A Quarterly Newsletter of LifeShare Of The Carolinas

VOLUME 15

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ISSUE 4

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WINTER 2012

IN THIS ISSUE:

1 A Christmas Story

3 There’s Lots to Be ThankfulFor This Holiday Season

4 We Remember Them:Organ, Eye and TissueDonor Recognition

6 Area Hospitals WinMedals for Excellence

7 Donor Statistics byHospital

8 Happy Holidays

A Donate Life Organization

A Christmas StoryTHIS IS A LOVE STORY. IT WAS RELAYED BY TOM ASPENWALL, A FIVE-YEAR HEART

TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT AND A VALUED MEMBER OF LIFESHARE’S FAMILY SUPPORT

STAFF. THE STORY IS ABOUT A 30 YEAR-OLD LOAN OFFICER AND HER BOYFRIEND.

Tom says it should be made into a movie. He should know. He was involved from

beginning to end. The scene opened early afternoon last April when Brandy was

flown to Carolinas Medical Center from an outlying hospital.

She had suffered a massive head bleed caused by a deadly form of diabetes. Her

prognosis was not good. Tom was on call that day and assigned to support her family.

Brandy had two sisters who were also in banking who lived in the eastern part of

North Carolina. Her parents lived in a neighboring state. With a young daughter himself,

Tom instantly related to this family—even Brandy’s fiancée, Jeremy.

By late that afternoon, the doctors had declared Brandy brain-dead. Soon after,

her sisters arrived. Next came her mother who signed the form making Brandy an

organ donor. A short time later, her father arrived. Everyone gathered in Brandy’s

room in shock, praying and leaning on each other for comfort.

Jeremy asked Tom if he would do him a favor. “Of course”, Tom, said. Recognizing

he was too upset to drive, Jeremy asked Tom if he would take him someplace. He told

Tom he had promised Brandy something and he needed to take care of it before it

was too late.

It turned out that Jeremy wanted Tom to take him to the jewelry store. There he

purchased a ring for Brandy he’d already put in the lay-away—an engagement ring.

Nervously, he returned to the hospital and with her entire family present, Jeremy

proposed and placed the ring on Brandy’s finger.

2 L I F E S H A R E O F T H E C A R O L I N A S

LifeShareOf The Carolinas

1-800-932-GIVE

www.lifesharecarolinas.org

Editor

Debbie Gibbs

Associate Editor

Gary Burris

O U R M I S S I O N

To improve the quality of human

life through the provision of organs

and tissues for transplantation and

to serve our hospitals and their

respective communities by providing

educational and support services

which enhance the donation process.

OU R V I S I O N

We envision a day when the regional

supply of transplantable organs

and tissues will satisfy the demand.

A Christmas Story continued

Tom said tearfully, “This is a Hallmark movie.

You can’t make this stuff up. It’s a love story. Life

goes on. Even more, life goes on.”

As the hours clicked by, Tom was still with the

family when it was finally time to take Brandy for

the organ recovery. As she was wheeled to the

operating room, Jeremy and each of the family

members leaned over to give her a final kiss

goodbye.

Our Organ Recovery Team had worked to

identify the patients who would receive the

generous gift of life from Brandy. Six of her

organs were transplanted and five lives were

saved. One of the patients was a young mother.

Brandy’s story didn’t end that fateful day. Last

summer, Jeremy laced up his tennis shoes and joined members of Brandy’s family in

a charity walk at one of the local parks. They called themselves Team Brandy.

This winter, because of Brandy, all five transplant recipients will get to celebrate

the holidays with their families. We trust that as they are sitting around the dining

room table or trimming the tree, they will think of the young woman who literally

gave them a second chance at life.

Back to Tom. Tears welled up in his eyes as he told our staff about Brandy and her

family. It was a gentle reminder to all of us about the importance of what we do and

the lives that we touch.

To quote Boomer Esiason with CBS Sports,“Lives continue to be saved because of thegreat work of the people of LifeShare OfThe Carolinas.”

When Boomer spoke those famous words three years ago in connection with the

Chris Henry story, he couldn’t have known how true they really are and that without

donor families there would be no LifeShare.

To Brandy’s family and all of the donor families we have touched this year, we

dedicate this issue of our newsletter. We wish each of you the peace, happiness and

blessings of the holiday season.

