http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20100810/WDH06/8100329/COLUMN-Transplant-Games-a-success
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Transplant Games a success
Read the column in the Wausau Daily Herald.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20100810/WDH06/8100329/COLUMN-Transplant-Games-a-success
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20100810/WDH06/8100329/COLUMN-Transplant-Games-a-success
Thursday, July 15, 2010
5K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation
Hi Team WI… it’s me again!
If you want to participate in the 5k Run/Walk for Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation on July 31st you’re running out of time to sign up!
Here is the media advisory we sent out about the event, it has all the info you need to get signed up. You have to sign up by the 16th in order to get the discounted preregistration price!
It’s going to be a really great event with wonderful people for an incredible cause! I hope to see you all there!
Here’s the media release…
WHAT: 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation to kick off the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games®
WHEN: Saturday, July 31 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Capitol Square in downtown Madison
INAUGURAL 5K RUN/WALK FOR ORGAN, EYE AND TISSUE DONATION
MADISON - The entire community is invited to join the 7,500 visitors from all over the nation coming to Madison for the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games® by participating in the inaugural 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation on Saturday, July 31 at 9:00 a.m.
The 5K Run/Walk is a way for everyone, not just members of the transplant and donation community, to get involved and raise awareness for the critical need for organ donation. In the U.S. more than 108,000 men, women and children are waiting for a life-saving organ donation. In Wisconsin, more than 1,500 still wait.
“On July 31st, when you say YES I WILL by running, walking or cheering from the sidelines, you will be saying that there is a way to ‘end the wait’ for those who are sick and need a transplant,” said Cindy Huber, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin.
The U.S. Transplant Games are a biennial, Olympic-style event, which began in 1990 and will be held in Madison July 30 – August 4, 2010. The event is a way to not only encourage rehabilitation benefits for transplant recipients, but it is also a unique opportunity for those recipients, along with living donors and donor family members, to gather together and celebrate the gift of life they’ve received, given or watched a loved one give.
“I know firsthand how life changing organ donation is because I donated a kidney to my brother several years ago,” said Jack Salzwedel, President and Chief Operating Officer of American Family Insurance, sponsor of the 5K Run/Walk. “I’d encourage anyone who is interested to attend these events and support the athletes and living donors, and remember those who passed away.”
The 5K Run/Walk gives everyone a chance to celebrate life. At the end of the Run/Walk there will be finish line festivities, sponsored by the Madison Area Lions and Lioness Clubs, including entertainment and awards, food and beverage and a pin trading area.
The deadline to preregister online for $20 is Friday, July 16. To register, go to YesIWillWisconsin.com and click on the run/walk dot. Participants can still register the day of the event for $30.
YES I WILL WISCONSIN t-shirts can also be purchased online and participants are encouraged to sport their spirit by wearing the t-shirt for the event.
The 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation will be an incredible experience for the entire community.
“You will see for yourself the living definition of a ‘second chance at life,’” said Huber about the event.
###
Also, we need your help gaining more media attention in smaller areas. To help promote the critical need for organ donation we need you to reach out to the media and encourage coverage. Your emotional stories of pain and triumph are what will really get people’s attention for this important cause. Here are some tips I wrote up to be sent out in a Team Wisconsin email for contacting your local media.
- Call the newspaper, radio or whatever media outlet in your area that you are hoping to get attention from and ask to speak with a reporter about a story idea you have. They may give you a reporter or they may transfer you to the assignment editor who can take down your information.
- Tell them VERY briefly about the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games® coming to Madison July 30 – August 4. (Just mentioning the fact that they are coming is enough.)The reporter most likely already knows about this so you don’t have to say much about it, the important part is what you will tell them next.
- Next, tell them that you are participating in the games as a transplant recipient, living donor or donor family member. Then tell them a short version of your story. Reporters are usually very busy and under a tight deadline, so you’ll only have about 45 seconds to a minute to tell them about yourself. Key points to hit: what organ you received/donated or how you are related to the issue of organ donation. Explain how organ donation changed your life. Also, let them know, briefly, what you’ve overcome to compete in the Games, emotionally and/or physically. Lastly, tell them what these Games will mean to you and that you are willing to share your story with them if they want to do a preview for the Games. This is just a suggested outline for what to say, you obviously know your story better than I do so if you think other points are key points feel free to share those. Just remember to keep it short.
It may seem like you’re leaving a lot out because you have to be so brief and just hit the very main points of your story to get their attention. But remember, when they decide to do the story, that’s when you get to share everything you want to tell them.
One thing to keep in mind, reporters are people so they do have feelings. If you are able to hit the main points of your emotional story it will tug at them. There are reporters out there who like chasing ambulances, that is true, but many of them enjoy doing stories like these. You have a great message to get out there and a way to empower people and promote organ donation in a way not everyone can and that is very valuable to a reporter. They will love to hear from you. :)
Can’t wait for the Games to begin! They’re almost here! See you all there!
-Emily
If you want to participate in the 5k Run/Walk for Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation on July 31st you’re running out of time to sign up!
