News from St. Louis Second Wind Lung Transplant Association

St. Louis Second Wind

Lung Transplant Association

Newsletter

Volume 10 Issue 12

December 2009

In This Issue

2009 Milestone Year

January Anniversaries

Taylor Porgram Makes Recomendations

Treasurer's Report

Caregiver's Corner

New Photo Library

Calendar

Quick Links

More About Us

Transplant
Glossary

Our Sponsors

Hampton Gardens Apts.

Chris' Pancake and Dining

Housing Options

Almost Home -

Your Home Away From Home

314.503.5219

Barnes Lodge -
Transplant Housing on the Barnes - Jewish Hospital Compus

314.652.4319

Dear Members, Family, and Friends,

During the holidays we spend a great deal of time thinking and planning for the perfect gift to give our loved ones. Then we find ourselves racing from store to store to find it for the cheapest price possible. Great care is taken to use just the right wrappings so the gifts can be as beautiful as possible. Our efforts are rewarded when we see the joy on the faces of those who receive the gifts.

I received my second most remarkable gift this year for Christmas. It didn't require the gift giver to plan, shop, race around or wrap. My special gift came in the form of a telephone call. The call was from my lung donor's sister, Judy. She called to invite me to a family party which took place on a Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, December 5th.

Before meeting Judy and the rest of the extended family, I received a phone call from Judy's son Eric inviting me to meet him at a local coffee shop to get acquainted and talk about the family party. I actually think he was checking me out to make sure I was okay to meet the entire family. I was happy to learn I passed the interview. Eric was so nervous about asking the right questions and making a good first impression. He did a great job. I was impressed. We talked about his uncle Ricky, my donor, and what it was like to receive a double lung transplant. He told stories about his mom and other relatives as a way of introducing them to me before I met them. I told stories about my family and Second Wind.

Eric picked me up and we drove to his family's holiday party. I had a wonderful time meeting Ricky's father and his other brothers and sisters as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The food was good and the company was great!

Judy and I have been exchanging letters since June of 2007, just nine months after my transplant on September 11, 2006.

Warm Regards,

Tom Archer, President

314.664.6360

tea3440@sbcglobal.net

888.855.9463

www.secondwindstl.org

2009 Milestone Year

By Peter Nicastro

The Missouri Organ and Tissue Donor program spent the better part of 2009 working to implement provisions of the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, passed in 2008 by the General Assembly, with our partners in the organ and tissue donation community. The program joins with organ procurement organization on each side of the state including MTS, the Heartland Lions Eye Bank, Missouri Kidney Program, Gift of Life, and the Missouri Department of Revenue to cooperate on all aspects of organ and tissue donation. Together, these groups comprise the Donate Life Missouri Consortium, with the collective goal of increasing the number of Missourians who join the Missouri Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

Much of the Program's work during the current fiscal year concentrated on changes to the registry mandated by the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, including revisions to the Missouri Drivers' License and the creation of the new web portal for organ and tissue donor registration. Following completion of development, the new website, www.missouriorgandonor.com, went live on June 9, 2009. Missourians can now access the registry website 24/7, to join, confirm, edit, or even revoke their registry record, in accordance with their own personal choices. If you have not checked out www.missouriorgandonor.com, do so soon.

Program members were engaged in public education efforts to explain the changes in the registry and promote the online portal. Members communicated in speeches with local groups. Likewise, they wrote to newspapers and magazines like the St. Louis Review to spread the word.

The Program was assisted by contemporaneous distribution of informational brochures by Department of Revenue Fee Offices. Additionally, other Consortium members developed and engaged in their own awareness campaign programs to highlight improvements and changes to the registry. MTS hired the renowned firm Fleishman-Hillard to develop a new marketing and communications campaign. You may have seen the billboards, with the slogan "Show me your ♥" around town. The symbol, a heart with a green ribbon across it, is the same one now placed on driver's licenses for those who indicate that they want to be on the registry when applying for or renewing a license.

In 2010, Program members will be advocating the addition of an income tax check off to support organ donation programs. A check off allows taxpayers to donate all or part of their refund to the program. Several other states have check offs to support organ donation, and many have them in support of a myriad of programs. Program revenue has decreased in current years as the renewal interval for vehicles has lengthened from one to two years, and the check off will help offset that lost revenue as well as provide interested Missouri taxpayers with a more convenient channel from which to support organ donation.

A happy and healthy 2010 to everyone!