In keeping with federal privacy laws, the names of Brandy and Jeremy have been

changed. The family knows who they are.

Tom Aspenwall

3

Number of Candidates on theNational Transplant Waiting List

Kidney 94,566

Liver 15,970

Pancreas 1,209

Kidney-Pancreas 2,147

Heart 3,383

Lung 1,611

Heart-Lung 49

Intestine 257

NATIONAL TOTAL 116,447

North Carolina 3,534

South Carolina 962

Based on OPTN data as of November 23, 2012.

W I N T E R I S S U E – 2 0 1 2

A couple of years ago we reported on two donor families from our area who were

tragically touched by tissue donation—the Autry’s and the Brooks. In the event you

are wondering what even happened to them, we are happy to report good news.

Cheri and Keith Autry had a new baby boy in April, 2012. Austin is doing well and

they are very much looking forward to celebrating the holidays with him. The same

for Kip and Shannon Brooks. Their baby,

Lincoln Isaiah, was born healthy and

happy in March.

You may recall that the Charlotte

Observer did a series of stories on the

Brooks following Shannon’s pregnancy

which they knew was not going to have

a positive outcome. Little Skylar Brooks

lived 99 minutes after birth and so it

was that the Observer named the series,

99 Minutes.

The Observer reported because of Shannon and Kip, we have changed our policy

and begun offering tissue donation where appropriate to all parents of dying infants.

Because of Skylar, parents of anencephalic babies will no longer be told that donation is

out of the question. The Autry’s were among the first to lose a baby under the new

policy when they received a grave prognosis for their baby, Nataly.

Cytonet, a Durham company, offers a therapy where hepatocytes are taken from

the livers of babies and infused into newborns and other young children suffering

from genetic liver defects. The company actually created a video in honor of the Autry’s

baby, Nataly. It is available on their web site at www.cytonetllc.com.

Please join us in congratulating these courageous two families on the birth of their

baby boys. We sincerely hope that they will have a joyous holiday season. You too!

There’s Lots to Be Thankfulfor This Holiday Season

CALENDARof events

December 7, 2012Symposium for Healthcare

Workers

Gaston Memorial Hospital

Gastonia, NC

January 1, 2013Donate Life Float

Rose Parade

TV Stations Nationwide

Check your local TV listings

January, 2013LifeShare Launches new web site

www.lifesharecarolinas.org

April 2013National Donate Life Month

Nationwide

Please join us in

congratulating these

courageous families

on the birth of their

baby boys.

Kip, Jadon and Shannon Brooks welcome Lincoln Isaiah, the newest addition to the family ina beautiful family photo.

4 L I F E S H A R E O F T H E C A R O L I N A S

Donation makes Michael Lorenzo Larry Luciano Robert Mary Lori Lance Rickey Robert Alicia

