A Quarterly Newsletter of LifeShare Of The Carolinas

VOLUME 17

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ISSUE 2

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SUMMER 2015

IN THIS ISSUE:

1 Calling All TransplantTrotters

2 LifeShare Partners EarnNational Recognition

3 Two Sisters, One Kidney

4 It’s Tee Time!

4 Heart of Champions

5 Every Community HasOpportunity

6 Local Transplant RecipientsReach National Audiences

7 Donor Statistics by Hospital

8 Transplant StatisticsRevised

A Donate Life Organization

Calling All Transplant TrottersLace up your tennis shoes and plan to come out to Run the Forest on Saturday,

September 26, 2015. That is the day that Asheville Eye Associates will sponsor its

annual 5K and one-mile walk in Asheville.

This marks the third year the event has been held but the first time that proceeds

will benefit LifeShare’s public education programs. Both events will kick-off from

Carolina Country Day School and wind through the Biltmore Forest. The 5K begins

at 9 AM. The walk follows at 10:30.

Transplant recipients and donor family members are encouraged to get involved,

especially corneal transplant recipients. As a courtesy, Asheville Eye Associates is

waiving the registration fee for any donor family members who want to participate.

Those individuals may identify themselves and use the code “Fullness” when registering

to obtain a free registration..

In addition to raising money, Asheville Eye Associates also hopes to raise awareness

about the need for more, eye, organ and tissue donors in the Carolinas.

We are hopeful that area transplant recipients who are runners or walkers will

register for the event. To do so, visit http://communityfitnessevents.com/run-forest-

fitness-event/. Individuals who don’t run but who would still like to help out, can

volunteer the day of the event.

There will be opportunities to help with registration, water stations and also to

cheer the runners on as they cross the finish line. If you are interested in helping out,

please contact Jennifer Dills at (704) 512-3303 or jmccarn@lifesharecarolinas.org.

Sponsorship opportunities are available as well. If you know of a major corporation

or a small business that would like to support the event, please refer them to Katy

Farlow at (828) 258-2331 or kf@aea1961.com.

The more, the merrier!

Transplant recipients anddonor family members areencouraged to get involved.

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

Assistant Editor

Gary Burris

Associate Editor

Ben Martin

O U R M I S S I O N

Improving lives through organ,

eye and tissue donation.

O U R V I S I O N

We envision a day when everyone

who needs a transplant will be

able to get one.

LifeShare Partners EarnNational RecognitionFOR THE SECOND YEAR, LIFESHARE IS AMONG A SELECT GROUP OF ORGAN

PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR

EFFORTS WORKING WITH AREA HOSPITALS TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO JOIN

THE NC ORGAN DONOR STATE REGISTRY.

Nationwide, 1,658 hospitals and transplant centers were enrolled in the 2015

Workplace Partnership for Life Hospital Campaign sponsored by the federal

government. In North Carolina, half of the hospitals participating in the program

are from LifeShare’s area.

“It’s a testament to the dedication of our hospital partners and the hard work of

our Hospital Development Staff that we are proud to announce these results,” Gary

Burris, LifeShare’s Chief Operating Officer, said. Please join us in congratulating the

32 hospitals from our region:

GOLD

Caromont Regional Medical Center; Carolinas Medical Center; Lake Norman

Regional Hospital and Carolinas HealthCare System: NorthEast, Pineville, Union

and University.

SILVER

Angel Medical Center; Carolinas HealthCare System: Anson, Blue-Ridge Valdese,

Cleveland, Kings Mountain and Lincoln; Cherokee Indian Hospital; Harris Regional

Medical Center; Haywood Regional Medical Center; Highlands-Cashiers Hospital;

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center; Margaret Pardee Hospital, Mission Hospitals,

Murphy Medical Center; Novant Health: Huntersville, Matthews and Presbyterian

Medical Centers; Park Ridge Hospital; Rutherford Regional Health System; St. Luke’s

Hospital; Stanly Regional Medical Center; Swain Community Hospital and

Transylvania Regional Hospital.

Just as all hospitals do not have the same potential for organ donation, not all of

them have the same opportunity to earn medals. For that reason, a special enrollment

push for Phase 5 of the campaign will target small and rural hospitals.

To obtain more information on how your hospital can get involved, contact your

Hospital Development Liaison: Tracy Barker, Eboni Lewis or Vahisha Steadman. For

a complete list of all of the hospitals that participated in Phase 4, log onto:

http://www.organdonor.gov/howhelp/recognitionlist2015.

3

Number of Candidates on theNational Transplant Waiting List

Kidney 101,243

Liver 15,262

Pancreas 1,052

Kidney-Pancreas 1,989

Heart 4,187

Lung 1542

Heart-Lung 44

Intestine 244

NATIONAL TOTAL 122,717

North Carolina 3,139

South Carolina 859

Based on OPTN data as of July 10, 2015.

