April Marks the Celebration of National Donate Life Month

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1 Spring President: William A. Cutler, III Vice President: Clarke Mundhenke, D. Min Secretary/Treasurer: Edward Kohout Executive Director: Karen Risk Medical Director: Dr. James Billups Newsletter Editor: Stephanie Lochmiller The mission of Nebraska Organ Recovery System is to maximize the recovery and quality of organs and tissues for transplantation while maintaining sensitivity, compassion and respect for people of all cultures. We accomplish this by working in partnership with hospitals in the service area and by providing education to potential donor families, healthcare professionals and the public we serve. Give the Most Precious Gift of All... LIFE! 85 West Center Road Omaha, NE 684 (4) April Marks the Celebration of National Donate Life Month Every year the month of April marks the celebration of National Donate Life Month. During this time, hospitals, organizations, and families across the state of Nebraska work to promote organ donation and honor those loved ones who have given the gift of life. For the second year in a row, numerous Nebraska hospitals will be flying the Donate Life flag outside their facilities to honor donors at their hospitals as part of a nationwide initiative, Flags Across America. Donor and recipient families are welcome to join in the month long flag flying event, by purchasing their own flags at the Donate Life store at The annual Donor Family Reception will be held on April 8th, at the LaVista Conference Center. The reception is organized by the New Hearts Transplant Support group and sponsored by Nebraska Organ Recovery. The event will feature a speaker, and a ceremony honoring those loved ones who have given the gift of life. We encourage you to hold your own event at your office, church, school or civic organization meeting. We are happy to offer promotional items, educational materials and speakers for your events. Visit us at to learn more about how you can get involved. A Donate Life Organization

2 Nebraska Organ Recovery System has Record Breaking Year for Donations Nebraska Organ Recovery System (NORS) achieved a record number of donors recovered in the year 9. NORS achieved its highest number of tissue donors with 5 individuals consenting to donation, and its 3rd best year for organ donors with 45 donors for the year. This goes to show, that despite a down economy, Nebraskans have such giving spirits said Nebraska Organ Recovery Spokesperson, Stephanie Lochmiller. With over 6, people on the national transplant waiting list, there will always be a need for donors, and it has become more important than ever for people to talk to their families about organ donation. One organ donor has the potential to save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can enhance up to 6 lives. To register to be an organ and tissue donor, simply mark YES to organ donation when you obtain or renew your Nebraska driver s license, or register online at www. nedonation.org. Right now in the United States, there are more than 6, people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, 5 of those are right here in Nebraska. Every 8 minutes a patient on the transplant waiting list will die, and every minutes a new name will be added. Black History Month Highlights the Need for Minority Organ Donors February marked the celebration of the history and accomplishments of those members of the African American community in Nebraska, however many members of this community face an uncertain future dependant on the generosity of an unknown organ donor. Nationally, over 6, people wait for a life-saving organ transplant, 5 of them right here in Nebraska. And while African Americans make up only 4% of the population in Nebraska, they make up over % of the waiting list for organs in Nebraska, and almost 7% of the kidney waiting list. The need for minority organ donors is growing at a tremendous rate. Currently African Americans comprise almost 3% of the transplant waiting list, but of all organ donors only about % are of African American descent. The need for African American organ donors continues to grow according to Nebraska Organ Recovery Spokeswoman, Stephanie Lochmiller. Minorities suffer disproportionately from health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure. For many of these people, transplants become their only option for continued life. One organ donor can save the lives of eight recipients and have a lasting impact on up to 6 more through tissue donation. However, there are many misconceptions that can interfere with Give the Most Precious Gift of All... LIFE!

3 Black History Month Continued... the decision to donate organs. Organ donation is an option for people of all medical backgrounds, and at no cost to the donor family. Organ donation will not interfere with funeral arrangements, and doesn t become an option until after all life-saving efforts have been exhausted. And finally, organ donation is supported by all major U.S. religions, but if you are unsure you should contact your faith leader for guidance. Nebraska Organ Recovery Partners with Omaha Royals to Promote Organ Donation The Omaha Royals have partnered with Thrivent Financial during their Baseball season to help promote local nonprofit organizations. Nebraska Organ Recovery System has been selected as the Community Organization of the Night for the April 9th home game against Iowa. We invite you to join us as we work together with the Omaha Royals to promote organ and tissue donation throughout the night. An informational table will be displayed before and during the game, as well as an onfield and on-air interview promoting organ and tissue donation. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the gate. We look forward to seeing you there! SAVE THE DATE Nebraska Organ Recovery System Presents A Collaborative Learning Session Soaring to New Heights...A Flight Plan for Donation Success Thursday October 4th, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Strategic Air and Space Museum 8 West Park Highway Ashland, NE 683 For more information contact JohnS@nedonation.org or call

