http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift en lfrnka@lifegift.org Copyright 2012 2012-02-17T21:33:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/setting_an_example_for_others/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/setting_an_example_for_others/#When:20:33:00Z Fort Worth donor demonstrates the true meaning of "generosity" The past couple of days, I've had the distinct honor and privelege to talk to Rob Heidemann, father of Fort Worth area donor, Ian Heidemann.  I hate it that we get to meet some of the most wonderful people in the world during their darkest hour, but it is during their darkest hour when their true colors and vulnerabilities come shining through.  It's an incredible thing to witness. I did not know Ian; I did not know his family, but as someone who -- everyday -- is encouraging people to make the decision to be registered donor, I am proud of this young man for taking this step. He not only helped to restore a man's life, but he saved mutliple lives through the donation of his organs and touched many, many more through his donation of tissue. And he gave someone the gift of sight through the donation of his corneas -- what a beautiful, precious gift! When I spoke to his father this morning, he shared with me that because Ian's decision to be a registered donor was publicized, many of his friends, roommates, etc. made the decision to sign up as registered donors.  WHAT AN EXAMPLE IAN IS TO OTHERS!  And even though the story is dying down and he will be laid to rest tomorrow, HIS LEGACY WILL CONTINUE FOR YEARS.  His lifesaving and life-enhancing gifts will have a ripple effect and his purpose for being on this earth will be revealed through perfect strangers. If you are not a registered donor, please consider it.  It takes five minutes out of your day ... if that.  Take that step.  Be an example.  Share life.   News Center, Lifegift Blog 2012-02-17T20:33:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/25_things_i_can_do_since_my_transplant/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/25_things_i_can_do_since_my_transplant/#When:20:15:00Z Transplants return people to their neighborhoods, schools and communities and enable them to carry on productive lives. Thanks to the generousity of donors, people like Claudia, have a new lease on life.  25 Things I Can Do Since My Transplant By Claudia Reyes, Vital Volunteer and Kidney Recipient 1.    Peeing!!!  What a wonderful feeling!!!! 2.    Freedom of not being tied up to a machine three times a week for dialysis 3.    I can drink as much water as I want 4.    I can drink milk 5.    I can eat ice cream and enjoy snow cones 6.    I can drink Coke and Dr. Pepper 7.    I can eat tomatoes and baked potatoes 8.    I can enjoy fruit again, particularly peaches and bananas 9.    I can eat PIZZA 10.  I can eat popcorn with butter and salt 11.  I can eat cheese nachos, soups and salads 12.  I can enjoy whole grain bread and nuts 13.  I can travel spontaneously 14.  I feel more energized 15.  No more needles 16.  I can spend less time in bed 17.  I enjoy walking 18.  NO MORE THIRST! 19.  Quenching my thirst – it’s an awesome feeling. 20.  Doing 21.  Going 22.  Eating 23.  Going out with friends 24.  I can volunteer for LifeGift 25.  ENJOYING LIFE WITHOUT LIMITATIONS! News Center, Lifegift Blog 2012-01-05T20:15:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/25_things_i_love_about_lifegift/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/25_things_i_love_about_lifegift/#When:15:38:00Z LifeGift is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012. Please watch for special blog postings about our 25th anniversary all year long. The first one was submitted by donor mother and Vital Volunteer Shannon Lenox on the 25 things she loves about LifeGift!25 things I love about LifeGift By Shannon Lenox: Donor Mother and Vital Volunteer My story starts on March 29, 2010, when I received the phone no parent ever wants to receive.  I was told that my son had been in an accident was taken via helicopter to the hospital. My son, Roy, would never recover from this accident, and we made the decision for him to become an organ donor to save the lives of others.    Eight months after Roy’s passing, I quit my job to volunteer for LifeGift and be an advocate for organ and tissue donation.  Here are 25 things I love about LifeGift.  1.         The employees 2.         The professionalism of the staff 3.         The support they give to the donor families 4.         The way they advocate for recipients and their families 5.         The Vital Volunteer Program 6.         The Donor Family Services Department and the work done to help donor families and recipients communicate with one another 7.         The Donor Resource Center, a 24/7 lifeline for organ and tissue donation. 8.         The Communications Department, which works tirelessly to spread the word about donation and to help educate people and dispel the myths surrounding donation 9.         The Clinical Operations Department, which works to facilitate the donation process and offers support to families during difficult times 10.    The Donor Medal Ceremony to pay tribute to donors and their families. 11.    The Workplace Partner Program 12.     