January Anniversaries

By Jan and Larry Kwasigroh

Happy New Year to one and all! I remember when 2010 sounded like a title of a George Orwell story and now 2010 just slides off our tongues. We are in central Illinois and had our first real snowfall on December 27^th and 28^th. The glistening snow is beautiful as it covers branches and ground alike. Of course one half of this family doesn't have to shovel the drive and I'm sure the other half has a different outlook.

We have folks who greeted past New Years with easier breathing punctuated with a silent "Thank you." and now happily celebrate that anniversary with each calendar change.

Blessings, peace, and a joyous New Year to you all!

Collaborating to Grow St. Louis Second Wind

By Joshua Stegeman

This past fall St. Louis Second Wind joined with students from Washington University to participate in the Taylor Community Consulting Program. The program is designed to place graduate business students with non-profit groups seeking assistance with their programs. St. Louis Second Wind member Peter Nicastro participated as a student last year and prepared the proposal for St. Louis Second Wind's participation.

Three students chose to work with St. Louis Second Wind to enhance the Lung Walk and the methods used to solicit donations. President Tom Archer and Board member Joshua Stegeman met with the students to discuss the areas where the organization sought assistance.

After several meetings, the students presented their recommendations at the beginning of December. Several board members attended the presentation to hear the students' findings and suggestions.

The students commended St. Louis Second Wind on its dedicated volunteers and members. It also praised the Lung Walk program for its successful results as a major fundraiser.

The students recommended that St. Louis Second Wind continue to innovate its marketing to new members and donors by utilizing multimedia such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and promotion through email and other electronic communication. The students also advised that the website should highlight individuals' personal stories to draw attention and highlight the success of the organization.

The students recommended holding another major promotional/marketing event some time in the summer to promote the organization and its purpose. The event would be primarily focused on educating individuals about the organization, but would also offer an opportunity to collect donations.

The students also suggested teaming with other organizations geared toward raising funds for organ transplant. It is possible Second Wind might be able to raise more money and hold additional events by collaborating with other groups. Finally, the students proposed teaming with local area high schools or colleges to assist in other fundraisers on a volunteer basis.

Essentially the students recommended the organization continue to take advantage of technology and utilize electronic communication and promotion to minimize costs. By holding an additional event and teaming with other groups, Second Wind could expand its awareness and raise more funds for supporting organ transplant.

The Board of Directors will be meeting in February to discuss the possible implementation of some of these ideas. Please feel free to send your own recommendations or suggestions for the organization to consider. Please also let us know if you are interested in volunteering to assist in any of these new opportunities. My email address is stegeman_2nd_wind_lung@yahoo.com

Treasurer's Report

By Linda Nottestad

Because of your generosity Second Wind provided $3,083.21 in assistance during December. The payments were for lodging in St. Louis, food, and gas. The Second Wind Santa Claus also provided $250 in toys to members.

Thank You to Another Pair of Angels Among Us

Joy and Patrick Williamson donated $5,500. to the Second Wind Lung Walk. This enabled us to meet the goal of $40,000. Joy and Patrick have been tremendous supporters of Second Wind, and we are blessed to have them as members.

Christmas Honoraria

For Margarete Wilson from her son and daughter in law, Mike and Sheila Wilson

For Sharon Kelly from her friend, Barbara Deditius

For Ken and Linda Nottestad from their daughter and son in law, Tracey and Jeff Brenner

Welcome New Members

Lawrence (Larry) and Lourdes Sylvester, Florissant, MO

Memorials

In Loving Memory of Robert (Mike) Smith

Herbert and Eunice Bingham, Curt and Dixie Burdett, Jim and Joan Carlson, J and M Crowe, Bernie Dooley, Mike Faley, Sheilah Gaynor, Ed Godsill, Larry and Kathryn Goodwin, Robert and Janet Heinz, Mary Heinzel, Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Columbus #429, Landmark Women's Bowling League, Mary Mallery, Gregory and Mary McAllister, Edward and Margaret Orth, Frank and Patricia Russo, James and Joanne Salmon, Susie Salmon-Smith and David Smith, Edward Smith, Margaret Stueve, Dennis and Nancy Winne, Tom Archer.

