smith

Ms. Virginia E. Wiggins

Mr. and Mrs. David D. Wilson Mr. Larry D. Wilson

Mrs. Rheba L. Wilson, Estate of Mrs. Susan Smith Wolf Ms. Lillian G. Woo

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick H. Wood, III Dr. and Mrs. R. Patrick Wood

Mr. and Mrs. Noel G. Wray Mr. C. T. Wrubel

Mr. and Mrs. David L. Yarbrough Ms. Leslie E. Zalles

Mrs. Lindy P. Linn in memory of Ardis Mizner

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mazurek, Jr. in memory of Mary V. Tretinik

Ms. Maureen M. McCart in memory of Frances D. Murphy

Mrs. Diana L. McCracken in memory of Jim McCracken

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Orr III in memory of Betty Kirn

Ms. Kay H. Picard in memory of Ardis Mizner

Ms. Harley G. Puff in memory of Anna Lisa Burns in memory of John Michel Cochran in memory of Phil (Pippy) Crow in memory of Jann Green in memory of Reed Robinson in memory of Mel Wilde

Mrs. Teresa E. Radosti in memory of George “Butch” Hatfield in memory of Wendy Toy

Ms. Claire H. Rivers in memory of Cindy Gold in memory of Ruth Wysocki

Ms. Evelyn M. Rollison in memory of Stanley Earl Rollison

Ms. Peggy D. Rowe in memory of Betsy Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Seekely in memory of Michael Rudin

Mrs. Flora A. Slate in memory of Ron Slate

Mr. Ralph E. Tamper in memory of Andrew Tamper

Mr. and Mrs. William P. Tschinkel in memory of Michael F. Fennessy

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Urschel in memory of Shawn M. Urschel

Mr. and Mrs. William S. Whisler in memory of Dr. Joan S. Anderson

Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn L. Wolff in memory of Leah Grossberg

The

Our nation has a critical organ shortage — specifically kidneys and livers.

Today, over 116,000 people nationwide are on the national transplant waiting list.

Last year, only 20% of those waiting for a kidney received a second chance at life.

The problem is, most people don’t know living organ donation is an alternative!

A kidney or liver from a living donor is the fastest option, with the best results and can save more lives NOW! The Living Bank is here to inform, inspire and invoke change through awareness.

The Living Bank Staff

KELLY PERDUE President and CEO

CATHLEEN THOMAS Director of Programs

TERESA RADOSTI Development Specialist

Independent Living Donor Advocates

SHARON COPLON, LMSW

LISA ARZYMANOW,

STEPHANIE OSTROSKY, LCSW

Board of Directors

OFFICERS

MARK J. BISCONE, PHD, FACHE, CHAIR

ACHE Southeast Texas Chapter Living Kidney Donor

JOSH TABIN, VICE CHAIR MosaicCFO

CATHERINE LIGHTFOOT, TREASURER EEPB Tax Audit Advisory

KATHLEEN WOOD, SECRETARY Community Volunteer Living Kidney Donor

BOARD MEMBERS

J. STEVE BYNON JR., MD, FACS Memorial Hermann -TMC

SALIL V. DESHPANDE, MD, MBA UnitedHealthcare of Texas

DAVID M. GREGORY, JD Locke Lord LLP

AYKE HOPPENREIJS Family Circle of Care

DEB MAUER, RN, MBA University of Pennsylvania Medical Center

DIESA R. SAMP, MHA, BSN, RN, CCTC Texas Children’s Hospital

R. PATRICK WOOD, MD, FACS, CTBS LifeGift

CHARLES DICKENS

“NO