Here is the media advisory we sent out about the event, it has all the info you need to get signed up. You have to sign up by the 16th in order to get the discounted preregistration price!
It’s going to be a really great event with wonderful people for an incredible cause! I hope to see you all there!
Here’s the media release…
WHAT: 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation to kick off the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games®
WHEN: Saturday, July 31 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Capitol Square in downtown Madison
INAUGURAL 5K RUN/WALK FOR ORGAN, EYE AND TISSUE DONATION
MADISON - The entire community is invited to join the 7,500 visitors from all over the nation coming to Madison for the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games® by participating in the inaugural 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation on Saturday, July 31 at 9:00 a.m.
The 5K Run/Walk is a way for everyone, not just members of the transplant and donation community, to get involved and raise awareness for the critical need for organ donation. In the U.S. more than 108,000 men, women and children are waiting for a life-saving organ donation. In Wisconsin, more than 1,500 still wait.
“On July 31st, when you say YES I WILL by running, walking or cheering from the sidelines, you will be saying that there is a way to ‘end the wait’ for those who are sick and need a transplant,” said Cindy Huber, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin.
The U.S. Transplant Games are a biennial, Olympic-style event, which began in 1990 and will be held in Madison July 30 – August 4, 2010. The event is a way to not only encourage rehabilitation benefits for transplant recipients, but it is also a unique opportunity for those recipients, along with living donors and donor family members, to gather together and celebrate the gift of life they’ve received, given or watched a loved one give.
“I know firsthand how life changing organ donation is because I donated a kidney to my brother several years ago,” said Jack Salzwedel, President and Chief Operating Officer of American Family Insurance, sponsor of the 5K Run/Walk. “I’d encourage anyone who is interested to attend these events and support the athletes and living donors, and remember those who passed away.”
The 5K Run/Walk gives everyone a chance to celebrate life. At the end of the Run/Walk there will be finish line festivities, sponsored by the Madison Area Lions and Lioness Clubs, including entertainment and awards, food and beverage and a pin trading area.
The deadline to preregister online for $20 is Friday, July 16. To register, go to YesIWillWisconsin.com and click on the run/walk dot. Participants can still register the day of the event for $30.
YES I WILL WISCONSIN t-shirts can also be purchased online and participants are encouraged to sport their spirit by wearing the t-shirt for the event.
The 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation will be an incredible experience for the entire community.
“You will see for yourself the living definition of a ‘second chance at life,’” said Huber about the event.
###
Also, we need your help gaining more media attention in smaller areas. To help promote the critical need for organ donation we need you to reach out to the media and encourage coverage. Your emotional stories of pain and triumph are what will really get people’s attention for this important cause. Here are some tips I wrote up to be sent out in a Team Wisconsin email for contacting your local media.
- Call the newspaper, radio or whatever media outlet in your area that you are hoping to get attention from and ask to speak with a reporter about a story idea you have. They may give you a reporter or they may transfer you to the assignment editor who can take down your information.
- Tell them VERY briefly about the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games® coming to Madison July 30 – August 4. (Just mentioning the fact that they are coming is enough.)The reporter most likely already knows about this so you don’t have to say much about it, the important part is what you will tell them next.
- Next, tell them that you are participating in the games as a transplant recipient, living donor or donor family member. Then tell them a short version of your story. Reporters are usually very busy and under a tight deadline, so you’ll only have about 45 seconds to a minute to tell them about yourself. Key points to hit: what organ you received/donated or how you are related to the issue of organ donation. Explain how organ donation changed your life. Also, let them know, briefly, what you’ve overcome to compete in the Games, emotionally and/or physically. Lastly, tell them what these Games will mean to you and that you are willing to share your story with them if they want to do a preview for the Games. This is just a suggested outline for what to say, you obviously know your story better than I do so if you think other points are key points feel free to share those. Just remember to keep it short.
It may seem like you’re leaving a lot out because you have to be so brief and just hit the very main points of your story to get their attention. But remember, when they decide to do the story, that’s when you get to share everything you want to tell them.
One thing to keep in mind, reporters are people so they do have feelings. If you are able to hit the main points of your emotional story it will tug at them. There are reporters out there who like chasing ambulances, that is true, but many of them enjoy doing stories like these. You have a great message to get out there and a way to empower people and promote organ donation in a way not everyone can and that is very valuable to a reporter. They will love to hear from you. :)
Can’t wait for the Games to begin! They’re almost here! See you all there!
-Emily
Monday, June 28, 2010
Day 7 of the Legacy Tour
Madison
Wow! What a ride this tour has been. We’ve met so many incredible people with such moving stories. Before this tour, I admittedly had no connection to organ donation. I’ve been a registered organ donor since I got my license when I was 16 and it’s always been something I strongly believed in, but still had no personal connection. I would no longer say that. I have so many connections, and they are all of you. I have been so lucky to get to travel around with this tour and meet you all and hear your stories and shake your hands. You have all overcome so much, whether it was losing a loved one and choosing to share them with others so those in need could have a second chance at life, or you yourself received that gift. The strength I’ve seen in all of you is amazing and honestly, life-changing. I wanted to take the time to thank you all for sharing your lives with me and everyone else who reads this blog. It has meant so much to me to be a part of your life even for the short time we met or talked. I have been truly moved.
