Be sure to visit the 23rd annual Great Salt Lake Truck Show at Thanksgiving Point August 10 & p; 11! Proceeds from the event sponsor the Family Kidney Kamp at Aspen Grove. If you love big rigs and collector cars–don’t miss the show.
http://www.saltlaketruckshow.com/
http://www.saltlaketruckshow.com/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-spry-md-facp/facebook-organ-donor-_b_1470518.html
Last week I wrote about what’s involved in matching donor kidneys with recipients. While the checklist I reviewed is used each time there’s a potential match, the problem remains that there aren’t enough organs to go around. Unfortunately, not everyone will even make it to the “matching” point in the transplant process.
In the U.S., 18 people die every day while waiting for a life-saving transplant. There are more than 114,000 people waiting for organs, and more than 80 percent of them are waiting for kidneys.
I feel the need to really drive this message home in light of this week’s Facebook announcement. In case you missed it, Facebook has now created a way for users to designate their organ donor status online through the Health and Wellness profile feature of the new Timeline. The National Kidney Foundation is encouraging people to use this profile feature to share their commitment to being an organ donor with friends and family. Once you have identified yourself as a Facebook organ donor, you can visit the Donate Life America website to choose your state of residence and learn more about the donation options in your area.
There is a great willingness and openness to share information about ourselves with those around us. From the mundane to the meaningful, Facebook has created a vehicle for more than 900 million to share personal information, offering an online window into our everyday lives — relationships, hobbies, interests, and even intimate thoughts and beliefs. Now there’s also an opportunity for people to share their wishes about organ donation in life and death.
Harnessing the power of social media for any social good is to be commended, and the issue of organ donation is near and dear to my heart (and kidneys). Hopefully, starting this conversation between family and friends on Facebook will make those who never thought about it begin to consider giving the gift of life. Collectively, we can make a difference and save thousands of lives.
If you’re still unsure, learn the facts. Organ donation doesn’t need to be a scary topic — find out more:
•Organ donors can range in age from newborn to over 65 years of age.
•Six solid organs can be donated: kidneys, lungs, liver, pancreas, heart and intestines. Even the corneas, bones, tendons, skin and heart valves of a deceased donor can be transplanted and if desired, a donor can specify which organs and tissues are to be donated.
•Living donors can donate a kidney, part of the liver and bone marrow.
•A deceased donor can save the lives of up to eight people!
•Organ and tissue donation are not even considered until all possible efforts to save a person’s life have been exhausted.
•Most religions throughout the world support organ and tissue donation and consider it the ultimate humanitarian act. If you are concerned, check with your religious leader.
•Open casket funerals are still possible if you are an organ donor.
Once you’ve made the decision to donate, designating it on your driver’s license, joining your state registry, and signing a donor card are all ways to document your wishes about donation. Letting your family or other loved ones know about your decision is equally important. That’s because family members are often asked to give consent for a loved one’s donation, so it’s important that they know your wishes.
This week, I’ll leave you with a question: What’s your status?
Next time you post an update on Facebook, I challenge you to think about your status in the context of being an organ donor.
Have additional questions about donation and transplantation? Read more frequently asked questions surrounding organ and tissue donation and check out the National Kidney Foundation’s END THE WAIT! initiative designed to increase organ donation and reduce the amount of time people spend on the waiting list.
For more by Leslie Spry, M.D., FACP, click here.
For more health news, click here.
After 7 months of bed-rest, large amounts of hydrotherapy + herbal remedies (in hope for that which was deemed impossible), and many uncomfortable doctor’s appointments our little guy decided he was ready to be born (via c-section + 6 weeks early) on November 8th, 2011. His name is Bridger David.
We knew from very early on in our pregnancy our precious boy only had one kidney. He had little to no fluid the entire pregnancy, but did just what he was supposed to with the little amount that he had by keeping it in his mouth to develop his lungs. We discovered at birth that his one kidney was nonfunctional. We were sent to Phoenix Children’s Hospital where we began dialysis and the long journey toward our perfect boy eventually receiving a kidney from either me or my husband.
Our strong and courageous boy did very well on dialysis. He surprised every great doctor and proved to every unfaithful doctor that the word never- should never be used!
We were told we wouldn’t make it to 34 weeks in pregnancy (which is what is required for dialysis to even be an option). We made it to 34 weeks and 4 days. We hit the 34 week mark on my Birthday; it was the best gift I have ever received- besides Bridger himself.
We were told he wouldn’t make it out of the delivery room. He did.
We were told he would never get off oxygen. He did.
We were told he wouldn’t stop leaking from his dialysis entry site. He did.
We were told that we would never see him smile. He LAUGHED with us!
He set out to fulfill a purpose…a perfect purpose. He knew what he wanted to do and he never let the ignorant nor the unfaithful stop him. He did not need approval, he already knew just right who he was and exactly how we felt about him as our son, and most importantly how God felt about him as His son. He is nothing less than a miracle- he is Our Little Miracle…
He beat every odd that was ever placed before him, and he did it quietly, courageously, and with a very contagious smile on his face…
On March, 8th, 2012 Our Little Miracle was unexpectedly and peacefully called to heaven, but he waited until he was in my arms, and holding his Daddy’s fingers. These were the most spiritual and heartbreaking moments of my life. My husband and I were fortunate to be surrounded by great nurses and doctors that day who we already considered family. Many of our close friends (some of which are Bridger’s nurses) came to sit with us during those dark hours following his passing, and our great family headed into town at a moment’s notice.
Bridger touched more lives than we will ever know, and he will continue to do so with this foundation. He humbly taught others the meaning of strength and courage (which he emulated his entire life on earth), inspired all who knew him to rise above adversity, helped many believe in miracles, and showed us by example what it means to know your purpose and joyfully fulfill it.
He is the soul center of our universe. We believe in him, we know he is with us, and we know he will always be our perfect little miracle boy for all of eternity. We will continue to fight for him and fight for others, and we will shower him and his name with faith and love every step of the way.
All my hope, love, and support,
A. Baer, Mommy of The Little Miracle
Riders of all ages and all levels welcome!
Sign up today at: http://www.spinderellaride.com
When you donate your car to Kidney Kars, these are some of the people you help! Thank you!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-spry-md-facp/kidney-health_b_1391565.html
Leslie Spry, M.D., FACP
National Kidney Foundation spokesperson; medical director, Dialysis Center of Lincoln, Neb.
EASTER EGG HUNT/PARADE
Friday, April 6 – 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Library Square Downtown (the Donor Monument)
210 East 400 South, SLC – Parking is $1/hour
For all dialysis & transplant patients & their families!
Lunch, Easter egg hunt,
Music, & Easter Bunny
Prizes will be given for: Best Easter Basket, Best Easter Bonnet, Craziest Socks!
Kidney Friends in Ogden, Utah!
