SPRING 2017 WWW.LIVINGBANK.ORG
A DVA N C I N G L I V I N G O R G A N DO N AT I O N
TO CONFRONT THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF ORGANS NEEDED FOR LIFE-SAVING TRANSPLANTS
S E E DO N AT I O N F O R M O N L A S T PAG E F O R O R D E R I N G I N F O R M AT I O N
Photography by Guillermo Diaz Photography
P U R C H A S E YO U R BE SOMEONE’S HERO T - S H I R T TO DAY !
D E D I C AT E D I N M E M O R Y O F B Y R O N C . TAY L O R , S R .
MY KIDNEY SOUL SISTERS
Never, in a million years did I anticipate, at the age of 70, a diagnosis of Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.
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ever, in a million years did I anticipate the day my nephrologist would call to tell me, “your kidney (I only had one left) has failed and you are now in Stage 5 (the final stage) of Chronic Kidney Disease”. In the following two months I endured two surgeries preparing me for Peritoneal Dialysis (PD). My husband was essential to my receiving PD at home and his tender care kept me going. But after six grueling months, my perceptive nephrologist suggested I consider transplantation.
With over 100,000 individuals ahead of me on the national kidney transplant waiting list, and my mistaken belief that I was too old to receive a healthy new kidney, I did not expect this chapter of my story to end well. Then I learned that finding a living kidney donor was a life-saving Living kidney donor Kellie and recipient, Rudyne Walker alternative to waiting years on the transplant list. With no siblings, no living parents and a husband whose age is near my own I thought, Who could? Who would? Why would anyone give me a kidney? We prayed and amazingly, six people offered to give me one of their kidneys. In the end two were approved for donor compatibility; our son, Max (then a Sr. Master Sergeant in the USAF, now a Chief) and Kellie, a colleague I had known and worked with since the late ‘90s. The joy of their approvals quickly faded as the tests revealed that neither Kellie nor Max were sufficient matches to make the operation’s outcome successful. But there was hope, they consented to participate in a paired kidney exchange, or swap, at Houston Methodist in the Texas Medical Center. The swap process is much more complex than one can imagine. It takes dozens of healthcare professionals juggling scheduling challenges that blow the mind. A swap requires several hospital operating rooms, surgeons and medical teams, working simultaneously, to maximize the number of patients receiving a life-saving kidney transplant. Driving this effort are needy waiting-patients, their non-matching willing-donors and the transplant teams searching for their perfect matches. Then, by operating on all pairs who have matched up, one
kidney is removed from one donor and given to a needy patient, who is probably a stranger, and that patient’s paired-donor then yields one of their kidneys to another waiting recipient and the daisy-chain continues until all involved have one highly functioning kidney remaining. Kellie and I became a pair, and Max, our son, was waiting in the wings to become paired with me, should the computer not find Kellie and me a match. But by God’s grace, on June 26, 2016, Kellie was among 10 of those successfully matched; 5 donors had given life to 5 patients. The multiplier effect of the swap was working! But the unknown person who matched me was not available until July 1st. When July 1st was postponed until July 26th, my anxiety rose like a NASA launch. Our coordinator perceived this and arranged a call to reassure Living kidney donor Dana my sagging confidence. My and recipient, Rudyne Walker donor, Dana, a busy nurse, wife and mom from Kerrville assured me we had a date on July 26th! She said, “God’s got this”. You see, Dana was an altruistic donor (she was not paired with a needy patient). She agreed to participate in a swap, and was willing to give her kidney to anyone with whom she matched, to help more people, sooner and saving more lives in the process. On July 26, 2016, through Dana, God gave me new life. We became part of a 12-person swap who benefitted in the largest kidney exchange in the hospital’s history. Yes! The donors said they also benefitted by the joy of giving. My journey bestowed many riches; a young healthy kidney; friends for life – my Kidney Soul Sisters, Kellie and Dana; an outpouring of prayers and love; a reawakening of my faith and rock-hard knowledge of God’s love! Today I am blessed with a full and independent life; a loving marriage of 46 years; one magnificent son and an incredible daughterin-law; two bright and beautiful grandchildren; and an enviable 35-year career with a major energy concern.
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2017 living bank celebration bank g n i v i l 7 1 ent 20 m 2017 living bank n i a t r e t n ings bration MichaelESkelly art paint rban celebrationcele Honoree Living Kidney live UDonor n / sale exhibitio
October 27, 2017
Honoree Living Kidney DonorThe Junior League Michael Skelly
October 27, 2017
The Junior League 6pm cocktails 7pm dinner and entertainment
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contact
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6pm cocktails For 7pm dinner and entertainment
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live Urban art paintings art exhibition / sale auction benefiting the living bank
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live Urban art paintings art exhibition / sale auction benefiting the living bank kidney donor and his Michael Skelly, living hy, kidney recipient lca Mu ret rga sister, Ma
For more information contact
For more information contact
kperdue@livingbank.org
or visit Livingbank.org/celebrate-life
kperdue@livingbank.org
or visit Livingbank.org/celebrate-life Be Someone’s HERO was inspired by Michael and all living organ donors.
