A Quarterly Newsletter of LifeShare Of The Carolinas

VOLUME 19

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ISSUE 4

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WINTER 2016

IN THIS ISSUE:

1 Jonathan’s Story

3 Taking Second Chances toHeart

4 Donation Makes It AllPossible — 2016

6 Your Name Is Important

6 LifeShare Names New CEOand Executive Director

7 Donor Statistics byHospital

8 Happy Holidays fromLifeShare

A Donate Life Organization

Jonathan’s StoryAs Told by his mother, Laura MingusAs is our tradition, this edition of the newsletter is dedicated to donor families

Friday April 23, 2010 started out just like every

other Friday. I woke up, went to my seven-year

old son, Jonathan’s, bedroom, woke him up,

gave him clothes to put on, and went to the

kitchen to fix breakfast. We ate breakfast

together. He brushed his teeth and we went to

sit by the front door to wait on the school bus.

As we waited, we played our usual word

game talking about what kind of day it was

going to be. As the bus made its usual turn on

the dead end road across the street from our

house, Jonathan gave me big hugs and kisses

as we decided he was going to have a

“stupendous” day at school.

The bus stopped across the street from our

driveway. One car passed and Jonathan started

across the street to board the bus. As I stood at the door waiting for him to get on the

bus, I heard the bus driver blow the horn, not the usual honk of a horn, but a long

blow… twice, which was extremely unusual. I heard tires squealing and a green

minivan hit my son. I saw my boy go flying through the air and land behind the bus.

I started screaming, thinking that my mind was playing tricks on me, then started

calling for my son, Joseph, who was 18 at the time. I ran out, in complete hysterics

and shock to where Jonathan was lying in the road. Joseph soon joined me, and

started performing CPR on Jonathan who was without a pulse or breath.

Joseph was very determined and focused and instructed me to call 911. Jonathan

began to breathe again but was still struggling for each breath. My daughter Ashley,

then 17, had awakened to my screaming and had also come outside by the time the

ambulance arrived.

Joseph, Ashley, and I went directly to Charlotte. We arrived at Levine Children’s

Hospital. Not long after getting there, they took us into a private family waiting

room. Shortly thereafter, a team of doctors came in and explained to me that

Jonathan’s spine was broken at the neck. Even though there was some brain function

now, they did not expect it to last. They allowed me to go in to see Jonathan. Many

family members and friends took turns visiting with Jonathan and me. He was officially

declared brain dead around 7 PM on Friday.

I was approached by two men from a company called LifeShare Of The Carolinas.

They talked to me about the possibility of donating Jonathan’s organs. They were so

kind, calm, considerate and respectful in the way they spoke to me.

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

Ben Martin

O U R M I S S I O N

Improving lives through organ,

eye and tissue donation.

OU R V I S I O N

We envision a day when everyone

who needs a transplant will be

able to get one.

I knew a little bit about organ donation. I’ve had the heart on my license as long as

I can remember. But I never knew the true significance of that little heart until these

last few years.

Jonathan was a very loving and giving little boy so there was really no question as

to what to do. We started the process for organ donation, and on Saturday, April 24th

at 10 PM, my baby boy was taken back to the operating room where his organs were

removed to help save other’s lives.

I stayed with Jonathan until I had no choice but to leave. Jonathan donated both

of his kidneys, his liver, his lungs, and both corneas. I know some details about the

recipients but I haven’t pursued contact with all of them yet. That is something I plan

to do soon. I have received a letter from one of the kidney recipients and I have

shared it in several settings.

I’ve done some volunteer work for LifeShare and I’ve had the chance to meet people

on all sides of the organ donation spectrum; donor families, organ recipients, and

some people that are on the waiting list. They have really fueled my heart to be an

advocate for organ donation.

We have created a memorial garden at Jonathan’s school and sponsored an annual

balloon release at our church to help his memory alive. This holiday season, I greatly

appreciate the opportunity to share my story and my Jonathan with all of you too!

Jonathan’s Story continued

WE REALIZE THAT GRIEF IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS UNIQUE TO THE SURVIVOR

It can be a lengthy process and it certainly doesn’t end when the funeral is over. You

and your loved one have given selflessly to others and we want you to know that we

acknowledge your loss, your grief, and your gifts.

LifeShare is now offering free grief counseling to all of our organ, tissue, and eye

donor families through our Continuing Care program. Grief counseling sessions are

50 minutes in length and can take place in the LifeShare office, over coffee, or on the

phone! The number of sessions may range from one to six, may be held consecutively

or can be scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Jesse Roberts, LifeShare’s Continuing Care Counselor, is a Nationally Certified

Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who has worked with

donor families for four years. You may schedule an appointment by calling Jesse at

(704)-512-3050 or by e-mailing him at jesse.roberts@lifesharecarolinas.org.

