Second Chance Blog

 

Keeping Legacies Alive Through Higher Education Opportunities

February 22nd, 2012

The Gift of Life Donor Program is dedicated in helping to provide support to everyone involved in the organ donation experience. One way support is offered to those involved in donation is through special scholarship programs that are funded through foundations dedicated to the Gift of Life Donor Program and organ donation. Two special scholarships for young adults affected by organ donation in the Gift of Life Donor Program region are The Jessica Beth Schwartz Scholarship and The David Nelson Jr. Memorial Fund.

Winners of the 2011 Jessica Beth Schwartz Memorial Fund.

The Jessica Beth Schwartz Memorial Scholarship Fund award s$2,500 yearly to a transplant recipient under the age of 25 who is senior in high school or enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college, university, trade or technical school. To learn more about the scholarship criteria and application process, click here. All applications must be post marked by March 1, 2012.

The award was created in honor of Jessica Beth Schwartz, a heart transplant recipient and Temple University Journalism student, who always stayed focused on her goal of a college education. Jessica’s dream of earning her degree was cut short when she passed away at the age of 23. Friends and family created the Jessica Beth Schwartz Memorial Scholarship Fund for young transplant recipients so that they could pursue their dreams of higher education.

Each September, the Schwartz family holds an annual fundraiser, Jessie’s Day, to help raise money for the scholarship fund through raffles, door prizes and tickets. To donate to the Jessica Beth Schwartz Memorial Scholarship Fund, click here.

The David Nelson Jr. Memorial Fund provides educational scholarships to children of organ and tissue donors and annually awards a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving child of a donor parent or guardian. The funds help the student finance their high school or college education. Applicants must be a child of a donor who was his or her guardian, enrolled in a private or parochial high school or presently enrolled in or accepted for the 2012 academic year to a 2 or 4-year college, university or trade/technical school. Applications must be completed by March 1, 2012.

David Nelson Jr. gave the gift of life through organ donation.

The memorial fund is a way friends and family of David Nelson Jr. continue to keep his spirit of compassion and giving alive. In 2006, David passed away suddenly, and because of his decision to be an organ donor, five people received organ transplants to save or improve their lives.

For more information about The David Nelson Jr. Memorial Fund scholarship criteria and scholarship application, click here. For more information about The David Nelson Jr. Memorial Fund, click here.

2012 Dash Best Dressed Contest

February 20th, 2012

Every year, dozens of teams show their pride and create their own t-shirts. We are always blown away by the creativity and passion our supporters put into their designs. It really brings it all home for everyone at the Dash to walk around and see a sea of color and tons of messages of support surrounding around the Art Museum and up West River Drive

This year, we’re upping the ante. We want to know who is the best dressed team at the Dash and we’re letting our Facebook fans decide by a popular vote. Submissions are now open, so start brainstorming and submitting your designs! On April 7th, voting will open and you and all your friends and family will be able to votes once per day until April 13th. The winning team will receive a special award on stage at the Dash and be crowned the 2012 Best Dressed Team at the Dash! Make sure to share your story of why you run the Dash in your submission. Be creative. Be inspiring. Tell your story. Have fun!

 

 

Submissions must be in by April 6, 2012 at11:59pm (EST)

 

Voting will open on April 7, 2012 at 12:00am (EST)

 

Voting will close on April 13, 2012 at 11:59pm (EST)

Battling Dual Diseases While Waiting For A Miracle

February 17th, 2012

As part of Black History month, Gift of Life Donor Program has been featuring various donation perspectives from the African American community. This week we share the story of Daryl Dancy, who battled dual life threatening disease while waiting for a kidney transplant.

Kidney Recipient Daryl Dancy

Faces of Organ Donation- Daryl Dancy

Several years ago, if you were to tell me that I would go into kidney failure, be hospitalized on three separate occasions as a result, and be diagnosed with another major disease during this period, I would not have believed you. 

 If you were to tell me that a total stranger would donate one of his kidneys to me without any hesitation, I would have laughed in your face.  

 This is, however, exactly what transpired – and this is my story.

 At the age of 17, I was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease   According to the treating physician, I was expected to go into renal failure within two to 10 years and would need dialysis treatments to sustain life.  In the summer of 2005, my kidneys began failing, and you cannot fully understand the true impact of renal failure until it happens to you.  I developed a metallic taste in my mouth and gradually began losing my appetite.  It eventually got to the point where I ate not because I was hungry but because it was what I was supposed to do.  During the ensuing months, my condition continued to deteriorate, and in addition to my appetite loss, I developed severe neuropathy in my legs and became exhausted simply by speaking. 

 On March 21, 2006, I began dialysis treatments.  Approximately one year into treatment, something remarkable occurred while attending a Sunday worship service.   I was seated in the front row by the usher, which really wasn’t out of the ordinary.  On this particular Sunday, however, I got the inescapable feeling that something was about to happen. 

 Following a sermon by a visiting minister, my pastor called me before the congregants and said, “You are not alone in this.”  At that time, all male members of the congregation were called forward and began praying around me.  I began crying uncontrollably and after this cleansing of sorts, I gathered my things and started to leave the sanctuary.  As I did so, I turned to see a man and his wife standing before me.  He looked me in the eyes and said, “God told me to tell you that I got your kidney.” 

 A little over a year had passed since that promise was made, and the summer of 2007 proved to be the most difficult season of my life.  I was hospitalized three times and nearly lost my life to Systemic Lupus, wondering if the promise would be fulfilled.  The summer of 2008, however, proved to be a year unlike any other. I finally received my kidney from that same gentleman that stepped forward, and the promise was fulfilled.  I have new appreciation for life and a new found love for God.  The world needs to know what it means to get your life back!