Andree David Thomas Brett Star Nancy Johnny John Charles Lee Brandon Ro

Patricia Kiael Amanda Martha Lloyd Bruce Gary David Loretta Cynthia Gail R

David Edward James Richard Jorge-Roberto John James Alexander William

Christopher Patricia Shirley Michael Elizabeth Mary James Jack Brian Delore

Bridget Melissa Hershel Gregory Lori Crystal Ty Joyce Ray Manuel Jessi Susa

Java Donna Harley Donna Laddy Brian David Walter John Charles Gail Micha

David Larry George Mary Frances Robert Charles Timothy Emory Billy Gerald

Amber Kimberly Terry John Vickie Paul Marvin Wyndham Ainsley Tammy Kat

Fredrick Wesley Franklin Paula Dennis Paul Susan Jack Christopher Jay Domin

Susan Julie Kathy Erma Susan Gilbert Richard Maria JC Eugene Larry Mart

Michael Kenneth Jessica Birdsall Katherine Juanita Ronald Teddy Samuel Je

Martha Bradford Johnny Margaret Eric Lauren Mardrickus Gregory Michael J

George Janice Jorge Daniel James Donald Jamar Shaquille Melinda Clifford

Clarence Mark Angela Quinton Douglas James Nevaeh Fred James Coy Robert

Clifford Charles John Robert Otis Lester Jennifer Jerry Kaiden William Samue

Carol George Jim Carmen Michelle Robert Perry Geoffrey Sarah Lewis Ralp

Rhonda Dawn Sharon Richard Thomas Roddy Lenora William Robert Carla J

James Jacqueline Kathy James David Perry Jane John Carey Sherri Alex Ad

Donald Polly Paul Robert Barry Julia Wayne Paula Lonnie Dwayne Judy Jeff

Ricky Rita Bernardo Bobby Alexander Emanee Kelly Betty James Terry Steven

James Roxie Ray Kevin Elisabeth Kimberly James Damarrio John Ronald Rh

Brittany Larry Julie David Deanna Ronnie Maria Charles Martha Gregory Phillip

Ryan Charles Charles Ashley Katherine Patricia Sharon Kenneth Terri Allen

Dequarius Aaron Crystal Michael Kristi Roy Frances Colin Carol Anthony Jam

Michael Shannon Thomas William James Crystal James Sonia Jon Joshua

WE REMEMBER THEM: THE ORGAN, EYE AND TISSUE DO

* The names listed here are from November 1, 2011 through October 31, 2012. Donors after this date will be included in next year’s Winter newsletter.

5W I N T E R I S S U E – 2 0 1 2

s it all possible! a Frances Danie Kenneth Collin Thomas Ike Jerry Judy Robert Willet Orville

bert Myrtle Richard David William Dwayne Bobby Daniel Roger Patricia Phillip

onald Ardis Ronald Russell Larry Shirley Donald Chastity Andrew Robert John

Myrna Donald Jerome Peggy Tracy Miguel James Sylvia Gayle Dale Kimsey

es Jason Tony Malvin Charles Elioberto Alexis Raymond Gary Janice Rodney

n Stephanie Alan Franklin Diana Carolyn William Carol Robert Rhonda Ruth

ael Shirley James Virgil Luther Vincent Shirley Angela Nellie Howard Antonio

Patricia Brandon Michael Donald Donald Daniel Elaine Kenneth Jeffrey Jimmy

thleen Blanca William Carolyn James Judith Linda Robert Arnold Derek Jared

nick James Jimmy Virginia Joseph Allen Delores Terry Michael Robin Raymond

tha Melody Joseph Shirley David Ronnie Warren Sandra Jocelyn Vicki Clad

rry Christina Jeffery William Deborah Richard Tommy Linda Deborah Shade

Jaime Matthew Nichole Haskell Roger Martha Gary Merri-Jo Richard Kathy

Philip William Charles Lillie Juan Robert Cathy James Seth Tyler Renee Terry

t Joshua Bradford Paul Margaret Lawrence Terry Douglas Diane Eddie Johanna

el Debra William James Timothy Lester Deborah Douglas Niyale Julia Belinda

ph Robert Cicero Floyd Kenneth Sherry Rickey Robert Kenneth Larry Robert

Jerry Carroll Angela Roger Paul Chester Carmen Walter Edward John David

dam Haywood Linda Joseph Filip Michael Judy Norma Willie Dana Justrivus

rey Richard Jason Kathy Ramona John Robert Donald Darlene Miriam Mark

Charles Shannon Kenneth Darrell Carol Joseph Blondie Khamron Pamela Joe

honda George Bradly Steven Darian James Jessica Delores Joy Janice Rutha

p Allan Warren Shanna George Wallace Jeffery Johnny Darrell Bradley Armand

James Bennie Millie Jesse Martha Alva Kevyn Lily Stacy Clarence Michael

mes Cheryl Evelyn Lyman Vanessa George Harvey Lois Wanda Michael Jerry

Michael Kenneth Kathleen Amelia Donald James Cassandra Aaron Amy

ONORS OF 2012*. THEY ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN…

6

PLANNING A PROGRAM?

As your organization plans its meeting

calendar for the year, please think of

LifeShare. Speakers from your community

whose lives have been touched by

organ or tissue donation are available

to talk to local groups.

If you would like to schedule a

free, informative presentation tailored

to the needs of your organization,

call the LifeShare office nearest you

at (704) 512-3303 or (828) 665-0107.

If you are interested in joining our

Speaker’s Bureau, we’d also like to

hear from you.

Lots of opportunities are available

to help in the office, to staff a booth

at a health fair or to make presentations

to community groups. Call us.

PLEASE CONSIDERMAKING A FINANCIALCONTRIBUTION

By making a donation to LifeShare,

you can help to save lives by raising

organ and tissue donation awareness.