S U M M E R I S S U E – 2 0 1 5

Two Sisters, One KidneyMarlee Phomsopha and Marlay Manopaseuth

share more than your average twins. Each of them

works in healthcare. They were pregnant at the

same time but what makes them most unique is

the bond they share through kidney donation.

In 2008, Marlee came down with what she

thought was the flu. A visit to an urgent care

center resulted in a much more serious diagnosis,

end stage kidney failure, the result of Berger’s

disease. Many of the 26 million people in the

United States suffering from kidney disease,

don’t know they have it.

Marlay, a nurse, questioned how she could have missed the symptoms. Rather

than dwell on what could have been, she decided to focus on what she could do and

that was to offer her sister one of her own kidneys. The transplant took place in

October of 2008, just two days shy of their 26th birthday.

Since then, life has pretty much returned to normal for both of them. Marlee gave

birth to a son in 2011. Six weeks later, Marlay had a daughter.

Ironically, Marlay has put her nursing skills to work as a kidney transplant coordinator

at Carolinas Medical Center. Marlee continues her role as a pediatric dental assistant.

Both are volunteering their time to fight kidney disease and to encourage others to

register as organ and tissue donors.

Statistics from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) show there are over

100,000 people nationwide on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. “For those who

are considering live kidney donation Marlay said, “know that your safety will be

assured first and if you are worried about the pain, know that it goes away.

Remember you are changing someone’s life forever.”

Marlee couldn’t agree more or be more appreciative of her sister’s generosity.

“Organ donation does save lives because it saved mine,” she said.

S A V E T H E D A T E

October 12, 2015 • Trump National • Mooresville, NCSave a Life Golf Classic

The goal is toincrease the organdonor registry andto honor donors.

CALENDARof events

September 26, 2015Run the Forest 5K

and one mile walk

Asheville, NC

October 12, 2015Save a Life Golf Tournament

Trump National Golf Course

Mooresville, NC

November 13–15, 2015National Donor Sabbath

Congregations Nationwide

Marlee on left, and Marlay on right

You have th

e power to donate life!

It’s Tee Time!If you did not attend the the first Save a Life Golf Classic, you missed it! For those of

you who were lucky enough to participate, you will want to return!

The planning committee has been hard at work since early this year planning the

tournament to benefit LifeShare. From the moment the golfers arrive until the last

award is handed out in the afternoon at the awards reception, the committee is

committed to making the day one to remember.

The second annual Save a Life Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, October 12,

2015 at the Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, NC. Check-in begins at 10 AM.

Golfers will tee-off at 11 AM. Space is filling up quickly, so register early at

www.savealifegroup.org/golf_about.

Last year’s tournament raised, $29,000 for LifeShare which was used to expand

advertising in the DMV offices throughout our service area. Sponsorship opportunities

to benefit our public education programs are still available for this year. If you know

of a large corporation or a small business that would be interested, please contact

Gary Simmons at 1garysimmons1@bellsouth.net or 704-699-3046.

Heart of ChampionsEven though they play different sports, Erik Compton and Charles Tillman have a lot

in common. Erik is a two-time heart transplant recipient and PGA golfer. He received

his first transplant when he was 12.

Charles Tillman, an NFL cornerback with the Carolina Panthers and the winner of

the 2013 Walter Payton Award is the father of a heart transplant recipient. His seven-

year old daughter, Tiana, received her transplant at the tender young age of

six-months. Today, she is thriving and like Erik, living life to the fullest!

The other thing both athletes have in common is their passion to give back to

others who remain on the waiting list. And so it was that the two of them joined

forces at the Charlotte Knights Stadium on a warm spring evening last May.

Before a packed stadium, Erik tossed out the ceremonial first pitch and Charles

caught it. Better yet, it was recorded on a light-hearted video by Skratch TV, golf’s

first internet video network aimed at younger audiences. If you would like to see the

video, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiPhwO5qOVc.

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

Out and about... Pr

Charles Tillman (left) and Erik Comptonliterally had a ball at the Charlotte Knightsbaseball game in May to highlight donorawareness. We appreciate both of themvolunteering their time on our behalf.

5S U M M E R I S S U E – 2 0 1 5

romoting Donation

Nearly 60 percentof the waiting listis comprised ofethnically diversepatients. The needfor increaseddonation effortsand new strategicapproaches is animportant steptoward increasingthe number ofregistered donorsin multiculturalcommunities.

