texas organ sharing alliance insert for san antonio woman

3

For more than 38 years, Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA) has served as the regional

organ donation organization serving over 6 million people in 56 counties in South and

Central Texas. TOSA is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is one of 58

federally designated organizations of its kind in the United States.

With a mission to optimize organ donation for our service area, TOSA's primary focus

is to facilitate the process of organ donation for those families wishing to donate as

well as those generous individuals who registered to be donors. Through those gifts

from these heroic individuals, 120,000 men, women and children on the waiting list

can have a second chance at life.

We hope that after reading the inspiring stories of our wonderful volunteers, you will

be encouraged to take a few minutes to designate and share your decision to donate.

Please enjoy the next few pages, and we invite you to visit the official state donor reg-

istry online at www.DonateLifeTexas.org where you can register to Donate Life.

Thank you.

About Us

A Special Section from San Antonio Woman

For more information and resources, please call 1-866-685-0277.

GOVERNINGBOARD

Texas Organ Sharing Alliance

2014

Charles P. Andrews,MD, CPI

Intensive Care Director of Clinical ResearchDiagnostics Research Group

Glenn Halff, MDTransplant Surgeon

UTHSC at San AntonioTransplant Center, MC 7858

Michael Horton,PharmD

Voluntary Health

Bruce MitchellRepresenting the public

PartnerStrasburger Price

Oppenheimer Blend

Jerry Morrisey, PhD Voluntary Health

Beverly Purcell-GuerraRepresenting the public

Vince Speeg, MD, ChairChair of Board


Daniel StantonHospital Administrator

Vice President, Transplant Services

Texas Transplant Institute

Ken Washburn, MDMedical Director


4


A record 436 people received life-saving organ

transplants in 2013 thanks to 119 selfless donors

in Central and South Texas, according to Texas

Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA). Twenty-five percent

of the donors chose to give the Gift of Life by registering

online or when they renewed their driver’s license.

TOSA, the organ donation organization in Central and

South Texas, works closely with families when their loved

one has the opportunity to donate. TOSA data show a dra-

matic increase in both registered donors as well as the num-

ber of organs transplanted.

“In 2013 we saw the number of registered donors grow sig-

nificantly, which helped alleviate a potential burden from

many families in considering donation after a tragedy oc-

curred. By registering to be official organ donors, those self-

less and compassionate individuals gave their families a very

special kind of support and comfort in knowing their loved

one's intent to donate,” states TOSA CEO Patrick Giordano.

“Last year, 119 people saved the lives of 436 people who

were awaiting an organ transplant. That is a dramatic in-

crease from 2012, when 94 Central and South Texans do-

nated, saving the lives of 353 people.”

Pam Porter lost her precious son after the 9-year-old expe-

rienced a sudden brain aneurysm. When her family was

given the opportunity to donate his organs, their answer

was an unequivocal yes. “We take comfort in knowing that

five people have been able to enjoy their families and their

lives longer than if we had not donated Scott’s organs. Scott

was a spiritual child, and we felt very firmly that he would

want this,” states Pam.

Nationally, nine out of 10 people support organ donation yet

may fail to register as donors and share their wishes with

family members. Texans are encouraged to register at

www.DonateLifeTexas.org and discuss their wishes with their

families. For more information about organ dona-

tion programs and community initiatives, call

Texas Organ Sharing Alliance at 1-866-685-0277 or

visit us at www.txorgansharing.org.

of Central and South Texans Receive Organ Transplants in 2013Record Number

It was a cold October afternoon when I got a call from Abigail.

She was in the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin,

filling out the forms to finally get her driver’s license. She

was 23 years old and had lived most of her life in cities

where a car was a liability rather than an asset – never any

place to park them. So she never got her license. She was

now living in Austin, a city she had grown to love, and was

about to start social work school at UT. She figured she

would get to classes by car or by bike, so a driver’s license

would finally come in handy. She called me because there

was a question on the form that asked if she would agree

to be an organ donor. How should she answer? She wanted

to say yes and was calling her mother for affirmation of this

seemingly very important decision.

My beautiful daughter — golden-red hair, grown-up and on

her own — was one of my best friends. She was compas-

sionate, giving of herself whenever she saw people in need,

loving life and able to experience life’s beauties. She also

had a great gift for sharing her positive view of the world.

She was about to venture on a career to help others. In her

own words, which come from her social work school appli-

cation, “I plan to work directly with disadvantaged children

and their families to provide equal access to social services,

encourage educational achievement, and foster a sense of

self-pride and ownership over their lives and their commu-

nities.” In her memory, we (her family and friends) have es-

tablished “Abigail’s Fund for Children,” which we are also

calling “Abby’s Children” to carry on her life dreams of help-

ing disadvantaged children and their families.

