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Comment by Karen Weddick on April 9, 2012 at 11:47am

http://www.makers.com/katharine-wolf?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-mai...

Comment by Nulungs95 on March 18, 2012 at 7:17am

Fantastic Story!!

Comment by Karen Weddick on March 18, 2012 at 4:15am

Just a few months shy of hitting 97, Marian Reed-Ellis still has a beautiful smile and — as her doctor recently told her — the legs of a gal 50 years younger.

But neither attribute is what makes this petite, snow-haired Aurora woman so remarkable.

Fact is, it’s her kidney — or lack of one. And you can read all those facts in yellowed magazine and newspaper clips that tout Reed-Ellis as among the first kidney donors in the country — which means she’s possibly the oldest who is still living.

Over the years, Reed-Ellis has had to bury all three of her children who died from kidney failure. But it was her youngest son who lived the longest, by far, thanks to his mother’s gift back in 1964 — when kidney transplants were still in the pioneer stage and risks far greater than they are today.

Advancing age has not faded those bittersweet memories from the still-sharp mind of Reed-Ellis. She and her first husband, Raymond Reed, had two daughters on dialysis when their son Raymond, a small red-headed junior at West Aurora High School who was nicknamed Butch, also began getting ill. He was showing advanced symptoms of what was then known as Bright’s disease, a genetic kidney weakness on her husband’s side of the family.

It became quickly apparent Butch was not responding to dialysis, which at that time was only being done in Chicago. As the teen’s condition rapidly deteriorated, the specialist suggested an experimental surgery performed in only a couple places in the country.

The first kidney transplant involving living patients took place in 1954 at Brigham Hospital in Boston between identical twins. The recipient died eight years later. Back in 1964, only 244 had been performed in the U.S., and only 18 lived longer than 24 months.

Still, as one news article stated, “There is reason for cautious optimism about the future of human organ transplants.” At the time, the surgery was deemed “highly experimental.”

But with their son’s health quickly deteriorating, the Reeds felt they had no choice but to give it a try.

Those old news clippings also showed the Fox Valley community rallying behind the family, who needed $2,000 just to check in to the Denver hospital, as well as funds for the five-month stay. In addition, the Reeds took out a second mortgage. And Butch’s dad, who had already lost two sisters to kidney failure, “worked day and night” to save money.

By the time the family arrived in Denver in November of 1964, Butch’s condition was so critical that his parents were thankful he had even survived the trip. They rented an apartment and settled in for a battery of tests that, among other things, determined mother and son were a perfect match. Records note his surgeons were part of a famed transplant team that also had completed the only liver transplant on record at the time.

“Rare Kidney operation is Performed” read the headlines that followed.

There were complications. Butch, in the hospital two weeks, did fine, but Marian developed blood clots. In April 1965, the family was able to finally return home.

Butch thrived with his mom’s kidney, but oldest sister Judy Reed Glover, still on dialysis, died three years later at age 28. The middle child, Bette Reed Banks, also continued to rely on dialysis as she worked as a secretary at Aurora University. Testing by more family members failed to produce matches; and Bette refused to consider a transplant from non-family after watching others go through the procedures and die.

Marian’s husband died in 1998. And a year later, after losing her mobility and eyesight and barely able to even move, Bette, too, passed away.

“It was a horrible death,” says niece Nancy Forsell. “That took a lot out of Aunt Marian,” who felt guilty she had no spare kidney to give to her daughter.

The organ she donated to her son finally gave out in August 2006. Butch died at age 60, but not before earning a doctorate and carving out a remarkable career working with the deaf. In April, his mom will be in the audience when he is inducted into West Aurora High School’s Wall of Fame.

“Butch always told me, ‘Mom, you gave me the best years of my life.’ ”

Reed-Ellis recalls those words of her son with a smile which, along with those enviable legs and news-making kidney, makes her so special. But it is perhaps her heart that truly defines who she is.

“I’ve never known anyone who lost as much as Marian has,” says Forsell. “But she rarely gets down ... and she always, always, has that smile.”

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/crosby/11262298-418/remarkable-...

Comment by Karen Weddick on March 10, 2012 at 11:08am

Our own Holly Werlein is one of the 12:

 

Twelve Women of 2012’ Inspire Americans to Be Organ & Tissue Donors
Set the Stage for Going Green…and Blue on April 20th

RICHMOND, Va. – Feb. 27, 2012 – Twelve beautiful women whose lives were transformed by organ donation are helping Donate Life America (“DLA”) inspire 20 million people to sign up to be organ and tissue donors this year.

The 12 Inspiring Women of “20 Million in 2012” hail from across the United States and were selected because of their commitment to increasing the number of lives saved through organ and tissue donation.

“A key goal of this campaign is to reach out to young women who didn’t check yes at the DMV when they got their licenses at 16; to ask them to be role models for their friends by signing up today to save lives at DonateLifeAmerica.org,” said Tenaya Wallace, national campaign director of “20 Million in 2012”.