The Candle Lighting Ceremony, which allows families to come and light a candle in honor of their loved one  13.     The quilt squares that are given to donor families as a way to honor their loved one 14.    The LifeGift Board of Directors 15.    The  LifeGift Facebook pages 16.    The LifeGift Vital Volunteer Facebook Page 17.    The Life Lines blog 18.    The opportunities that LifeGift gives to donor families and  recipients to speak on behalf of LifeGift and the importance of donation 19.    The community events that volunteers are invited to be a part of in order to educate about donation 20.     The opportunity I was given to represent LifeGift at the National Donor Recognition Ceremony and Workshop in Washington D.C. 21.    The memory box that is sent to all donor families. 22.    The cards LifeGift sends to donor families during their first year of loss 23.    For the pleasure of getting to meet such awesome people who love what they do 24.    For working with a wonderful team 25.    For the support of my blanket ministry.  Without the help of LifeGift and President and CEO, Sam Holtzman, “It’s a Heck of a Blanket” would not be able to support donor familie News Center, Lifegift Blog 2012-01-03T15:38:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/the_ultimate_christmas_gift/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/the_ultimate_christmas_gift/#When:19:25:00Z Vital Volunteer celebrating one-year anniversary with new lungs on Christmas Day Vital Volunteer Twana Schulz was diagnosed with a very rare disease called pulmonary hypertension in December of 2009. Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the lungs, which causes the heart to work harder, enlarging it until it goes into heart failure. Doctors told Twana that her only hope for survival would be a double lung transplant. Twana’s prognosis continued to grow darker and the thought of not spending another Christmas with her family seemed like a real possibility. On Christmas Eve 2010, Twana’s family and her pastor were about to sit down for dinner when Twana received a phone call from The Methodist Hospital.  She started to shake and told everyone, “I think this is the call!”  Sure enough, she was told to get to the hospital immediately because she was a backup for a lung transplant.  Her donor gave her the ultimate Christmas gift – the gift of life. Twana’s family calls it a Christmas miracle. Twana was one of the fortunate ones.  She now gets the opportunity to spend Christmas with her family, healthy and happy.  More than 113,000 Americans are not so lucky – they are waiting for the call that will save their life.  Of those 113,000, nearly 3,000 are Houstonians.  Every day, 18 people die due to organ failure. This holiday season, remember that life is a gift.  Pass it on. Register to be an organ and tissue donor today at www.donatelifetexas.org. News Center, Lifegift Blog 2011-12-19T19:25:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/the_gift_of_live_reunion1/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/the_gift_of_live_reunion1/#When:16:26:00Z 2011-12-05T16:26:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/city_of_houston_mayors_hispanic_youth_activist_of_the_year_receives_gift_of/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/city_of_houston_mayors_hispanic_youth_activist_of_the_year_receives_gift_of/#When:13:43:00Z 2011-09-20T13:43:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/nick_news_presents_gift_of_life/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/nick_news_presents_gift_of_life/#When:20:46:00Z Kids need organs, too! Nick News recently did a feature on kids and organ donation.  The families of two LifeGift Vital Volunteers were highlighted.  Please take a moment and watch these inspiring stories! http://www.nick.com/videos/clip/nick-news-the-gift-of-life-full-episode.html       News Center, Lifegift Blog 2011-09-19T20:46:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/a_tribute_to_dallas_foster/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/a_tribute_to_dallas_foster/#When:20:24:00Z This week LifeGift lost a member of its family with the passing of Dallas Foster.  For those of you who knew Dallas, you know he personified the phrase "living life to the fullest" and lived every day as if it were his last. His passion for organ and tissue donation was beyond words.  He promoted the cause wherever and whenever he could.  He was an icon in the LifeGift community -- everyone knew who Dallas Foster was. He never knew a stranger. His commitment to the Vital Volunteer program at LifeGift was absolutely outstanding and his contributions many. When he died on Sunday, the earth lost a wonderful man and heaven gained a beautiful and joyous soul. He will definitely leave a void for not only LifeGift and his fellow volunteers, but for the many others who called him "friend."  And boy, did he have a lot of them! The world is a better place for having Dallas in it and the human beings that knew him will forever be touched. We will miss you, Dallas.  You set the example for so many on how to live -- not just for transplant recipients, but for all of us.  We love you and will always remember your kindness and generousity. Rest in peace, friend.       