Her last great gift was giving the Gift of Life. Never in a mil-

lion years did I think that our conversation in October would

bring me to write these words. I had forgotten about that

conversation until we spoke to the ICU doctor at the hospi-

tal where our daughter was being cared for. The first thing

that came to my mind when he painted a very grim picture

was to offer her organs for donation. If there was any way

to have part of her live on in others, I desperately wanted

that. When we arrived there the next morning, they told us

how grateful they were that Abby had registered as an

organ donor just nine months earlier in October. They had

already started to assemble the teams that would hopefully

save the lives of others.

Losing a child is the most difficult thing I will ever face in

my life, more difficult than someday facing my own death.

Knowing that she could help others, which had been her

life goal, was a great source of comfort to me. Now several

years later, I continue to find great comfort in this decision.

*Note from TOSA: Please take the time to register

your decision to be an organ donor and speak with

your family members about your decision. Taking the

burden off family members on the worst day of their

lives is perhaps the second greatest gift you can give.6



Perspectivefrom a Donor Mom:

8


Television viewers in the Rio Grande

Valley didn’t know what led KRGV-

CHANNEL 5 NEWS sportscaster Dave

Brown to take a leave of absence,

but today everyone knows about his

life-saving kidney transplant and his

efforts to encourage others to be-

come registered organ donors.

Following a living donation from his

neighbor Penny, Dave was able to re-

turn to reporting on local sports.

While getting back into his routine,

he knew the best way to thank his

donor for her selfless act was to use

his position to urge others to give life

a second chance as a donor.

The percentage of registered donors

in the Valley with Donate Life Texas is

the lowest in state, and it takes a dedicated team of donor

families, transplant recipients and local businesses to sup-

port the Donate Life message by encouraging the commu-

nity to consider donation. Through the help of national

initiatives like the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL)

campaign, businesses can be leaders in their community to

encourage change.

WPFL, created in 2001, has a network of more than 11,000

company partners who help promote a “donor-friendly

America” within their organization. Action efforts include

brown bag seminars, placing the Donate Life Texas logo on

the company’s website and using social media to promote

their workplace efforts, among other activities.

When Dave returned to work, he approached the station’s

general manager, John Kittleman, about producing a series

of public service announcements to inspire Valley residents to

register with Donate Life Texas. Not only did Kittleman agree,

but he asked the station’s news director, Jenny Martinez, to

assist by dedicating an entire week — the start of National

Donor Minority Awareness Month — to organ donation.

The station did features on the region’s first registered

donor, a meeting between a recipient and his donor family,

facts about donation and even Dave’s own transplant story.

KRGV-CHANNEL 5 NEWS also created a page on their web-

site that offers links to Donate Life Texas and other impor-

tant resources.

Their PSAs encouraging the public to “get in the game” and

save lives were expected to be shown from August 2013

until the end of the year. But as 2014 started, the station

maintained its support of Donate Life Texas, and Dave ap-

peared on television regularly to remind people that they

can make a difference as an organ donor.

Because of the station’s willingness to support its employee

in creating awareness for the need of donors in the Rio

Grande Valley, “organ donation” and “Dave Brown” have

become nearly synonymous.

Through these stories and PSAs, KRGV-CHANNEL 5 NEWS

helped Valley residents make an informed decision about

organ donation. To date, as the PSAs continue to air, the

percentage of registered donors is increasing, and lives are

being saved.

To learn how your organization can establish a

Workplace Partnership for Life, call 1-866-685-0277.

Life-saving team players

9


Texas Organ Sharing Alliance • www.txorgansharing.org • 512-459-4848 • 1-866-685-0277

Key Points about Organ Donation

There is a severe shortage of organ donors in this country.

As of June 2014, there are more than 122,000 patients on the national waiting list in need of an organ transplant.

12,000 of themare Texans.

More than half of thoseawaiting a transplant in the

U.S. are minorities.

+50%

A new name is added to the United Network forOrgan Sharing waiting list every 13 minutes.

Nearly 7,000 of the patients on the national waiting list died last year (about 19 patients per day)without ever receiving their transplant because there are not enough organs to transplant.

Of the 2.3 million people who die in the U.S. every year, less than two percent are eligibleto be organ donors. Almost everyone, however, can be a tissue donor.

Transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of thesame ethnic and racial group. A patient is less likely to reject a kidney if it is donated by an individ-ual who is genetically similar. Therefore, a lack of organs donated by minorities can contribute todeath and longer waiting periods for transplants for minorities.

Register your decision at www.DonateLifeTexas.org and please inform your family of your decision to donate so they can carry out your wishes when the time comes.

The organ allocation system isblind to wealth, celebrity andsocial status. Donated organsare placed in recipients basedon best medical match andmost critical need.