ECHOEvery Community Has OpportunityLifeShare has joined forces with the Association for Multicultural Affairs in

Transplantation and Donate Life America to launch “Donate Life ECHO,” a new

national observance designed to reach African American, Asian/Pacific Islander,

Latino, and other multicultural communities. The inaugural observance was held

July 12–July 25, 2015.

ECHO stands for Every Community Has Opportunity and has two objectives: focus

on the power of sharing one’s personal decision to register as an organ, eye and tissue

donors with members of one’s community; and encourage registered donors to ask

members of their personal networks and extended communities to register as donors.

Nearly 60 percent of the waiting list is comprised of ethnically diverse patients. The

need for increased donation efforts and new strategic approaches is an important step

toward increasing the number of registered donors in multicultural communities. In

NC, 58% of those waiting for an organ transplant are from minority communities.

Materials designed for ECHO have been translated into multiple languages,

including Spanish. LifeShare is encouraging North Carolina residents to create an

ECHO and to share their own inspirational stories with family and friends.

The formal ECHO observance may be over but the need for more donors continues

year-round. To obtain information in English or Spanish you can share in your

community, contact LifeShare at (704) 512-3303.

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) 255-8699.

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.

CONSIDER MAKING AFINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION

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

Local Transplant RecipientsReach National AudiencesHave you ever visited the web site for the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)?

If you are a transplant recipient, a donor family member or anyone interested in the

nation’s transplant system, you should.

We are pleased that five transplant

recipients from our area are currently

being featured on the organization’s

new and improved web site. They are

Bobby, a “mature” heart transplant

recipient; Destiny, a liver transplant

recipient; Jacob, a teen kidney recipient;

Nita, a kidney transplant recipient

and Skylar, a pediatric heart transplant

recipient.

They are among several individuals from around the country who are the face

of transplant statistics. It was their story and the photography from our own site

that captured the attention of the design team at UNOS working on their site’s

overhaul.

We’d like to thank John Adkisson, the photographer who took most of the shots

for the website as well as for the Los Angeles Times version of the Chris Henry story.

To view the photos or to see Skylar’s video, visit www.unos.org.

Of course you can always see the localized version on the LifeShare website at

www.lifesharecarolinas.org/stories-of-hope.

It was a beautiful night for our annual Donor Remembrance Ceremony when we rememberedthe organ, eye and tissue donors from 2014 and their family members. Without the generosity ofdonors, there are no transplants.

S U M M E R I S S U E – 2 0 1 5

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 Donate Life Month.

If you would like to add a

square in memory of your

loved one and to see our

quilts, 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

January–April 2015

Hospital Eye Organ Tissue

Angel 1 0 1

Anson 0 0 0

Asheville Specialty 1 0 1

CaED 1 0 1

Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) 27 13 21

CMC - Lincoln 6 0 4

CMC - Mercy 4 0 2

CMC - NorthEast 22 3 15

CMC - Pineville 8 0 6

CMC - Union 1 0 0

CMC - University 4 0 3

CMC - Valdese 1 0 1

CMC - Waxhaw 1 0 1

Caromont 23 1 18

Cherokee 0 0 0

Cleveland 3 0 4

Harris 4 0 4

Haywood 1 0 0

Highlands-Cashiers 0 0 0

Kings Mountain 0 0 0

Lake Norman 0 0 0

Mission - St. Joseph’s 25 7 18

Murphy 0 0 0

Novant - Presbyterian 16 0 5

Novant - Huntersville 0 0 0

Novant - Matthews 5 0 4

Pardee 1 0 1

Park Ridge 0 0 0

Rutherford 2 0 3

St. Luke’s 0 0 0

Stanly 4 0 4

Steele Creek 1 0 1

Swain 0 0 0

Transylvania 0 0 1

VA Medical 2 0 0

7

Quiltof Life

LifeShareOf The Carolinas

5000-D Airport Center ParkwayCharlotte, NC 28208

To make sure that the entire transplant and donation community is on the same

page and provides the same data, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has

updated a number of statistics. For instance, the average number of people who die

each day because the organs they need are not donated has increased from 21 to 22.

The number of people on the waiting list has also gone down. Here are some

additional statistics you will find helpful as you interact with the public.

• An average of 81 transplants take place every day in the United States.

• Another person is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes.

• Nearly 123,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant.

• 2014 was a record breaking year for the number of transplants performed and the

number of deceased donor transplants.

• 29,532 transplants were performed in 2014. It was the first time more than 29,000

transplants were performed in a single year.

• 23,715 transplants were from deceased donors. Similarly, it was the first time more

than 23,000 deceased-donor transplants were done in a year.

UNOS updates the latest statistics by state as well as nationally on a regular basis.

To get the latest data on everything from the number of people on the waiting list to

the number of donors in a given year, visit www.unos.org/data.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Transplant Statistics Revised