LifeShare Expands Grief Counseling Services

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Number of Candidates on theNational Transplant Waiting List

Kidney 99,238

Liver 14,562

Pancreas 957

Kidney-Pancreas 1,796

Heart 4,043

Lung 1,432

Heart-Lung 44

Intestine 272

NATIONAL TOTAL 119,593

North Carolina 2,859

South Carolina 1,013

Based on OPTN data as of November 25, 2016.

Taking Second Chances to HeartPilot, three-time Super Bowl

winner, former NFL Coach,

designer of the no-huddle

offense, MBA graduate. Those

are all words to describe South

Carolina native Sam Wyche. But

in the early hours of September

12, 2016, the word that

described him best was patient.

Coach Wyche was in a hospital

bed at Carolinas Medical Center

desperately in need of a heart

transplant. It wasn’t looking good. In fact, he had been told by a doctor that he would

be sent home later that day with Hospice care, “to make him comfortable for as long

as was necessary.”

Later that evening, his wife of 51 years, wrote: “At exactly 5:25 pm Monday

evening, Coach Wyche was visited by one of his physicians who had the earlier

morning conversation with him that most likely he was not a candidate for an LVAD

(a device used to bridge patients to transplant). The demeanor of this visit was the

polar opposite of the morning. This was a "semi-thumbs-up."

He wanted to let him know that they may have located a donor heart for him. He

called us at 7:38 pm to confirm it. Sam still wanted to wait until he left to go to the

OR to tell everyone. Now, I am thrilled to tell all of you he is now at 2:50 am on his

way to the OR for his new heart.

He does not know who the donor is nor any of the circumstances surrounding his

donor. Sam is eternally grateful as all of you can imagine. The day that began with

not the best news has come to a close with the best possible news for Sam.

Please pray for the donor, the donor's family and the incredible medical team who

have been and are taking care of him and doing this heart transplant in the wee

hours of Tuesday.”

Three months later Coach Wyche is now riding his bike 15 to 19

miles a day. The ultimate poster child for organ and tissue donation,

he has made promoting donation his mission in life.

Coach Wyche has written a book, titled “Third Down and Forever”, that has not yet

been published. It was completed prior to his hospitalization but he has since added

another chapter about his transplant, the “Hail Mary”. His story isn’t over yet. He is

looking forward to meeting the family of his donor and to put it in his terms, “hanging

around here a little longer.”

Expect to see more news stories about Coach Wyche. In the meantime, you can

follow his story through social media on his Facebook page and through his Twitter

account, #haveablessedlife.

W I N T E R I S S U E – 2 0 1 6

CALENDARof events

January 1, 2017Donate Life Float

at Annual Rose Parade

Check your local TV listings

February 14, 2017National Donor Day

UNC Charlotte

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 REMEMBERING THE ORGAN, EYE AND TISSUE DONOR

Aaron Adili Alan Alford Alice Allen Alton Alvin Amanda And

Arthur Ashley Atiq Audrey Aurelia Avani Banks Barbara Ba

Bobby Bonnie Boyd Braxton Brenda Brian Brooks Bruce Cal

Catherine Cathryn Celso Chadwick Charlene Charles Cheyenne

Margaret Connie Cortland Crystal Curtis Cynthia Dakota Da

Deborah Debra Delmus Demetria Dennis Dewey Diamond Dia

Dwight Edgar Edward Edwin Elaine Elisabeth Elise Elizabeth

Florena Florence Forrest Francisco Franklin Fred Freddy Fredia

Glenda Glenn Glenna Grant Gregory Ha Hanna Harelis Harvey

Hunter Jack Jackie Jacob James Jamie Jan Jane Jason Jay

Jessie Jesus Jimmie Jimmy Joanna Joe Joel John Johnathon

Justin Kaieshi Karl Katherine Kathleen Kathryn Kaylee Kaylyn

Laruie Lauren Leah Nelson Leneil Lenwood Leo Leon Leona

Madison Marcus Margaret Margie Marie Marilyn Mark Marsh

McKayla Melissa Melvin Michael Micheal Michelle Milton M

Norman Odel Pamela Patricia Patsy Paulette Peggy Penny Pet

Renn Resia Rhonda Richard Riley Robert Roberta Robin Roche

Ryan Samantha Sandra Scott Selma Sharon Shawn Shirley Stan

Tammy Tanya Teresa Teri Terri Terry Thomas Tiffany Timothy

Victoria Vincent Walter Walton Wayne We

* The names listed here are from November 1, 2015 through October 31, 2016. 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 6

s it all possible! S OF 2016*. THEY ARE GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN...

