Just as severe illness can strike the old, it can affect the young too. A Dear Abby article published March 5th pointed out the impact of disease on a young girl. Kidney disease shouldn’t be part of most 12-year-olds’ vocabulary, as it usually affects older people - but the writer, a now older Klarissa Ramirez of Minneapolis, knew all too well what it meant.
Ramirez was diagnosed during a routine athletic physical check-up. The routine check-up possibly saved her from losing her kidneys. She states in her letter that 100 people are added to the national donation list and 17 die every day waiting for organs. She stresses early screening and a healthy lifestyle as a way each individual can protect themselves.
Abby also added to Klarissa’s plea by informing her readers that March is National Kidney Month. Specifically, March 12th is World Kidney Day. The National Kidney Foundation raises awareness on this day by providing a free screening program called KEEP – Kidney Early Evaluation Program.
The National Kidney Foundation can help locate a program near you by calling 800-622-9010.
Wanna Do It...
…Do It Now!
Written by Madison Bender
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
My True Story - Donation Could Have Made the Difference
I have vague recollections of my great grandfather James as good humored and creative; he and my great grandmother, Miriam, and they would often fancy themselves to write and memorize poems to recite for their children and grandchildren. I saw many of these with my great grandmother and starred as the sole actor after my great grandfather had passed or on tape once my great grandmother was no longer quite able to recall the words.
Growing up and working on a farm his whole life, Great Grandpa contracted Hepatitis A. Being older and a little suspicious of “new-fangled” technologies, he refused to get any of the shots his doctor recommended. Eventually, this was linked to cancerous polyps that had formed in his large intestine. Of course, he also refused a colonoscopy, so the cancer had already spread to his liver by the time they removed the polyps from his intestine. Ultimately, it wasn’t the Hepatitis A that got him. In 1994, my great grandfather died of liver cancer. He was 78 years old. Many people associate any liver disorder with alcohol. My great grandfather had never consumed a drop of alcohol in his whole life.
Organ donation may have been able to save his life, but the length of the waiting list for organ donations is often too long for patients to overcome – especially older patients with pressing needs. That’s why it’s so important for people who are willing to donate step-up and make their wishes known.
If you’re willing to do it...Do It Now!
Written by Natalyn Giverson
Growing up and working on a farm his whole life, Great Grandpa contracted Hepatitis A. Being older and a little suspicious of “new-fangled” technologies, he refused to get any of the shots his doctor recommended. Eventually, this was linked to cancerous polyps that had formed in his large intestine. Of course, he also refused a colonoscopy, so the cancer had already spread to his liver by the time they removed the polyps from his intestine. Ultimately, it wasn’t the Hepatitis A that got him. In 1994, my great grandfather died of liver cancer. He was 78 years old. Many people associate any liver disorder with alcohol. My great grandfather had never consumed a drop of alcohol in his whole life.
Organ donation may have been able to save his life, but the length of the waiting list for organ donations is often too long for patients to overcome – especially older patients with pressing needs. That’s why it’s so important for people who are willing to donate step-up and make their wishes known.
If you’re willing to do it...Do It Now!
Written by Natalyn Giverson
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Do It Now Challenge…Explained
While our student-run PR firm tirelessly tries to register Ohioans to become organ and tissue donors, we thought it necessary to mention we are not the only students relentlessly fighting for this cause. Our efforts are part of a state-wide effort to add 240,000 new donors to the state of Ohio’s Donor Registry. Running throughout the school year, 17 Ohio colleges and universities are participating in the Do It Now College Challenge Campaign spreading awareness of the need for organ and tissue donors in their respective regions on behalf of Donate Life America and Second Chance Trust Fund.
Each school’s student group – ours being Vision Communications, Ohio Northern’s student-run public relations firm – is in charge of developing a communication campaign to spread the word about organ and tissue donation and encouraging people to sign-up to join the Donor Registry. The goal for each student group is to include in their communications plan guerilla marketing, alumni outreach and launch a program to spread minority awareness to see who can register the most donors. Each participating college has a specific goal of registrants to be registered depending on the number of non-registered donors in their region as well as population.