In Loving Memory of Richard E. Courter

Anne Courter and Richard F. Courter

In Loving Memory of Sharon Blakeburn

Van Blakeburn

Roger and Lorri Stephens

In Loving Memory of Deborah Ratliff

Jane Ann Sykes

Thank You to Members Who Paid Their Dues

Michael and Lucinda Aberle, Robert Archer, Tom Archer, Pat Ashbridge, Tim and Rene Belford, John and Monica Beuligmann, Thomas Blakeburn, Dixie and Jerry Brayman, Tracey and Jeff Brenner, Linda Britton and William Burnett, Herb and Jeanne Brixey, Donna Brooks, Janice Earl-Combes and Paul Combes, Clyde and Judy Conn, Diana Cook, Anne Courter, Barbara and Gary Deditius, Linda and Philip DeGand, George and Christy Donner, Adam and Peggy Durant, Marian Frentzel, Diana and Daniel Grace, Bill and Peggy Goeddel, Mary Jane and Hank Gross, Dan and Shirley Hammes, Beth Hannaford, Ray and Dolores Hartman, Carolyn and Carl Hastings, Robert and Paula Hutcherson, Carl Johnson, Rita Jones, Sharon and Fred Kelsay, Stephen and Judy Loebl, Tracey Marshall, Betty and Mike Merida, Kathy and Stan Meyer, Allan Miller, E. Hite and Annette Miller, Robert and Linda Miller, Jack and Marianne Norrenberns, Ken and Linda Nottestad, Mame and Randy Nowlin, Tom and Jennifer O'Brien, Ron Peterson, Dwight and Patricia Phillips, Thomas Platnico, Don and Pat Polly, Michael and Kathleen Poole, Gary Porte, Ali Raffa, M.D., Barbara and Richard Rhyner, Robin Stevens-Davis and Eileen Risley, Dot Ritchie, Alice and Jim Scherzberg, Carol and Ron Schwartz, Roy Serpa, Jerry and Margaret Sims, Joshua and Amanda Stegeman, Marty and Debbie Stegeman, Roger and Lorri Stephens, Betty Strange, Phoebe and Joe Tarter, Linda and Randy Toy, Leslie and Glenda Vaughn, Mike and Sue Wallace, Margarete and Ron Wilson, Connie and Charles Winks, Melvin and Rosie Woods, Ann Young.

Special Thanks to Members Who Made a Donation with Their Membership Renewal

Robert Archer, Tom Archer, John and Monica Beuligmann, Thomas Blakeburn, Tracey and Jeff Brenner, Linda Britton and William Burnett, Donna Brooks, Clyde and Judy Conn, Anne Courter and Richard F. Courter, Barbara and Gary Deditius, Linda and Philip DeGand, Marian Frentzel, Diana and Daniel Grace, Mary Jane and Hank Gross,

Raymond and Dolores Hartman, Robert and Paula Hutcherson, Carl Johnson, Stephen and Judy Loebl, Tracey Marshall, E. Hite and Annette Miller, Robert and Linda Miller,

Ken and Linda Nottestad, Mame and Randy Nowlin, Tom and Jennifer O'Brien, Ron Peterson, Don and Pat Polly, Michael and Kathleen Poole, Ali Raffa, M.D., Alice and Jim Scherzberg, Roy Serpa,Joshua and Amanda Stegeman, Marty and Debbie Stegeman, Roger and Lorri Stephens,Mike and Sue Wallace, Connie and Charles Winks, Melvin and Rosie Woods.

Caregiver's Corner

By Jan Kwasigroh

I have changed calendars, on my desk, my wall and in my day planner in my purse. I am current in the new year yet it is really all the same. This is a challenging time of year for many. The mad rush to get ready for the holidays presents a bit of a let down in the days afterwards. And for those not visiting the sunny, warmer areas of the country the lack of sun can offer a rather dismal outlook.

On that cheery note I suggest this is the time to "step out of the box" and work through this. Meeting several friends for lunch (or a late breakfast), go to a movie, walk through the mall (after the return rush is over), take a drive to visit something you haven't taken time for (while in St. Louis we visited the area where the eagles were returning!), or call friends you haven't talked to for some time and catch up on each others life. This is also a superb time to take out your '09 calendar and transfer important dates to your '10 calendar. Note birthdays and make a list so when you go to the mall you can pick up cards and be ready for each special event. When I started doing this I no longer had to send belated cards-unless I forgot where I put them!

One last thought - if you have e-mail subscribe to a joke a day site. There is nothing like a chuckle or two to lift your spirit. And on that note I will leave you with a favorite quote from a Hallmark view on life via Maxine: "If each day is a gift, I'd like to know where to return Mondays!"