Their courage and willing sacrifice is the true essence of a hero.
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DID YOU KNOW
Our nation has a critical organ shortage — specifically kidneys.
Today, over 100,000 people nationwide are waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant.
Last year, only 20% of those waiting for a kidney received a second chance at life.
The problem is, most people just don’t know living kidney donation is an alternative!
A kidney from a living donor is the fastest option, with the best results and can save more lives NOW! The Living Bank is here to obliterate that lack of knowledge; to inform, inspire and invoke change through awareness.
IN THE COMMUNITY
T H E P O W E R O F L I F E : L I V I N G O R G A N DO N O R AWA R E N E S S program has been busy within our communities, advancing living organ donation to confront the critical shortage of organs needed for life-saving transplants.
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HELP US SPREAD THE WORD
YOUR KIDNEYS AND YOU
The Living Bank, alongside community partner the National Kidney Foundation-Houston, had the pleasure of delivering the “Your Kidneys and You” presentation to a group at the Kashmere Garden’s Precinct 1 Community Center!
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HOUSTON HISPANIC FORUM
Close to 13,000 college bound Hispanic Texans and their families participated in the Houston Hispanic Forum on February 18th. Our friend, Kenny the Kidney, loved the attention while also spreading awareness for living kidney donation.
GIVING BACK TO THE FUTURE
On the Boardwalk Towne Lake in Cypress, Texas, The Living Bank joined forces with Nora’s Home, for transplant patients and their families and LifeGift, our regional organ procurement organization, to raise awareness about living and deceased organ donation and the life-saving miracle of transplantation. Kenny the Kidney poses with a 1989 DeLorean, being raffled off by Nora’s Home.
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WORLD KIDNEY DAY
On March 9th, The Living Bank, LifeGift, National Kidney Foundation and Texas Children’s Hospital’s Renal Department celebrated #WorldKidneyDay on the sky bridge!
1. Left to right: Ruby Deleon, Administrative Assistant-Kashmere Gardens Precinct 1 Community Center; Lorna Hankins, Executive Director-National Kidney Foundation; Linda Schacht LCSW; Karina Fernandez, Director of Education and Outreach-The Living Bank; and Ashely Avalos, Development Director-National Kidney Foundation. 2. Left to right: Angela Hawkins, Living Kidney Donor; Karina Fernandez, Director of Education and Outreach-The Living Bank; Frida MoszkowiczWilson, Quality of Life Program Coordinator for Texas Children’s Hospital Renal Services; Bart Walker, Nephcure Kidney International; and Ashely Avalos, Development Director-National Kidney Foundation.
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The Be Someone’s HERO campaign kicked off on February 28th. 4
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Community members, living kidney donors, organ recipients and their friends and families gathered to kick off the Be Someone’s HERO Campaign at the Texas Medical Center Accelerator (TMCx). The purpose of the Be Someone’s HERO Campaign is to create a movement of awareness for living kidney donation. The evening included moving stories from living kidney donors; the inspiration for the Be Someone’s HERO movement. Their courage and sacrifice are a reminder that not all HEROES wear capes!! They come in many forms; a marathon runner, mother, teacher, grandmother, a daughter, even a stranger. Guests enjoyed food from Café Caspian; desserts from On the Kirb Organic Eatery and Sports Bar; Karbach Beer; Mid-State Wine; and musical vibes from DJ Michael Eclectic from Deep End Recordings.
THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION G O R E D F O R W O M E N , V E S T I DO R OJ O H E A L T H FA I R A N D L U N C H E O N Living kidney donor, Vicky Colorado, volunteered at The Living Bank’s exhibit booth, sharing her personal experiences and passion for living organ donation. Kidney disease and heart disease share two common causes; diabetes and high blood pressure.
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YOGA ON THE MEADOW (YOTM) YOTM, benefiting Nora’s Home, for transplant patients and their families, was held at The Houstonian Club. Yogis participated in yoga classes while other guests strolled, discovering local vendors and enjoying music. Over 200 came out to hear the inspiring testimonials from members of the community whose lives have been touched by transplant.
3. Living Kidney Donors: Angela Hawkins, Kellie Canaday, Vicky Colorado, Lori Taylor-LaDet, Subbu Venkat, Monique Wisdom Grimes and Lacye Trevino 4. Sam Trevino, kidney recipient and Lacye Trevino, his wife and living kidney donor 5. DJ Michael Eclectic, Deep End Recordings 6. Kelly Perdue, CEO of The Living Bank and Kayla Lehmann, Executive Director of Nora’s Home for transplant patients and their families.