• Few people are too old or too young to donate. • Currently there are no age limits for donors. • At thetime of your death, medical professionals will determine whether your organs are transplantable.• Organs that can be transplanted are the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver and intestine.

There is no major religion in the U.S. that isopposed to organ and tissue donation.

In fact, many religions endorse organ and tissue donation as an act of charity.

*

• Donation does not disfigure the body or prevent an open casket funeral. • Donated organs are removed in a sterile,

surgical procedure, similar to open heart surgery, in a hospital operating room by skilled surgeons. • Organ and tissue

donation is considered only after all efforts to save the patient’s life have been exhausted and death has been legally

declared. • No costs directly related to organ or tissue donation are passed on to the donor’s family or estate.

8PERSON CANSAVE LIVES1

10

Following the tragic death of Emilio “Jimmy” Coronado

on his bike, his friends were so moved by his decision to

give life as a registered organ and tissue donor, they all

signed up on the Donate Life Texas website. And as mem-

bers of the local Calaveras Motorcycle Club, they were

eager to honor their friend and brother, along with other

lifesavers, in a tribute ride.

Coronado, known as Low-Low by the club, was South

Texas’ first registered donor. To celebrate his decision, which

resulted in affecting over 70 people, the South Texas Trans-

plant Center joined with Texas Organ Sharing Alliance

(TOSA), the City of McAllen and UT Health Science Center

San Antonio Allograft Resources for a unique memorial to

start Donate Life Month.

Starting at McAllen City Hall for a special presentation

where city officials declared April Donate Life Month and

raised a Donate Life flag in memory of those who gave

life and those who await a transplant, over a dozen mem-

bers of the Calaveras MC Club rode to the South Texas

Transplant Center for a ceremony and flag presentation.

They traveled over a major McAllen intersection with Do-

nate Life flags trailing behind them, blue and green

scarves around their necks or wrapped on their bikes. At

the hospital, the bikers revved their engines as the Donate

Life flag was hoisted in the air for the motorists passing

by to see. The roar of the bikes drew a crowd from the

hospital’s waiting room.

Members of the club say it’s important

to them to celebrate their friend’s gift

to encourage others to do the same and

keep his memory alive.

Coronado’s wife, Bobby, said her husband’s decision to be

a registered donor was no surprise. During his lifetime, he

had forever been a giving and caring person. His act to

save others has encouraged her to advocate for others to

do the same.

“Sign up,” she told the audience at the hospital. “Save a

life and tell your family.”

CelebratingLife with the Calaveras Motorcycle Club



12

Baseball fans are greeted by smiling volunteers as they walk

through the gates of the stadium entrance. They are eager

to get to their seats but come by our colorful booth to see

what information we are sharing. It’s Donate Life Texas night

at the ballpark, and we are excited to give vital information

to the guests.

A middle-aged couple walks closer. Volunteers — some di-

rectly impacted by organ donation, outfitted in black,

green and blue “Donate Life” T-shirts — ask the important

question: “Would you like to register to be a life-saving

organ donor?” The husband stops in his tracks and says,

“No, you don’t want any of my organs.” Our volunteer

proudly replies, “You’d be surprised how many lives can

be saved by one person. My life was saved thanks to the

decision of a generous family.” The man glances at his wife

and looks back at the group, saying, “I’m glad for you, but

I want to keep all my organs.” The couple walk off quickly

to find their seats.

It’s a scene that we in the field of organ donation see all too

often. The subject of organ donation can make some peo-

ple feel uneasy. Maybe they don’t want to think about

dying; maybe they believe some of the myths surrounding

donation. Whatever the reason, there are those people who

don’t want to discuss organ donation. For those of us who

understand and have seen the amazing gifts one person can

give to others, we are unnerved by those who won’t give

donation a serious thought.

Our Friends for Life volunteers in Central and South Texas

are 400 strong. They are transplant recipients, donor family

members, patients awaiting transplants and even those who

have lost loved ones on the waiting list. They share their per-

sonal stories and encourage others to register their decision

to donate. They are the faces of donation and transplanta-

tion, and they help us save lives.

The enthusiasm of volunteers continues as more fans enter

the stadium. “Have you registered to be a life-saving organ

donor?” two volunteers ask in unison. A young man smiles

as he hears the question. “No, but I’ve been meaning to,”

he says. “Thanks for being here.” The volunteers thank the

man for taking the time to register as he happily grabs a clip-

board and completes the registration form. “Of course, I

want to be a donor. I don’t need my organs after I’m gone!”

Our thoughts exactly.



Play Ball!Volunteerseducate baseball fanson DonateLife Texasnight at theballpark

Victor – KidneyRecipientKidney failure came as a

complete surprise to Victor.Leading up to his transplant,he worked hard to promotethe life-saving message ofdonation through socialmedia. Now a year after re-ceiving the Gift of Life, Vic-tor says he will continue tohonor his donor by promot-ing organ donation.

