UPCOMING EVENTS

Save The Date!

Winter 2010

Support Group Survey Results

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.”Charles M. Schulz

1-800-232-2892www.laora.org

For more information, please contact 1-800-232-2892.

If you live in Florida and would like to register to be an organ/tissue donor, please visit

www.DonateLifeFlorida.org.

Donate Life Ambassador TrainingLife Alliance Office (Miami, FL)

January 22, 2011

Donor Family PicnicLion Country Safari (Loxahatchee, FL)

January 29th, 2011

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/lifeallianceorganrecoveryagency

We are trying to expand our Donor Family email distribution list.

Please send us your email address!Send a message to yfraga@med.miami.edu.

In order to obtain your opinion and suggestions about the Donor Family Services Program, we sent you a survey that discussed incorporating a support group to the existing services (Life Alliance – Miami Office). Thank you for taking the time to complete and send it in. The responses indicated a low overall interest in this service. Only four donor families expressed a willingness and/or ability to participate.

If you are interested in joining a bereavement support group, please contact Donor Family Services at 1-800-232-2892 and our staff will refer you to one in your community.

We encourage you to send us your suggestions at any time. It is our goal to provide the best services possible. Your feedback will continuously help us improve the program.

Soothing the Soul will return in the Spring issue.

Dear Donor Family,

As we approach the season that represents new birth, we remember all of you with warmth and thanksgiving. Warmth, for the way we feel when we experience your unselfish gifts of life; thanksgiving as we experience the new life that your gifts have given to the many that live because of your generosity. We are so fortunate that our job allows us the unique opportunity to touch your lives at your most vulnerable times, and then to be involved with the people who live, thrive, and share their stories because you said “yes.”

As you live through the loss of a loved one, you may believe that your life will never be the same. You think that laughter and joy are things of the past. However, your precious gift brings happiness and laughter to so many. Through the gift of life a heart beats, lungs breathe and someone who had lost all hope becomes renewed. It is with time that their renewed life will transcend into peace and healing for you the donor family.

“As a donor daughter, I (Josie) can remember a time when I thought I would never smile or feel joyfulness again. However, time has returned them to me.”

“As a recipient sister, I (Rosetta) can still remember the gratitude I felt when my brother received the kidney that gave him new life.”

We feel privileged to have walked your initial steps. We are humbled and honored to walk with each of you through your journey.

With Love & Gratitude,Josie & Rosetta

Cooking Comfort..............................Apple Dumplings

Submitted by:Carol OsborneSister of Jean McReynolds

Ingredients:

2 Large Granny Smith apples 1 Large can of crescent rolls 1 Stick of butter 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon 1 Can (12oz) Mountain Dew

Directions:

-Peel and slice apples into large slices -Roll out crescent rolls and separate -Place apple slices into rolls and put in a baking pan -Bring butter and cinnamon to a boil and pour on top of rolls -Add Mountain Dew and place in oven (325 degrees) for 30 minutes -Serve with vanilla ice cream

Cooking ComfortCooking Comfort

“Tara Colegary was a vibrant young woman who was just beginning a wonderful career as an engineer. She graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2000 and began her job in December. On January 1st, 2001, Tara was taken from us due to injuries sustained from being hit by a reckless drunk driver. Our lives have been shattered losing our precious daughter and sister. Tara believed in organ donation and had registered when she last renewed her driver’s license. We know

she is happy that we honored her wishes to help others. Tara saved four other lives while losing hers. The youngest was a 1 ½ year old girl who received 1 of her kidneys.”

“Tara Colegary was a vibrant young woman who was just beginning a wonderful career as an engineer. She graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2000 and began her job in December. Tara was taken from us due to injuries sustained from being hit by a reckless drunk driver. been shattered losing our precious daughter and sister. Tara believed in organ donation and had registered when she last renewed her driver’s license.

she is happy that we honored other lives while losing hers. The youngest was a 1 ½ year old girl who

Andrew Allard - Organ Donor

“Allard family along with Community Services Staff/Donor family Josie Flores during the Opening

Ceremonies at the Transplant Games”

“Linda and Abbie Allard pinning up Andrew’s quilt square on “Patches of Love”

the National Donor Family Quilt”

Karen Colegary – Donor Mother

In Memory of Tara Colegary ..................................

-Place apple slices into rolls and put in a baking pan-Bring butter and cinnamon to a boil and pour on

Ceremonies at the Transplant Games” the National Donor Family Quilt”

Healing Thoughts..................................

Below is a letter written by kidney recipient and Life Alliance employee Ken Trachy. It exemplifies the feelings, thoughts and gratitude shared by those who have received a lifesaving transplant.

As I approach the 13th year anniversary of my kidney transplant, I am experiencing many powerful emotions. I will celebrate this milestone with both a great joyfulness and a profound gratefulness, for I continue to experience overall health and wellbeing, and especially hold dear the enjoyment and love of family and friends—-and, most preciously, my son, Sean.And constantly present, in my heart and mind, is the knowledge that I am blessed, that my good fortune has been made possible by the selfless decision you made on behalf of your daughter to donate her organs to provide sick and suffering individuals with the opportunity for revitalized health and happiness.

I am often asked about my two kidney transplants, and tell others that I have experienced 38 years of transplanted kidney function because of the love of my father, and because of the compassion and generosity of my donor and her parents. You have my appreciation and admiration and respect for your decision to choose life at a time of great loss and grief.

It is really her story I tell, though, as I am always powerfully aware that, because of her extraordinary wisdom and caring at such a young age, and her remarkable decision to think of others in need and to decide to be an organ donor, that my current health and productive life is possible. She was a very special young woman, and I think of her often with a deep thankfulness and respect.

Know that your gift has made an immeasurable difference in the lives of Sean and me, and hope this knowledge is comforting, especially at this time.

Thank you very much.

Ken Trachy

Donor Family Attends U.S. Transplant Games

The U.S. Transplant Games took place July 30th – August 4th in Madison, Wisconsin. Hosted by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), it featured transplant recipients competing in Olympic style events, workshops for donor families, professional seminars and numerous celebratory gatherings such as the Closing Party. According to NKF, the events “showcased the success of transplantation while calling attention to the critical need for more organ donors in the U.S. It also recognized and paid

tribute to the more than 4,000 American families who donate the organs and tissues of their family members each year.” Thousands of athletes, friends and families, living donors, donor families, and professionals from the transplant community attended the week long affair.

Life Alliance sponsored donor family Linda, Raymond and Abbie Allard. Their son/brother Andrew Allard was an organ donor in 2007. Linda stated, “What a tremendous blessing and honor it was for us as a family to be able to attend this year's Transplant Games. We felt greatly treasured by so many organ recipients and their families, and we also saw the overwhelming value in giving life to others through donation. This event brought healing to a new level as we saw Andrew honored in many different ways.”

Editor-in-ChiefKaren Garcia

Executive EditorYilian Fraga

Production ManagersCristina BicharaMaria-Elena Canals

ContributionsKaren ColegaryJosie FloresYilian Fraga

Published by:Life Alliance Organ Recovery AgencyCommunity & Donor Family Services

Rosetta Rolle HyltonCarol OsborneKen Trachy

BON APPETITE!