To reach this active and socially connected audience, DLA is highlighting the need for donors through National Donate Life Blue and Green Day on April 20th,when celebrities, stylists, teens, fashionistas, talk show hosts, politicians, and others will be asked to wear blue and green. This is a new element of April’s National Donate Life Month, which brings attention to organ, eye and tissue donation annually.

“The Donate Life colors of sky blue and lime green are stunning together and every spring you see fashions and accessories, even make-up, in these colors,” says Valen Keefer (29, Sacramento), who will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her kidney transplant in August. Valen is a spokesperson for University Kidney Research Organization (UKRO), along with Natalie Cole and Deana Carter, and one of the 12 Inspiring Women of 2012. “During National Donate Life Month, I will be presenting Joan deRyk Jones, the Mayor of Truckee whose DMV office has the highest donor registration rates in California, with a Donate Life scarf and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson with a Donate Life tie so that these mayors can show off their blue and green on April 20th!” Donate Life scarves and ties are available for order at store.donatelife.net.

Amy Tippins (36, Atlanta) celebrated the 19th anniversary of her liver transplant on February 20th. The owner of RockScar Love Designs created a blue and green t-shirt especially for the “20 Million in 2012” campaign that says ‘Real Men are Organ Donors.’ 15-20% of all sales from the clothing line will benefit transplant/organ donation based charities.

“I’ll be sending shirts to some of the biggest heart throbs in Hollywood and asking them to wear the shirts with pride and share photos with their fans to show off their Donate Life Blue and Green on April 20th” Amy announced. “Justin Bieber’s simple tweet led to a huge increase in online registrations in Canada, especially amongst Bieber’s female fans, and Tom Brady’s vocal support for his mentor, Tom Martinez, who died waiting for a kidney transplant, has gotten people talking about organ donation.”

Because of the way information about drivers is collected by state motor vehicle departments it is impossible to obtain national data about the percentage of first time drivers who do check yes but Donate Life America has identified this group as critical to increasing donor registration.

Holly Werlein (27, Grand Rapids), a liver recipient, entrepreneur, planning board member for the Transplant Games of America and one of the 12 Women of 2012, knows firsthand the importance of bringing donor awareness to first-time drivers.

“I have done dozens of high school presentations and I see the light go on for the teens when I am telling them my story about how a liver transplant saved my life,” says Werlein. “Young people want to do something important with their lives and they want to help, so being organ donors just makes sense to them. They just need information, inspiration and to know they can go online to sign up today!” Werlein has created a line of blue and green clothing through her Holdol Wear brand with a portion of proceeds going to Donate Life America.

You can show off your Donate Life Blue and Green by putting together a blue and green look and posting a photo on the Donate Life America Facebook page and your personal page on April 20th. The top 10 looks will win a $100 gift card from Donate Life America. The 12 Inspiring Women of 2012 are all planning unique ways to bring blue and green to life around the nation.

“I am hosting a blue and green party at Manny’s Steakhouse at the W Hotel Minneapolis – The Forshay,” says Nina Astor (42, Minneapolis), the mother of a 16-month-old organ donor who has gone on to create a blog called www.TheSparkleTheory.com that helps women find joy every day. She and her teenage daughter Morgan are part of the 12 Inspiring Women of 2012. “UV Vodka is creating blue and green drinks for the event. The blue drink will be a Q-tini named for my son Quentin who had incredible blue eyes.”

Jessica Melore’s new heart lets her work for her cause and help save lives as the Senior Education and Programs Manager for the NJ Sharing Network, the organ recovery agency serving northern New Jersey. Jessica (30, New York City), says “We’re integrating blue and green at every level of our outreach partnerships. Motor Vehicle employees are hosting blue and green events for customers at their agencies —a critical point of contact where 98% of people say “Yes” to donation. We’re planning campaigns in our hospitals, high schools, and colleges, and many companies and legislators are planning to get involved as well. It’s so exciting and moving to see this much enthusiasm to promote this life-saving message that will help save more lives like mine.”

Meet the other 12 Inspiring Women of “20 Million in 2012”:

Ann Lopez, living kidney donor to actor and comedian George Lopez, and their daughter Mayan join the 12 Inspiring Women of 20 Million in 2012. Mayan turns 16 this year and will be receiving her driver’s license in the fall. Ann and Mayan will be working together to share the importance of signing up as an organ donor with mothers and their teenage children.

Leiauna Anderson (38, Los Angeles), was a special education teacher pregnant with her first child when her liver ruptured. Two liver transplants within the following week – one non-compatible but buying precious time – saved her life. Thanks to the gifts she received from strangers and a surrogate carrier, Leiauna and her husband were able to realize their dream of becoming parents with the arrival of son Rex in 2008.

The recipient of two liver transplants since age two, Vicky Nguyen (27) is thankful to live an active Southern California lifestyle that includes giving back as a Family Pal and Cabin Counselor at The Painted Turtle, a camp for seriously ill children. She also serves as a Donate Life Rose Parade Float decorating supervisor, a mentor to 2 liver transplant teenagers, and is a member of both the Transplant Recipients International Organization and the American Liver Foundation.