You may contribute in several ways.

In lieu of flowers, LifeShare may

be designated as the organization to

receive memorials for funerals.

Contributions may also be made in

the name of a transplant recipient,

donor or other loved one. Each person

who makes a contribution to LifeShare

receives a thank you letter. A separate

letter is sent to the family or person in

whose honor the donation was made.

Please mail your check, payable to

LifeShare, to the address on the back

of the newsletter. All contributions

are tax-deductible and are used for

public education purposes.

L I F E S H A R E O F T H E C A R O L I N A S

Please join us in congratulating our partner hospitals for a job well done. They were

recently recognized for excellence in donation and transplantation. Collectively, the

group brought home nine gleaming medals from the 7th National Learning Congress,

a joint initiative sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration

(HRSA) and the Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance.

The LifeShare team joined staff from other organ procurement organizations,

transplant centers and major hospitals across the country in Grapevine, Texas for the

biennial meeting. There, participants came together to learn strategies to increase

donor designations, to improve donor management and to share best practices.

In all, we are proud to report that the LifeShare team earned three silver and six

bronze medals. Silver awards were presented to Carolinas Medical Center (CMC),

LifeShare and to Presbyterian Hospital. CMC NorthEast, Gaston and Mission

Hospitals joined the bronze medal winners. Carolinas Medical Center was also recognized

with bronze medals for its Heart, Kidney-Pancreas and Liver Transplant Programs.

Next time awards are given out, we hope to bring home the gold!

Area Hospitals Win Medals for Excellencein Donation and Transplantation

LifeShare Team—Front row (L - R) Rhonda Duggan, Brenda Thrasher, Jill Horner, Leah Wilson,Nancy Carter, Cathy Moore; Back row (L - R) Will Hasskamp, Susan Galbraith, Mike Johnston,Angie Belk, Tyson Bogart, Carissa Ingham, Donna Biege; Not pictured: George Karl.

W I N T E R I S S U E – 2 0 1 2

LifeShare is pleased to offer

donor family members a

special way to remember

their loved ones—through

our memorial quilts, the

Quilts of Life.

We display the quilts in our

office and at special events

designed to promote organ

and tissue donation. Squares

are added to the quilts at

least once a year, usually in

the spring in time for

National Organ and Tissue

Donation Awareness Month.

If you would like to add a

square in memory of your

loved one, visit our web site

at lifesharecarolinas.org for

size dimensions, a release

form and other details. You

may also call us for additional

information at (704) 512-3303.

We look forward to receiving

additional squares and to

sharing the memory of your

loved one with others.

LifeShare gratefully acknowledges the commitment of all nurses and other medicalpersonnel who help to further the ideals of organ and tissue donation. It is throughtheir efforts and the generosity of donor family members that donation occurs. Whencomparing statistics, please note that not all hospitals have the same donor potential.

DONOR S TAT I S T I C S BY HOSP I TA L

July–September 2012

Hospital Eye Organ Tissue

Angel 0 0 0

Anson 2 0 0

Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) 17 11 10

CMC - Lincoln 1 0 3

CMC - Mercy 0 0 0

CMC - NorthEast 7 0 4

CMC - Pineville 1 1 1

CMC - Union 7 0 5

CMC - University 2 0 1

CMC - Waxhaw 4 0 2

Cherokee 0 0 0

Cleveland 4 0 4

Gaston 7 1 6

Grace 1 0 2

Harris 0 0 0

Haywood 3 0 2

Highlands-Cashiers 0 0 0

Kings Mountain 1 0 0

Lake Norman 1 0 0

Mission - St. Joseph’s 11 3 11

Murphy 5 1 2

Pardee 3 0 2

Park Ridge 2 0 0

Presbyterian 2 1 2

Presbyterian Huntersville 1 0 1

Presbyterian Matthews 2 0 3

Rutherford 2 0 4

St. Luke’s 0 0 0

Stanly 3 0 2

Swain 0 0 1

Transylvania 0 0 0

Valdese 2 0 0

VA Medical 0 0 0

7

Quiltof Life

LifeShareOf The Carolinas

5000-D Airport Center ParkwayCharlotte, NC 28208

However you celebrate, we wish you peace and joy.

Season’s Greetings fromLifeShare Of The Carolinas