4 Nebraska Moves Closer to Adoption of the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act Legislative Bill 36, the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, was recently introduced by State Senator, Brenda Council of Omaha. The bill would update Nebraska law on donating organs, eyes, and tissues, and is encouraged to facilitate and encourage organ donations. LB36 would make it difficult for others to override the wishes for a person who had wanted to be an organ donor, one of the biggest concerns people express about registering for organ donation. With the passage of the UAGA only a clear indication by the potential donor that he or she had a change of heart prior to their death could negate previous consent to be a donor. The bill would also extend the group of people allowed to authorize organ donation if the potential donor had not previously made that decision. Along with next of kin and close family the list would now include legally designated health professionals and care providers. This act has been passed in 36 other states, and is currently pending in 4 others. The bill is currently making its way through the legislative process and has an emergency clause attached to it, meaning it will go into effect immediately following the Governor s signature. Donate Life Nebraska is on the Web! web! Donate Life Nebraska has joined the social media wave, and you can now find us on the Follow us on Twitter or become a fan of Donate Life Nebraska on Facebook! We will post organ donation related facts, statistics and upcoming events on these sites in order to keep you better informed. For national news and updates, you can join the Donate Life America group on LinkedIn. Feel free to share your story on these outlets, upload photos of your recent events, and find others in your area whose lives have been changed by organ and tissue donation. 4 Give the Most Precious Gift of All... LIFE!

5 Catching a Second Wind, and a Second Chance at Life Bette O Meara and her husband Bill were enjoying their lives in Kearney, NE with their high school aged daughter Bridget. They owned and operated O Meara Concrete, and enjoyed their full and busy lifestyles. Then in a case of bacterial pneumonia left Bette with just % of her normal lung function. Bette was put on oxygen, and began working with Pulmonologist Dr. Cantral to get put on the lung transplant list in St. Louis, MO. She waited in Kearney until St. Louis was able to take her active on the list, meanwhile another bout of pneumonia left her with just 4% lung function. With a rare blood type, her list time, and outlook were grim. By the fall of 3, Bill and Bette had closed the doors on their concrete business, arranged a full time nanny for their then 6-year-old daughter, said farewell to family and friends, and made the move to St. Louis to await the call. According to Bette, shortly before transplant she weighed just 8 pounds, and the skin on her body was literally falling off, and she was no longer able to feel her fingers and toes due to lack of oxygen. Then in May of 4 the call came in that lungs were available. When a close friend asked her husband Bill if they were ready he replied, This is a win-win situation for us. If Bette doesn t make it, then she ll be in heaven and finally at peace. And if she does survive, then God has more plans for our family, and I ll have Bette. Bette s transplant was number 737 for Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, and they have since transplanted well over patients. Because of her transplant Bette say s she was able to attend her daughters high school and college graduations. She s been able to return to work and now her and Bill mentor other patients waiting for transplants, and she is a member of the Second Wind Organization for transplant recipients based in St. Louis. According to Bette none of her story would be possible if it weren t for her donor Patricia Ann, born February 3rd, 956, and the wonderful staff at the Midwest Transplant Network. Bette has been in contact with her donors daughter and continues to express her sincere gratitude for her transplant. She is forever grateful that she was given a second wind, and a second chance at life. 5

6 Nebraska Organ Recovery System 85 West Center Road Omaha, NE 684 (4) NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA, NE PERMIT NO. 43 Give the Most Precious Gift of All... LIFE! Hospital Donation Statistics Statistics from // through 3/3/ Hospital Organ Tissue Alegent Memorial-Schuyler Blair Memorial Community Hospital BryanLGH-East Medical Center BryanLGH-West Medical Center Cozad Community Hospital Creighton University Medical Center Faith Regional Medical Center Fremont Area Medical Center Genoa Community Hospital Great Plains Regional Medical Center Immanuel Medical Center Lakeside Hospital McCook Community Hospital Mercy Hospital Methodist Health System Methodist Hospice Midlands Hospital Nebraska Medical Center Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center St. Mary s Community Hospital Tri-Valley Health System Total 9 9