Wendy Rodgers (39, Los Angeles) is a 12-year lupus survivor and received a kidney transplant on the 12th day of May in 2009, which was Mother’s Day. Wendy is an advocate for the Lupus Foundation and featured in the Ad Council’s lupus awareness campaign ads and lives in Los Angeles.

Shari Kurzrok Schnall (New York City) was in the fight of her life after her liver failed unexpectedly from a rare genetic condition called Wilson’s Disease. While she waited for a liver to become available, she made a promise to use her personal experience to raise awareness and educate others about organ donation so that people can make informed decisions about becoming organ donors. Now she volunteers for the New York Organ Donor Network and raises funds for donor education through the Shari Kurzrok Second Chance for Life Foundation.

For more information about the “20 Million in 2012” campaign, a complete list of the 12 Inspiring Women of 12 and to register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, visit www.DonateLifeAmerica.org.

Comment by Karen Weddick on May 13, 2011 at 2:01pm

The NKF has suspended the 2012 U.S. Transplant Games.

 

NKF SUSPENDS U.S. TRANSPLANT GAMES IN 2012

WilI Re-Examine Model in Light of Economic Conditions,

Programs to Encourage Organ Donation Continue.

The National Kidney Foundation will not be hosting the U.S. Transplant Games in 2012.

"For 20 years," says NKF CEO John Davis, "the NKF U.S. Transplant Games have educated the public about the life-saving power of organ donation and dramatically demonstrated that those with transplants can and do lead normal and active lives. But the Games represent a multi-million dollar expense for the foundation," he explains, "that also requires a significant commitment of staff resources."

"Now," Davis says, "when most Americans view transplantation as almost routine surgery that restores life, we will re-examine the format and financial structure of the Games, to achieve maximum impact and to ensure sustainability going forward. As always, we will work with a range of constituents and supporters to accomplish this. "

Since 1990, the biennial Olympic-style event has served to showcase the success of transplantation, promote health and fitness for transplant recipients and recognize and honor donor families and living donors.

"We want to thank the thousands of transplant athletes, living donors, donor families, medical professionals, supportive family members and volunteers who have worked so hard to make the NKF U.S. Transplant Games so successful over the years," says NKF Senior Vice President for Programs Gigi Politoski.

"Special thanks to dozens of corporate sponsors for their support of the Games and our athletes. We could not have conducted the U.S. Transplant Games for

20 years without their generosity and enthusiasm and look forward to their continuing participation and partnership as we explore ways to restructure the Games."

NKF will continue to direct its resources to helping ensure that every American who needs a transplant receives one. NKF’s far-reaching

In addition to

For complete information about donation and transplantation please visit www.kidney.org/transplantation/. To participate in NKF’s on-going programs and services, click here.

END THE WAIT! initiative offers a comprehensive action plan to address the shortage of available kidneys for transplant and to end the wait for those on the list by instituting best practices across the country and eliminating barriers to organ donation. END THE WAIT!, NKF will continue to offer print and on-line publications and other resources for transplant recipients, donor families and living donors. A full range of educational materials can be found on the NKF website – www.kidney.org. Perspective living donors, transplant recipients, and donor families can also access the NKF Cares patient information help line.

Comment by M.Arshad Minhas on March 20, 2010 at 1:22pm

ISLAMABAD: After signing the 2010 Human Organ Transplant bill, President Zardari announced that his body parts will be donated to the cause of organ transplantation.


President Asif Ali Zardari has become the first president of Pakistan to ever donate his whole body after his death to needful patients.



In his speech, he also assured the nation that the government will fulfill all his promises to the cause. - DawnNews

This all happened just because of the efforts of Prof. Dr. Adibul Hassan Rizvi, Director SIUT and his team's endless efforts.

We salute them all.

Comment by Zach Brooks on September 1, 2009 at 2:46pm

http://www.worldkidneyday.org/

Comment by Zach Brooks on September 1, 2009 at 2:46pm

Last year I worked with a group to get the Los Angeles City Council to proclaim last year, World Kidney Day. Marie-Agnes is right. World Kidney Day is an important event. Try to volunteer in your area. As a group. we only a few of these events annually to truly make an impact on how people see other people with kidney disease and transplantation issues.

Comment by Marie-Agnes Cederborg on September 1, 2009 at 8:20am

Too many people ignore the close inter-relation between kidney diseases and diabetes or hypertension. Worldwide, 246 million people suffer from diabetes and the figure is expected to reach 380 million by 2025. Diabetic nephropathy affects a third of people suffering from diabetes. Sadly, less than half people diagnosed with diabetes undergo a screening test.
Next Word Kidney Day will be held on Thursday 11 March 2010 and will focus on Diabetes, the leading cause of kidney failure.

World Kidney Day offers a crucial, visible opportunity to inform and educate health policy-makers, people who are at highest risk of CKD, and the general public that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.

Join our World Kidney Day 2010 group and come to exchange your experience and ideas that could be proposed to World Kidney Day organisers over the world.

The success of World Kidney Day across the world is only possible because of each of you!

Comment by Karen Weddick on April 7, 2009 at 5:08pm

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