INDEPENDENT LIVING DONOR ADVOCATE NETWORK™ (ILDAN™) THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTERS | JANUARY 2017 – APRIL 2017 ILDAN™ presents live webinars each month, 12:30 – 1:30pm CST. The broadcasts are then made available on demand. Continuing education credits and certificates of completion are offered, at no cost, to our viewers. Dates are announced via email or text*. HARVEY MYSEL
JUAN CARLOS CAICEDO, MD, FACS
Two-time kidney transplant recipient
Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the
Founder, The Living Kidney Donors Network – Chicago, IL
Hispanic Transplant Program
Strategies Patients Use to Find a Living Kidney Donor
Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine – Chicago, IL
Increasing Living Kidney Donation in Minorities JENNIFER ANDERSON, LMSW, ACM-SW
SHELLEY SPECTOR, LCSW
Social Work Manager, Comprehensive Care Management
Independent Living Donor Advocate
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center — Fort Worth, TX
The Living Bank – Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
The White Lie
When the Living Donor Advocate Says “No”
CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING WEBINARS MAY 16, 2017 TAMMY WRIGHT, RN, BSN, CCTC
AUGUST 15, 2017 TERI BROWNE, PHD, MSW, NSW-C
Lead Living Donor and Exchange Coordinator
Associate Professor at the College of Social Work
Sharp Kidney and Pancreas Transplant – San Diego, CA
University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC
Increasing Living Donation Through KPD and Changes to the Informed Consent to Evaluate the Living Donor
Cultural Competence in Living Donation – Cultural Barriers, Health Literacy, African Americans
JUNE 13, 2017 JAMES R. RODRIGUE, PHD
SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 DEBBIE MORGAN, MSW, LCSW
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Surgery
Vice President, Barnabas Health Renal and
Faculty member in the Division of Transplantation
Pancreas Transplant Division
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Boston, MA
RWJ Barnabas Health – Livingston, NJ
Professor of Surgery and Psychiatry in the
The Psychosocial Evaluation of Living Donors
Harvard Medical School – Boston, MA
Transplant House Calls: A Primer
*Text “ILDA” to 31996 to receive webinar updates and registration links. Normal text message rates apply. Text “STOP” to opt out. Text “HELP” for help. Up to 4 messages per month.
STATS
1
A S O F M AY 9 , 2 0 1 7
3
KIDNEY
LIVER
HEART
97,662
14,430
3,967
N AT I O N A L TRANSPLANT WA I T I N G L I S T
117,774
2
5
6
7
LUNG
PA N C R E A S
INTESTINE
1,407
932
268
*Based on data from the Organ Procurement Transplantation Network (OPTN)
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KIDNEY/ PA N C R E A S
1,702
8
HEART/ LUNG
41
BE OUR HERO
WITH YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR LIFE-SAVING WORK; INFORMING THE PUBLIC SO NO ONE DIES WAITING FOR A TRANSPLANT BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T KNOW LIVING ORGAN DONATION WAS AN OPTION.
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B OA R D O F F I C E R S
T H E L I V I N G B A N K S TA F F
David M. Gregory, Chair, Partner, Locke Lord LLP Mark J. Biscone, PhD, FACHE, Vice Chairman, Living Kidney Donor Kristine Mineman, Treasurer, Deloitte Tax LLP
Kelly Perdue, CPA, President and CEO Cathleen Thomas, Executive Assistant Karina Fernandez, Director of Education and Outreach Teresa Radosti, Development and Database Specialist
B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Shahzad Bashir, Morae Legal Shaista Khan Bashir, Director, Bashir Investments LLC, Philanthropist Michael C. Braun, MD, FASN, Texas Children’s Hospital J. Steve Bynon, MD, FACS, Memorial Hermann Hospital Judith Craven, MD, MPH, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast (Retired) Salil V. Deshpande, MD, MBA, United Healthcare of Texas A. Osama Gaber, MD, FACS, Houston Methodist Carolyne B. Oliver, Texas Southern University (Retired) Jim Rosenfeld, Martha Turner Properties Josh Tabin, Consultant
P R OG R A M S O F T H E L I V I N G B A N K The Power of LIFE: Living Organ Donor Awareness Independent Living Donor Advocacy Services Independent Living Donor Advocate Network™
I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G DO N O R A DV OC AT E S Sharon Coplon, LMSW Lisa Getz, LCSW Tracey Reeves, LCSW Shelley Spector, LCSW
PLEASE DONATE TO THE LIVING BANK