This is the second year for the campaign. The 2007-2008 College Challenge added 125,000 new registrants to the registry. Those goals were surpassed and participating students contributed to over half of the 240,000 new registrants. So obviously there is a high level of anticipation to see which group comes out on top and to see how many new donors we all can add to Ohio's Donor Registry.
Wanna Do It….
…Do It Now!
www.doitnowohio.org/onu
Written by Madison Bender
Each school’s student group – ours being Vision Communications, Ohio Northern’s student-run public relations firm – is in charge of developing a communication campaign to spread the word about organ and tissue donation and encouraging people to sign-up to join the Donor Registry. The goal for each student group is to include in their communications plan guerilla marketing, alumni outreach and launch a program to spread minority awareness to see who can register the most donors. Each participating college has a specific goal of registrants to be registered depending on the number of non-registered donors in their region as well as population.
This is the second year for the campaign. The 2007-2008 College Challenge added 125,000 new registrants to the registry. Those goals were surpassed and participating students contributed to over half of the 240,000 new registrants. So obviously there is a high level of anticipation to see which group comes out on top and to see how many new donors we all can add to Ohio's Donor Registry.
Wanna Do It….
…Do It Now!
www.doitnowohio.org/onu
Written by Madison Bender
Saturday, February 21, 2009
With tragedy there is hope
With tragedy there can be hope, life isn’t always nice to us and it is constantly throwing us curve balls that we don’t quite understand. Although, what if there was a way to change up the pitch?
On a warm summer day a young woman is driving down a mountain highway. A slow-moving truck impedes her progress, and she attempts to pass it by moving into the oncoming lane of traffic. Suddenly, a second truck looms in the oncoming lane, and it clips the woman's rear fender. The fast moving truck collides with her car, and she passes on with no time to think or make any last minute choices, or even say goodbye.
As the paramedics arrive, glistening in the sunlight was a silver bracelet that caught the EMT’s attention, slowly he reads…Donor.
On a warm summer day, six year old Michael is getting ready to warm up for his first little league game of the summer. During the second inning he was up to bat and was making it his prime duty to get to base before the baseman. As he stumbles, grabs his chest and falls hard to the ground his father rushes to his son’s side. Michael is taken to the hospital where it is discovered he needs a heart transplant and there is no available donor.
As the family morns with little hope, Michael’s mother is told about a woman killed in a car crash, who happens to have a good heart and the same blood type as Michael, she has been flown to the hospital for organ recovery. Michael is given the life-saving operation, and he can live on knowing that since that woman was an organ donor he has been granted life. This is something you can be forever thankful for.
This story, and many others like it, have reached the hearts of people everywhere. Being a donor can and will change someone’s life, possibly even your own. The story above impeccably resembles a film by the name of John Q. This movie is a way to show us first hand that life can be changed unexpectedly, but you can change the pitch if you are ready for it.
Written by Renee Pirolozzi
On a warm summer day a young woman is driving down a mountain highway. A slow-moving truck impedes her progress, and she attempts to pass it by moving into the oncoming lane of traffic. Suddenly, a second truck looms in the oncoming lane, and it clips the woman's rear fender. The fast moving truck collides with her car, and she passes on with no time to think or make any last minute choices, or even say goodbye.
As the paramedics arrive, glistening in the sunlight was a silver bracelet that caught the EMT’s attention, slowly he reads…Donor.
On a warm summer day, six year old Michael is getting ready to warm up for his first little league game of the summer. During the second inning he was up to bat and was making it his prime duty to get to base before the baseman. As he stumbles, grabs his chest and falls hard to the ground his father rushes to his son’s side. Michael is taken to the hospital where it is discovered he needs a heart transplant and there is no available donor.
As the family morns with little hope, Michael’s mother is told about a woman killed in a car crash, who happens to have a good heart and the same blood type as Michael, she has been flown to the hospital for organ recovery. Michael is given the life-saving operation, and he can live on knowing that since that woman was an organ donor he has been granted life. This is something you can be forever thankful for.
This story, and many others like it, have reached the hearts of people everywhere. Being a donor can and will change someone’s life, possibly even your own. The story above impeccably resembles a film by the name of John Q. This movie is a way to show us first hand that life can be changed unexpectedly, but you can change the pitch if you are ready for it.