Organ Donation- The Ultimate Act Of Love

February 14th, 2012

Keynote speaker Maggie Nix shared her living donation experience.

 

On Sunday February 5, the Gift of Life Donor Program held their annual living donor ceremony to pay tribute to all those who selflessly donated to those struggling on the transplant waiting list. Each donor and recipient had unique stories, various connections and diverse backgrounds yet all shared one common theme-lifesaving donation.

Recipients and donors united together to share their experiences with one another, while celebrating their new lease on life thanks to donation. 35 living donors were honored at this year’s ceremony. The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Maggie Nix, a living kidney donor. Nix shared her story of how a a stranger’s selfless act of bone marrow donation to her son compelled her to become a living kidney donor.

35 Living donors were honored at the ceremony.

Valentine’s Day is a time to express how much our loved ones mean to us. For most people, the best way to show their endearment is through chocolate hearts, stuffed bears and long stem roses. However, others have shown their love by giving the ultimate expression of love- by becoming organ donors.

This Valentine’s Day, share the knowledge of the life saving gift of organ and tissue donation. In 90 seconds, a person can register to become a donor online and potentially save the lives of eight people. National Donor Day is also February 14th, and serves as a time to reflect on the growing need of blood, bone marrow, tissue and organ donation. Send your loved ones a special Valentine’s Day eCardthat shares both your love and dedication to awareness for donation!

 

 

Local Family Keeps Legacy Alive Through Advocacy of Donation

February 13th, 2012

On Sunday February 12, the Bottino family held their 4th annual event celebrating the legacy of Joe Bottino, Jr. with a special performance of the musical, Cats at The Ritz Carlton Theatre Company in Haddon Township, New Jersey.

Audience members we all smiles during the event.

The yearly fundraiser is in memory of Joe Bottino, Jr. who passed away at age 42 in February 2007. Bottino passed away while waiting for a liver transplant due to liver failure. He left behind his wife Dianne Bottino and two children who decided to honor his memory in a special way.

“As we approached the first anniversary, we wanted to have an event in memory of Joe,” said Dianne Bottino. “We wanted to raise awareness of the critical need for organ donors, make an impact on the number of registered donors and raise funds to support educational programs and services offered by Gift of Life.”

Dianne, along with the rest of the Bottino family, decided to create an annual performance fundraiser at The Ritz Theatre Company, beginning in 2008.

“Joe’s mother, Sandi, used to work at The Ritz Theatre Company, and we immediately saw it as a wonderful way to gather family, friends and supporters,” said Dianne Bottino. “We saw it as a way to celebrate Joe, and to do something good in the process.”

Proceeds from previous events have been donated to the Gift of Life Family House, and part of that will underwrite a guest room in Joe’s name.

“It keeps his legacy alive when we participate in events and join other speakers to educate others,” said Dianne Bottino. “Joe, in his life, always tried to share his experiences so that others would benefit. He is still doing that through us.”

Gift of Life Family House is an organization that holds a special place in the Bottino family’s heart, because they have been in a similar situation that guests are experiencing.

Guest of all ages enjoyed the fundraiser!

“It was important to become involved because we know first hand what it’s like when a loved one is ill and in need of a transplant.  We also know that the need for organs exceeds the availability,” said Dianne Bottino.

The Bottino family has been affected through their on going efforts of fundraising and awareness for organ and tissue donation.

“We feel fulfilled and blessed through our efforts.  It is so rewarding to know that we can do something to positively impact the road another family will travel,” said Dianne Bottino.  “And in the process we have come to know many people that are very near and dear to us – people we consider close friends.  We are connected to a constant source of amazing and inspiring stories.”

Dianne hopes that attendees of the event took away not only a great performance, but also the inspiration to raise awareness.

“We always want people to enjoy the afternoon, and carry with them the positive energy and message that they, too, can make a difference.”

 

 

 

 

20 Million In 2012 Reaches Across America

February 10th, 2012

2012 is gearing up to be a big year for organ and tissue donation awareness!

 Donate Life America, the national alliance of organizations and state teams across the United States committed to increasing organ, eye and tissue donation, has launched a new campaign called “20 Million in 2012,” which focuses on the year-end goal of registering 20 million people as organ donors.

“Donate Life celebrated 100 million registered donors in 2011, which means 42 percent of individuals age 18 and older are registered as organ and tissue donors,” says David Fleming, President and CEO of Donate Life America. “With the majority of individuals in the United States wishing to be organ and tissue donors, the biggest challenge to meeting our goal of 120 million will be getting people to take action and register today as an organ and tissue donors.”

Some of the projects in the pipeline for the coming year include the Donate Life Flash Mob on March 24th, Donate Life Blue and Green Virtual Fashion Show on April 20th, Donate Life Champions in the fall and Donate Life Linking Hands for Life all year long. Look out for more information on these initiatives in the coming months.

Finally, Donate Life America is overseeing the “I am HOPE” story project, which features 365 incredibly powerful stories of people personally touched by organ and tissue donation. Each week, another state will feature a different story every day through their social media outlets. New Jersey started off the “I am HOPE” initiative the very first week of the campaign and Pennsylvania was featured the third week in January. Look out for Delaware’s stories later in the fall.

You can help us get to 20 million new registered donors in 2012!  Visit here to see how.

Keep up to date on all Gift Of Life Donor Program initiatives by liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter!

 

© Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
    800-DONORS-1 / 800-KIDNEY-1

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