Donor’s Optimism and Generosity Runs On

Article for “Local Donor Stories: Legacies of Love and Life,” section of Solace, a newsletter for organ and tissue donor family members, from Mid-America Transplant Services

Donor’s Optimism and Generosity Runs On
Michael lived his life seeing the glass half full. “His saying to us was, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be just fine,’ ” said Patty, Mike’s wife. In September 2004, Mike was killed in an automobile accident. Four years later Mike’s optimism and generosity continue to live on through his family, his community, and his gift of sight.

Six months before Mike died, he and Patty discussed organ and tissue donation. Mike told Patty he wanted to give his organs to someone who needed them. Mike was able to donate his eyes, giving two people the miracle of sight.

One of the hardest things Patty had to do was tell her children their father had died. At the time, Jane was an eighth-grader and Katie and Paul were in college. After Patty and Jane attended a Candlelight March for donor family members in 2007, they decided the family should do something to make the public aware of the need for organ and tissue donation. They chose not to let the negative situation consume their lives, but instead do something positive to keep Mike’s memory alive.

Mike had taken up running a year before he died. He ran his first 5k race with Katie. The family decided it would be a great idea to plan a 5k run/2 mile walk in honor Mike. The Wellness Center in Jerseyville, Illinois, and Jersey Community Hospital helped develop the racecourse. A planning committee was formed and the first Spring Organ/Tissue Donation Awareness (SODA) Run began.

One-hundred-seventy-five participants ran or walked in the event held at Dolan Park in Jerseyville, Illinois, on Saturday, April 19, 2008. Two area transplant recipients were in attendance. Representatives from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office signed people up to be on the organ and tissue donor registry. Mid-America Transplant Services (MTS) staff answered questions and gave away promotional items.

The run raised over $5,000. Most of the proceeds benefited a scholarship set up at Jersey Community High School in memory of Mike. A contribution was also made to MTS.

“We could not have done this without help from our community,” Patty said. The Jersey Community High School choir sang the national anthem. Other high school students volunteered to help out where needed. Local businesses donated their goods and services. “This whole experience has been a healing process for our family,” said Patty.

It was raining the night before the race and Patty was worried. She asked Mike, “Buddy, please make it quit raining.” The next day turned out to be sunny and beautiful, just as if Mike had told Patty “Don’t worry, everything will be just fine.”

Result – This article presented an opportunity for a family to share their story which helped them and other donor families cope with their grief and demonstrated Mid-America Transplant Services’ value of service and compassion.

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A Double Blessing / Meet Gracie

Transplant recipient vignettes published in the Link, a newsletter for professional partners of Mid-America Transplant Services

A Double Blessing
Cheyenne and her grandfather, Harrison, celebrate their second chance at life together. They both received heart transplants after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Cheyenne received her new heart first, just before her second birthday. When doctors told Harrison he would need a heart transplant, too, he decided that “if Cheyenne made it through it, surely I can make it through it.” Today grandfather and granddaughter continue to enjoy spending time together, especially taking camping trips and riding on Harrison’s motorcycle.

Meet Gracie
Two-year-old Gracie, a force to be reckoned with, was born with end stage renal failure. She spent a year on dialysis, usually 13 hours overnight. Hospitalized seven times, once for over three weeks, medical staff said this exuberant little girl would light up a room with her smiles, blowing kisses to all she met. After receiving a new kidney last year, Gracie barely skipped a beat. Her boundless energy continues to enthrall everyone around her. “We are very grateful that Gracie has a normal life now,” said her mother, Jenn. “We want her to keep walking into rooms and making people smile.”

Result – These stories enabled Mid-America Transplant Services’ hospital partners to see their successes in print and emphasized MTS’s value of teamwork. These stories also illustrated how this partnership advanced MTS’s mission to “...save lives through excellence in organ and tissue donation.”

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Direct Mail Postcard

Direct mail postcard sent to select St. Louis Public School District educators inviting their class to take advantage of free transportation to Mid-America Transplant Services for an educational program

(Front of Postcard)
[Insert MTS logo]
[Insert MTS web site]

Inspire your students to learn more about health and science.
Spark their interest in a career in health sciences.
Show them how to develop and maintain good physical, mental and emotional health.
Stress the importance of critical thinking and good decision-making skills.
Share the lifesaving message of organ and tissue donation.

We invite your class to experience a fully funded, unique, hands-on educational program at our new, state-of-the-art facility. MTS will even provide transportation, free-of-charge.

This interactive educational program on organ and tissue donation is designed for students in grades 9 - 12. Our curriculum meets Missouri and Illinois State Standards in Health and Sciences.

Teaching methods include –

Hands-on organ and tissue models
Student role play
Testimony from transplant recipients and donor family members
Presentations by transplant professionals
Operating Rooms and Eye Lab tours

Reserve space today by contacting our Education Department at XXX.XXX.XXXX.

[Insert MTS logo]
[Insert MTS contact info]
[Insert MTS web site]

Result – This postcard promoted a program that exhibited how Mid-America Transplant Services strengthened their partnership with the St. Louis Public Schools and signified MTS’s values of community service and teamwork. Over twenty schools participated in field trips to MTS during the 2008-2009 school year.

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Call to Action Letter

Call to action letter sent to volunteers of Mid-America Transplant Services asking them to contact their state representatives to help pass the revised Missouri’s Uniform Anatomical Gift Act

March 3, 2008

First Last Name
Address1
Address2
City, State Zip

Dear First Last Name:

As a representative of Mid-America Transplant Services, we very much appreciate your support of our mission to save lives through excellence in organ and tissue donation.

Today, we respectfully request your help in passing the revised Missouri’s Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), House Bill 2106 and Senate Bill 1139, by writing to your state senator and state representative within the next few weeks.

This act will save more lives by changing Missouri’s Organ Donor Registry from an “intent” registry to a “first person consent” registry. It will ensure that an individual’s wishes are carried out.

Enclosed is a sample letter for you to use. You may find your state senator and state representative’s name and contact information at http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx. When you locate your official’s page, there is also an option to email them. We encourage you to do this as well.

If you would like an electronic copy of the enclosed letter or have any questions, please contact us at XXX.XXX.XXXX.

Sincerely,

First Last Name
Director, Corporate Communications
Mid-America Transplant Services

First Last Name
Aftercare Family Support
Mid-America Transplant Services

Enclosure

Your name
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
E-mail

Date

The Honorable [Senator Full Name or Representative Full Name]
Address [state capital]

Dear Senator [Last Name] or Representative [Last Name]:

As a concerned constituent, I respectfully request your support of [SB 1139 for Senator letter or HB 2106 for Representative letter] which revises Missouri’s Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA). Passage of this act will save more lives by changing Missouri’s Organ Donor Registry from an “intent” registry to a “first person consent” registry.

Under current Missouri law, when an individual signs up to become a donor it is not considered to be the individual’s consent to donate, but only evidence of the individual’s intent to donate. This bill would ensure that an individual’s wishes are carried out, whether it is to make a donation or not to make a donation. Also importantly, this legislation creates a procedure for individuals to expressly refuse to make a gift, something not authorized by current law.

[Optional: a little explanation of how organ and tissue donation benefited you]

I am asking you to please vote yes on this bill. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, more than 3,200 Missourians are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

I appreciate your consideration and support of organ donation and the lives it can save. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

[Sign your full name]

[Type your full name]

Result – This letter-writing campaign contributed to Missouri’s new First Person Consent law passed in August 2008, furthering Mid-America Transplant Services’ mission to “...save lives through excellence in organ and tissue donation,” and moved MTS closer to their vision of “every person says ‘yes’ to donation every time.”

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