Written by Renee Pirolozzi
Monday, February 16, 2009
Tissue Donation Process
We have covered how organ donation works, but what is the difference between organ and tissue donation?
Tissue donation, unlike organ donation, can take place regardless of cardiac death when ventilator support is not necessary or after a declaration of brain death.
A thorough background examination is again obtained from the patient but further tests, such as blood tests, cultures, a patient physical examination, or a review of autopsy findings can take place to determine the suitability of each tissue for the donation process.
Once declared to be an acceptable tissue donor, the donor is matched to a recipient like in the organ donation process. Tissue recovery surgery, like organ donation, is a respectable process. When completed, the tissue is restored to a natural look for both the recipient and donor’s appearance.
Depending on the situation of death, following an organ and/or tissue transplant the body is released to the medical examiner or to the family’s choice of funeral home. Donation outcome information is provided to the donor's family, but names and locations of the recipients are kept confidential, and the donor’s identity is also not revealed.
Written by Madison Bender
Tissue donation, unlike organ donation, can take place regardless of cardiac death when ventilator support is not necessary or after a declaration of brain death.
A thorough background examination is again obtained from the patient but further tests, such as blood tests, cultures, a patient physical examination, or a review of autopsy findings can take place to determine the suitability of each tissue for the donation process.
Once declared to be an acceptable tissue donor, the donor is matched to a recipient like in the organ donation process. Tissue recovery surgery, like organ donation, is a respectable process. When completed, the tissue is restored to a natural look for both the recipient and donor’s appearance.
Depending on the situation of death, following an organ and/or tissue transplant the body is released to the medical examiner or to the family’s choice of funeral home. Donation outcome information is provided to the donor's family, but names and locations of the recipients are kept confidential, and the donor’s identity is also not revealed.
Written by Madison Bender
Thursday, February 12, 2009
How does it work? Organ Donation
If you are weary about becoming an organ and tissue donor maybe more information about the process would ease your anxiety. The process is a little different for organ and tissue donations.
An OPO is the organ procurement organization and hospitals are required by law to contact this organization before any further action in the organ donation process can take place when a patient is available to become a donor. The patient will then be evaluated for donor suitability – a medical and social history assessment is conducted. Usually the patient is being kept alive by ventilator at this time after being pronounced brain dead, but in some cases organ donations can occur after a cardiac death.
The Ohio Donor Registry database is then checked to check the donor’s official donation wishes or the family is consulted. At this point of consent the patient is eligible to become a donor. If found to be an appropriate donor the OPO contacts the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) to match the organs with a proper recipient. Recipients are found and paired with an organ based on size, blood type, need and region. Because of the limited time between surgical organ recovery and transplantation the most appropriate beneficiary for each organ is located and contacted before the surgical recovery procedure begins.
Once the surgery is prepared the ventilator is disconnected. During the surgical recovery process of the organs it is assured the donor is treated with respect and dignity. After the operation, the organs are quickly and carefully transported to transplant centers where the UNOS identified recipients are waiting to receive their transplants.
Check in again soon to learn about the difference between organ and tissue donation.
An OPO is the organ procurement organization and hospitals are required by law to contact this organization before any further action in the organ donation process can take place when a patient is available to become a donor. The patient will then be evaluated for donor suitability – a medical and social history assessment is conducted. Usually the patient is being kept alive by ventilator at this time after being pronounced brain dead, but in some cases organ donations can occur after a cardiac death.
The Ohio Donor Registry database is then checked to check the donor’s official donation wishes or the family is consulted. At this point of consent the patient is eligible to become a donor. If found to be an appropriate donor the OPO contacts the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) to match the organs with a proper recipient. Recipients are found and paired with an organ based on size, blood type, need and region. Because of the limited time between surgical organ recovery and transplantation the most appropriate beneficiary for each organ is located and contacted before the surgical recovery procedure begins.
Once the surgery is prepared the ventilator is disconnected. During the surgical recovery process of the organs it is assured the donor is treated with respect and dignity. After the operation, the organs are quickly and carefully transported to transplant centers where the UNOS identified recipients are waiting to receive their transplants.
Check in again soon to learn about the difference between organ and tissue donation.