Yvette – DonorFollowing her death in a tragicmotorcycle accident, Yvette’slegacy continues to grow. Herdouble-lung recipient is aphysician. Dr. Gina DeSantoparticipated in the Ride for theRoses, a 100-mile bike ride inmemory of Yvette. Yvette'sheart recipient helps withyouth programs in the CorpusChristi area. In total, she savedfive lives as an organ donor.

14

The Gift of Life



Daniel – DonorDaniel’s catchphrase was

“I got your back.” Organdonation is the ultimate“got your back.” As adonor, he saved three lives,and as his family consentedto donate his pancreas forresearch, he will help count-less others in the future.“As a family, we have

treasured organ donation asa means to remember theloving spirit of our son andbrother,” his family says.

Zachary – Small Bowel, Pancreas and Liver RecipientZachary was born with blockages in his small intestine, and while he had several surgeries to re-

move those blocks, he still suffered and went into liver failure. Upon being transferred to a hospitalthat specialized in small bowel/liver transplants, Zachary received his transplant on his 6-month birth-day. Despite minor ups and downs, Zachary is attending school and running around as if he werenever sick. Now as a volunteer, his mom, Carmelita, says, “We are blessed and want to spread theword about the importance and need for organ, tissue and eye donation.”

Ruben – DonorRuben was a 3-year-old boy who was born a fighter. He was smart,loved to sing and gave lots of love to all who surrounded him. "LOVEYOU" were his words to every person he encountered. His familyknew he came to this world to do something amazing, and he savedthree lives. What gives them peace is knowing their angel's heartcontinues to beat.

Shantel – Liver RecipientNine-year-old Shantel was born with a chronic

liver disease, and after waiting for nearly a year, shereceived the Gift of Life from a generous donor fam-ily. There aren't enough words for the family to say"thank you," but Shantel says, "Maybe someday Iwill be able to meet them and thank them myself."

Adam R.Aleasha W.Alma H.Amelia R.Andrew C.Andrew P.Angela E.F.Armando V.Arturo E.Benjamin S.C.Bobby D.Braydin W.Carol L.Chuck T.Colby K.Dale C.Daniel O.Daniel S.Daniella C.Danny G.David C.P.

Denise B.Dennerek P.Dion P.Donn M.Drake M.Duhane W.Edward A.Edward A.Elisa T.Elliott D.Emily L.Esther G.Esther S.Ezequiel N.Frances K.Gary M.Gerardo G.Gilberto T.Grayson C.Guadalupe S.Hayden M.Heriberto F.Isabel C.Jacelyn W.Jacob K.

Jason H.Jeffery N.Jeffrey B.Jenni B.Jesus R.Jimmy C.Joanna N.John A.John S.Johnny O.Joselito Y.Joshua D.Judson W.Justin P.Justin M.Keenan H.Keith D.Krizia K.Kyle F.Lindon W.Linn T.Lisa P.Lorenzo L.Lupe S.Maria H.

Maria H.Maria V.Maria A.C.Maria C.Mark P.Mark T.Marshall L.Martin M.Mason C.Maurico M.Max B.Michael B.Michelle W.Miguel B.Misti C.Mylie F.Nico B.Omar D.O'neill S.Paul P.Rae Lynn P.Richard R.Robby M.Robert C.Rodolfo I.

Roel M.Rogelio V.Rosa J.Ruben G.Sabrina V.Samantha P.Sharon L.Sierrah K.Stephanie H.Stephanie B.Stephen Z.Steve S.Sylvia P.Tadarion L.Talaya R.Teila I.Tracy M.Tyler M.William J.William J.Wyatt G.Yaritza F.Yolanda T.

Follow us on:

NORTHERN REGION7000 North Mopac, Suite 160

Austin, Texas 78731(512) 459.4848 O(512) 459.7794 F

SOUTHERN REGION1400 N. McColl Road, Suite 104A

McAllen, Texas 78501(956) 630-0884 O(956) 687-7185 F

CENTRAL REGION (HEADQUARTERS)8122 Datapoint Drive, Suite 200San Antonio, Texas 78229

(210) 614-7030 O(210) 614-2129 F

DONATE LIFE TEXAS REGISTRYwww.DonateLifeTexas.org www.DoneVidaTexas.org

TOSA Honors our 2013 Gift of Life Donors

Contact TOSA:• for more information about organ donation or the Donate Life Texas registry.

• to request a speaker at your church, workplace, school or civic club.

• to become a volunteer and help raise awareness of organ donation.

texas organ sharing alliance insert for san antonio woman

Documents

organ transplant

official organ donors

process of organ donation

alliance tosa

governingboardtexas

san antoniotransplant

tosa data

people whowere