|
Connections Newsletter Spring 2010 |
 |
 |
 |
 CONNECTIONS
News and Notes for Donor Families 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade 
LifeChoice Donor Services, in collaboration with Donate Life Connecticut and the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF), was pleased to announce that the Donate Life™ float: NEW LIFE RISES would be honoring Maggie and Don Collican’s youngest child, Katie. Katie was only six years old when she died unexpectedly and gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. Maggie has often described Katie as the family’s littlest mud wrestler, a happy, freckled-faced, curly-haired tomboy. On New Year’s Day, an artistic floral portrait (“floragraph”) of Katie was featured on the float, NEW LIFE RISES.  On December 9, 2009 family members, volunteers and donation staff gathered at the Coolican home in East Hampton for a luncheon. This luncheon celebrated Katie’s life and the lives of all donors who have supported their community through donation. Today, Katie’s legacy lives on in her mother’s work as the Coordinator of Donor Family Services for MTF. In the 25 years since Katie’s death, Maggie has advocated for compassionate care and support of the donor family. She is respected as a national figure in the donation community. Maggie has implemented bereavement programs, written numerous publications, and was instrumental in the National Donor Family Quilt. As founding chair of the National Donor family Council and author of “For those Who Give and Grieve” her continuous work focuses on remembrance of the donor and compassionate care to grieving individuals and families.
Donor Family GatheringThe Journey  The Gift of Life Gathering is the time we remember and honor individuals and families who have made the decision to donate organs and tissues. The theme of the annual Gathering this year is “The Journey.” A remembrance video and a candle lighting ceremony are part of this remembrance. Please join us on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at Maneeley’s in South Windsor, CT from 1:30 – 4:00 P.M. Light refreshments will be served. Invitations will be sent out the beginning of April. If you do not receive an invitation to the Gathering and would like to attend, please phone or e-mail Karen Gossett at 800-874-5215,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Transplant Games 
Donor families, those with a family member or friend who donated organs or tissues after their death, are invited to the Transplant Games for an inspiring and supportive program. There are many special activities and events for families to share with one another. The CT Donor Family Liaison is Beth Ballard who can be contacted by calling 203-877-9087 or by e-mail at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. If you would like more information and video highlights visit: www.transplantgames.com Spring Forsythia, daffodils and tulips bloom. Folks seem to step more lively with the knowledge that the cold and snow are almost over. But some of you may not care about warmer days or tulips or daffodils. For you, spring may be the first season or another season without your loved one. Each time another season or holiday arrives the special memories of our loved one may be even more powerful or painful. The world around us seems to continue on as though nothing has happened. Please know that you are not alone. Many of us understand and care. Our thoughts continue to be with you and we are here to support you in any way that we can. Donor Family Decorates the “Gift of Life” Tree Bryan Hood As a donor family, we were proud to present the “Gift of Life” tree to the Wadsworth Atheneum 2009 Festival of Trees on behalf of LifeChoice Donor Services. As an annual tradition, the Wadsworth accepts decorated trees, wreaths, and other holiday displays from area organizations and businesses and showcases them throughout the facility for several weeks. At the conclusion of the Festival, the items are made available for purchase, with the proceeds benefiting the Atheneum. Making the best use of this year’s Mother Nature theme, our tree was decorated with small gift boxes wrapped in pinecones, intricate leaves, red berries, and pine needles, and amidst the boxes floated beautiful green butterflies. As we hand-made each box, it was a wonderful time to reflect on the life of our son and brother, Bryan, and all donors who, like Bryan, have changed and saved countless lives through their priceless gifts of organ and tissue donation. We are thankful that we had so many wonderful holiday seasons with Bryan before the motorcycle accident in 2006 that took his life at age 23. This event was a unique opportunity to honor all those we miss as donor families, and also to highlight the importance of organ and tissue donation awareness in a beautiful setting. During the holiday season when missing our loved ones is especially hard, we were so proud to be part of such a special tribute, and it was truly a wonderful experience. Kathy and Ally Hood Editor’s note: Bryan Hood was an organ, tissue and cornea donor in 2006. His mom Kathy and sister Ally have been active in promoting organ, tissue and cornea donation since his death.
“Hugs from our Hearts” Shawls 
Thank you to our donor family volunteers who knit/crochet “Hugs from Our Hearts” shawls for organ and tissue donor families. Barbara Buckalew, Jeanne Lombardo, Belle Perrone, Irma Schoen, Jean Smith and Barbara Newton give their time and talent to help support grieving families. We would also like to thank LifeChoice Volunteer Phyllis Patz and Maureen Shirley for crocheting ten shawls this month. Yarn donations (Red Hart 4 ply yarn) are appreciated and may be sent to LifeChoice. Requesting Recipient Updates - What Does This Mean?Tissue Donor: If your loved one has donated bone, skin, heart valves or veins our staff will provide you with the tissue recipient’s age, gender, types of surgeries and hospitals.Cornea Donor: We will provide you with updated medical information on the cornea recipient. Organ Donor: We will provide you with updated medical information on the recipients. Team Connecticut Fund RaiserLifechoice is supporting a fundraiser event which will provide financial support to donor families and transplant recipient athletes who will be attending and competing in the Transplant Games this summer in Madison, WI. All are welcome to attend and help support Team CT. Spaghetti Supper Fund RaiserSaturday April 24, 20105pm - 9pm First Church of Christ Congregational2183 Main Street, Glastonbury Email or phone Karen with any questions 
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 800-874-5215 LifeChoice Donor Services 8 Griffin Rd NorthSuite 200BWindsor, CT 06095 Phone:1-800-874-5215860-286-3120 Fax:860-286-3147 Website:www.lifechoiceopo.org  |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 June 2010 20:06 )
|
 Several years ago, Roma's parents took her to the doctor thinking she had the flu. Things quickly became alarming when doctors revealed that Roma had only 12 percent kidney function resulting from a rare inherited kidney disease, medullary cystic disease. She had been born with a disease that kills off kidney function during childhood. Thankfully, her father and several other family members were identified as donor matches, and five-year-old Roma received a kidney transplant from her dad in 1999. Now at nine years old, Roma enjoys activities that any little girl should be able to participate in. She loves her dance lessons and will happily show off some of her latest tricks-splits in several formations as well as one-handed cartwheels. Says Roma's mom, "It truly is a gift of life, for not only the recipient, but for the entire family. We get to see Roma live like any parent would want to see their nine year old." |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 July 2009 02:33 )
|
|
|
Public Resources 