dres Andrew Angela Anita Anna Anne Annette Anthony Ardis

arry Ben Benedict Benjamin Bernard Betty Beverly Billy Blair

lvan Calvin Cameron Candace Carmen Carolyn Carrie Carroll

Chris Christa Christie Christopher Cierra Cletus Clifford Clyde

ale Dallas Dan Daniel Danny Daood Darlene Darrell David

ane Dollie Don Donald Donna Donnie Donnis Dorian Dustin

Emerson Emilee Emma Eric Erika Ernest Ester Eugene Evelyn

Garry Gary Geoffrey George Georgia Gerarado Gilbert Gladys

Hazel Heath Heather Hemant Henry Herbert Herman Hermon

Jaylah JB Jean Jeannine Jeffery Jennifer Jerald Jeremy Jerry

Johnny Jon Jonathan Jordan Joseph Joshua Joyce Judith Judy

ne Kelly Kenneth Keshya Khalid Kim Kimberly Kristan Larry

rd Lernard Leslie Leta Linda Lisa Lorraine Luke Lydia Lynn

a Marvin Mary Mary Ann Mary Frances Mason Matthew Max

olly Mosetta Bill Ronald Myron Naheim Nena Niko Norma

ter Philip Phillip Phyllis Randall Randy Raul Raymond Rebecca

lle Rodney Roger Rolland Ronald Ronnie Rosezena Rusty Ruth

nley Stephen Steven Susan Sylvester Tabitha Talmadge Tamichael

Tina Tony Gwendolyn Travis Trenia Trevor Vance Verne Veverly

ndell Whitney William Willie Windy Zaelyn

@

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STAY UP TO DATE

It’s our desire to stay in touch with you

and to help save the environment too!

If you would like to get our newsletter

in your in-box instead of your mail-box,

you can read it online at

www.lifesharecarolinas.org/resources.

To unsubscribe to the print version in

favor of the online one, contact

ben.martin@lifesharecarolinas.org.

Let us know the best way to

communicate with you!

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

WE’D LIKE FOR YOU TO LOOK AT YOUR NAME IN A NEW WAY. YOUR NAME HELPS

TO DEFINE YOU BUT IT ALSO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SAVE LIVES. HERE’S HOW.

Donate Life America (DLA) has created a new campaign using people’s names to

increase the number of organ, eye and tissue donors around the country. To be clear,

they want the names of your friends, co-workers and classmates too!

You’ve probably heard of Coleman Sweeney, the fictional subject of an edgy public

service announcement. One day, he had a massive heart attack. It turns out he actually

had a heart after all, including one on his driver’s license. Coleman had given his

name to be a donor and because of that, he was able to save nine lives.

DLA wants you to lend your name to the project too. To make it easy, they have

created an Image Generator App that allows individuals to enter one or more names

which will then generate visuals for it. From Elizabeth Williams for example, several

names can be derived - Eliza, Liz, Beth, Will and Liam.

Images can be shared via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail signatures using #your-

namesaves. To try it, log onto yournamesaves.org and simply type in your first and

last name. Are you up for the challenge to be an advocate for something good? If

Coleman Sweeney can do it, you can too!

Submitted by Alisa Hayes, LifeShare Intern and Queens College Student

Your Name Is Important

LifeShare Names New CEOand Executive DirectorLifeShare is pleased to announce the appointment of

Jerome Menendez as Executive Director. Jerome has over

22 years of progressive healthcare experience in organ

procurement and transplantation and has served in various

positions including Transplant Coordinator, Transplant

Manager, Director and Assistant Vice President.

In his new role as the Chief Executive Officer of

LifeShare, Jerome assumes authority for administrative

and leadership functions and supervision of the

established organizational plan. He is also responsible

for ongoing communication with the Board of Directors.

He began his donation career with LifeShare in 1994,

later working for two other organ procurement organizations. Most recently, he

served as the Director of the Liver Transplant Program at Carolinas Medical Center.

Jerome holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Chatham University and is

also a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. He is engaged with several donation and

transplantation groups, including as a registered lecturer for NATCO, the

Organization for Transplant Professionals.

W I N T E R I S S U E – 2 0 1 6

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 2016

Hospital Eye Organ Tissue

Angel 0 0 1

Anson 0 0 1

Asheville Specialty 0 0 0

Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) 23 9 17

CMC - Lincoln 7 0 3

CMC - Mercy 0 0 1

CMC - NorthEast 8 2 6

CMC - Pineville 4 1 2

CMC - Union 6 0 3

CMC - University 1 0 0

CMC - Valdese 0 0 0

CMC - Waxhaw 2 0 2

Caromont 14 1 9

Cherokee 2 0 0

Cleveland 6 0 5

Harris 2 0 2

Haywood 2 0 1

Highlands-Cashiers 1 0 0

Kings Mountain 1 0 2

Lake Norman 0 1 0

Mission 13 7 13

Morganton 3 0 1

Murphy 1 0 2

NHP - Huntersville 2 0 1

NHP - Matthews 6 0 6

Novant 9 4 3

Pardee 4 0 3

Park Ridge 0 0 0

Rehab NE 0 0 0

Rutherford 1 0 1

St. Luke’s 1 0 1

Stanly 0 0 0

Swain 0 0 0

Transylvania 1 0 0

VA Medical 1 0 0

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Quiltof Life

LifeShareOf The Carolinas

5000-D Airport Center ParkwayCharlotte, NC 28208