Written by Madison Bender
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Recipient Story: One Small Heart
When deciding whether or not you want to become an organ and tissue donor you may be constantly flooded with facts and statistics. Although these pieces of information are essential, you must read and listen to the untold stories. These are the ones that truly capture your heart and tell about those individuals whose lives have been saved because of organ and tissue donation. After hearing these stories, you feel inspired and begin to understand how just one person can affect the lives of others. In fact, according to DonateLifeOhio.org, last year more than 8,000 deceased donors made possible more than 22,000 organ transplants. This is proof that you can truly make a difference in the world.
One such story that is extremely heart-warming and inspirational is the story of a little boy named T.J. Born on October 15, 2005, T.J. was a healthy child full of life and energy; however on June 12th his parents took him to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh because he had been sick during the night. What they thought was the flu turned out to be Viral Myocarditi, which is a virus that attacks and damages the heart. After placing a machine called an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) to keep his blood oxygenated and circulating, his parents and doctors were hopeful. However, his condition didn’t seem to improve and soon after T.J. was diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, a rare condition in which his heart couldn't relax to fill with blood. The only way to save him was a heart transplant, but he could not wait for a donor and needed help immediately.
The doctors decided to use a Berlin Heart. This device could pump and circulate the blood for his heart. This particular device was put in place on July 11, 2007, and two days later T.J. was taken off the ventilator. Finally, on July 16th a donor heart was available and the doctors accepted it. On that very same day, doctor’s performed a heart-transplant and the surgery was a success! T.J. made a strong recovery and proved that he is tough and courageous. Since that time, T. J. has been readmitted to the hospital because of a complication from the transplant called PTLD. This disease causes tumors to grow in lymph tissues. These tumors were all along his GI tract and the tumors were worse than the doctors predicted. However, T.J. once again proved his strength by enduring a four week course of medication and treatment. Since March 2008, T.J. has been doing very well and although he still has some GI issues, he’s playing just like any 3-year-old boy and healing with his family.
This is only one of several stories involving organ donation. This little boy’s life could have ended in his first years of life had it not been for the heart transplant. So, when considering whether or not you want to be an organ and tissue donor, think of T.J. and thousands of others who are desperately depending on donors. Realize that this is your chance to give back and make an impact on someone’s life.
**T.J.’s story and ways you can donate to his cause can be found at: http://www.cotafortjw.com/node/46
Written by Amber Upp
One such story that is extremely heart-warming and inspirational is the story of a little boy named T.J. Born on October 15, 2005, T.J. was a healthy child full of life and energy; however on June 12th his parents took him to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh because he had been sick during the night. What they thought was the flu turned out to be Viral Myocarditi, which is a virus that attacks and damages the heart. After placing a machine called an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) to keep his blood oxygenated and circulating, his parents and doctors were hopeful. However, his condition didn’t seem to improve and soon after T.J. was diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, a rare condition in which his heart couldn't relax to fill with blood. The only way to save him was a heart transplant, but he could not wait for a donor and needed help immediately.
The doctors decided to use a Berlin Heart. This device could pump and circulate the blood for his heart. This particular device was put in place on July 11, 2007, and two days later T.J. was taken off the ventilator. Finally, on July 16th a donor heart was available and the doctors accepted it. On that very same day, doctor’s performed a heart-transplant and the surgery was a success! T.J. made a strong recovery and proved that he is tough and courageous. Since that time, T. J. has been readmitted to the hospital because of a complication from the transplant called PTLD. This disease causes tumors to grow in lymph tissues. These tumors were all along his GI tract and the tumors were worse than the doctors predicted. However, T.J. once again proved his strength by enduring a four week course of medication and treatment. Since March 2008, T.J. has been doing very well and although he still has some GI issues, he’s playing just like any 3-year-old boy and healing with his family.
This is only one of several stories involving organ donation. This little boy’s life could have ended in his first years of life had it not been for the heart transplant. So, when considering whether or not you want to be an organ and tissue donor, think of T.J. and thousands of others who are desperately depending on donors. Realize that this is your chance to give back and make an impact on someone’s life.
**T.J.’s story and ways you can donate to his cause can be found at: http://www.cotafortjw.com/node/46
Written by Amber Upp
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