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| Fact |
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More than
100,000 people in the United States are on the waiting list for a lifesaving transplant.
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| Show Your Support |
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Want to know a simple way to support the Foundation?
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| Thank you, volunteers! |
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The following volunteers dedicated more than 20 hours each to the Foundation in 2008. We thank them for their generous support.
Brandon Hill
Mark Lane
Catherine McKinnies
Robin Mitchell
Anne Mukhar
Diane Silverberg
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| Save 3 Lives |
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Did you know that up to three lives can be saved with a single blood donation?
January is National
Blood Donor Month. Participate in this important cause by finding a location to donate near you.
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| In the News |
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The Foundation garnered great media coverage in 2008 with more than 20 news stories. Visit our website to view our recent media coverage.
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| Attention, Graphic Designers! |
Interested in entering a contest to design the winning Team Transplant bike jersey for the upcoming Elephant Rock Ride? If so, email Katie to learn more. | |
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Greetings!
I am excited to welcome the American Transplant Foundation's friends and supporters to our introductory newsletter, which will be issued quarterly. Inside you will find up to date information on Foundation events and activities, transplant news, and heartwarming stories. Read on to find out about how you can sign up to be part of Team Transplant at the Elephant Rock Ride, about our new patient assistance program, and about how we are increasing organ donor registration rates.
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| Join Us at Elephant Rock |
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Ride with Team Transplant to save lives!
Join the American Transplant Foundation's team for Elephant Rock, the unofficial start to the Colorado cycling season, on Sunday, June 7th in Castle Rock, Colorado! This fundraiser will raise awareness about those in need of a lifesaving transplant and will prove that recipients and living donors can lead healthy, active lives.
Five different courses make this event perfect for cyclists of any level, including kids. Just $50 in fundraising is required to join the team, and riders who raise $250 or more will receive a special Team Transplant bike jersey. Entry to all courses is limited, so reserve your spot by registering online today!
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| New: Patient Assistance Program |
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Special fund to help transplant patients
 The Foundation is excited to unveil the new Patient Assistance Program. Funded exclusively through donations made in honor and in memory of loved ones, these monies will be earmarked to provide one-time financial assistance to transplant patients on a case-by-case basis. For example, in order to receive a transplant a patient must have a clean dental bill of health, but not everyone has dental coverage or can afford a trip to the dentist. By working closely with the area transplant centers, the Foundation will be taking case referrals and requests and, based upon funds availability and patient eligibility, will provide assistance to those most in need.
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| Increasing Donor Registration |
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Foundation works with the State Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) to increase donor registration
Increasing the number of registered donors is an ongoing effort, so the Foundation focuses on ways to make donor registration more mainstream and accessible. The newest point of access is through the State of Colorado website at Colorado.gov. Whereas previously only registered drivers who were renewing their licenses online could register to be organ donors, now everyone who accesses the Division of Motor Vehicles page can do so if they click on New Residents, Teen Driver, Adult Driver, or Online Services. The link to the Colorado Donor Registry will be tracked to measure its success in providing yet another way for citizens to register their intent. In the coming months, we will expand donor registration access to other state agencies throughout the site.
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| A Life Saved: Ike's Story |
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| Somewhere out there, there's a family that saved my life.
"Within 24 hours of my transplant, I went from a 57-year-old with congestive heart failure to a man with a perfectly healthy heart. As I lay in the hospital bed... I smiled because I had a life ahead of me. I no longer had to worry about dying."
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I welcome your feedback and suggestions on our newsletter. Also, please forward our newsletters to your family, friends and colleagues so that they, too, can sign up and be part of something great. I look forward to your continued support in 2009. Sincerely,
Heidi A. Heltzel
Executive Director, American Transplant Foundation |
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