News Center, Lifegift Blog 2011-08-18T20:24:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/looking_back_almost_25_years/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/looking_back_almost_25_years/#When:14:57:00Z Next year, LifeGift will celebrate its 25 years.  I've been going through old calendars, newsletters and annual reports to put together a PR campaign for next year. It's been so interesting to see how much LifeGift has evolved over the past 24 years and what a significant role the organization has played in donation -- locally, regionally and nationally.  The organization has an impressive resume and continues to push the envelope when it comes to improving donation and saving lives.  LifeGift pioneered many of the best practices that organ procurement organizations across the country have since adopted, like the in-house coordinator program that was developed in 1995.  The in-house coordinators (now called family care specialists) are integrated into donor hospitals and become extensions of the team. They are crucial to the donation process as they are the ones trained to approach families about the option of donation when a loved one passes away. As I've been going back through the old materials, I've also observed what LifeGift has done on the legislative front to push donation and garner support from our state decision-makers. LifeGift has been instrumental in changing laws that govern medical examiners and donation as well as giving Texans the right to exercise their decision to be a registered organ, eye and tissue donors.  And now, as we approach the 25th anniversary of LifeGift, the three organ procurement organizations will operate the Donate Life - Texas Registry, which will have a significant impact on donation in the state of Texas.  I can't wait to see what will happen next -- both from a professional and personal standpoint. I'm really proud to be part of an organization with such a rich history and leadership that others in the industry look up to, admire and want to emulate. I'm looking forward to unfolding our 25th anniversary plan so that the communities we serve will be able to share in that pride. Much more to come!  It's time to celebrate 25 years of saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation! Submitted by Laura Frnka   News Center, Lifegift Blog 2011-08-11T14:57:00-06:00 http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/listening_to_gods_whispers/ http://www.lifegift.org/lifegift/site/listening_to_gods_whispers/#When:21:54:00Z Last week I had the opportunity to attend the national Donate Life America conference in Denver.  It came at a really good time for me.  I needed to be reminded of just how special my job is -- it's not everyday you can go to work saying that you are responsible for saving and enhancing lives, but also helping people through their grieving process.  The last day of the DLA conference, we were introduced to a donor mother , Rochelle, who lost not one, not two, but three of her children in a house fire. They were all very young -- the youngest just barely a year. While I'm not a mother, I could not comprehend what she was telling us.  Three children?  I could not imagine the intense pain and suffering that family went through.  Three young, promising, innocent lives ... lost.  I have five precious nieces and nephews -- I can't imagine losing one of them, let alone three.  Heart wrenching. Rochelle's youngest baby went onto be an organ donor.  She was able to donate her heart, several other organs and her eyes.  The way Rochelle told her story was beautiful -- it was poetic.  She explained to us how God spoke to her -- how she heard His voice telling her that "everything was going to be OK" despite the fact that the world she had once known -- safe, secure and happy -- had just been turned upside down in an instance.  She listened to God, who had bigger plans for her child -- plans for her to give the greatest gift one could ever give on this earth: the gift of life.  Throughout her speech, she referred to God's handprints and His gentle whispers ... she painted a mental picture for me that I will never forget.    I'm always in awe listening to donor families tell their stories. Sometimes I cry with them and sometimes I just listen -- mesmerized by their strength and courage.  I listened intently to Rochelle as she shared the tragic accounts of what happened to her three precious angels when they went to be with God.  I will never forget how incredibly strong she was ... could I ever be that strong when faced with similar circumstances? Like many of our Vital Volunteers at LifeGift, Rochelle has become an advocate for donation. She is on the Board of Directors for Donate Life America.  She is an amazing donor champion and tells her story so eloquently.  The opportunities we provide for donor families to get involved is a healing mechanism for them.  It is a way for them to help process their grief and see a ray of sunshine of their darkest moments. Because she was not afraid to listen to the gentle whispers of God, her child did not die in vain.  She left a legacy that can be shared for years to come. Do youlisten when God is speaking to you? Submitted by Laura Frnka News Center, Lifegift Blog 2011-06-22T21:54:00-06:00