Now, onto Madison’s event.
Rachel Maske spoke at the event to share her sister’s story. On Dec. 5, 2007 Rachel got a phone call she said she thought only happened in Lifetime movies. The voice on the other line told her that her sister, Becky, was in a coma. Rachel took off for Milwaukee, where Becky was in the hospital, without even knowing how to get there. Soon after arriving, Rachel and her family realized how serious Becky’s condition was.
“It became clear this wasn’t a situation that was going to end with good results, as much as we hoped it would,” said Rachel.
Less than a week after going into a coma, Becky was pronounced brain dead. It turns out she had contracted a viral infection which settled in her head.
The doctors approached Becky’s parents and asked what their wishes were on organ donation. Rachel said her parents never even hesitated. The entire family had already talked about their wishes for themselves if they were in a situation like Becky’s.
“I can’t stress how important it is to talk about donation with your family,” said Rachel. “It’s not a conversation you want to have to have at that stressful point in your life.”
Rachel said the chance to have Becky’s organs donated really helped her family keep going after losing her.
“To keep myself occupied I tried to think about what it was like for those families to hear they have an organ,” she said. “There are two families that get to spend Christmas with their loved ones.”
Rachel will be participating in this summer’s Games for the first time.
“For me the Transplant Games will be a chance to celebrate my sister Becky,” said Rachel.
Rachel and her family will also honor Becky by presenting a patch in her name to Patches of Love: The National Donor Quilt.
Next, Ali Wandschneider, a spirited 11-year-old, shared what the gift of organ donation has meant to her. Ali was born with a disease that caused her to need a new liver.
“My parents were told that someday I was going to need a transplant,” said Ali. “That day came earlier than expected.”
When Ali was three years old her life was threatened.
“But I was one of the lucky ones because my liver transplant came in time,” said Ali.
Ali went on to talk about her life since the transplant.
“I started taking pills when I was three years old,” she said. “It’s not big deal, my daddy has a harder time than I do swallowing pills.”
Ali explained how she is only 11, but her liver is 55 and that it shrank to the size of a three-year-old liver when it was transplanted and now it grows with her.
Ali will be competing in the Games this summer in the badminton and cycling events. She’s also participating in the 5 K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye and Tissue donation.
“I can’t wait,” she said about the Games. “I’m sure I’ll meet a lot of new friends.”
Ali stood on stage in a homemade t-shirt that said ‘Ali, Organ Recipient’ on the front and ‘Thanks!’ on the back.
“I’m so lucky to be here,” she said. “I want to thank Delilah, my organ donor and guardian angel. My organ donation is the best gift anyone can get. I wish more people would donate so more people can be alive.”
At the end of the ceremony, Ali and Rachel passed on the donor quilt panel to the number of representatives for the Madison area Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. The quilt was passed from one representative to the other, before being marched out for the last time until the Games starting in July.
Again, it has been so neat to hear your stories. I am truly inspired by all of your perseverance and never-quit attitudes.
Thanks again to all of you who have taken the time to read this blog and follow us along our tour.
I don’t necessarily want this to be the end of the blog. I will write from time to time leading up to the Games to keep everybody pumped up! :) I know I’m excited for them! So I’ll be back. Check in from time to time and I’ll update you on how things are going as we count down the days left till the Games.
See you there!
Remember, you can save lives: YESIWILLWISCONSIN.ORG
Madison Media Coverage:
WKOW: http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12700262
Channel 15: http://www.wrn.com/2010/06/organ-donation-tour-stops-in-wisconsins-capital-city/
Wow! What a ride this tour has been. We’ve met so many incredible people with such moving stories. Before this tour, I admittedly had no connection to organ donation. I’ve been a registered organ donor since I got my license when I was 16 and it’s always been something I strongly believed in, but still had no personal connection. I would no longer say that. I have so many connections, and they are all of you. I have been so lucky to get to travel around with this tour and meet you all and hear your stories and shake your hands. You have all overcome so much, whether it was losing a loved one and choosing to share them with others so those in need could have a second chance at life, or you yourself received that gift. The strength I’ve seen in all of you is amazing and honestly, life-changing. I wanted to take the time to thank you all for sharing your lives with me and everyone else who reads this blog. It has meant so much to me to be a part of your life even for the short time we met or talked. I have been truly moved.
Now, onto Madison’s event.
Rachel Maske spoke at the event to share her sister’s story. On Dec. 5, 2007 Rachel got a phone call she said she thought only happened in Lifetime movies. The voice on the other line told her that her sister, Becky, was in a coma. Rachel took off for Milwaukee, where Becky was in the hospital, without even knowing how to get there. Soon after arriving, Rachel and her family realized how serious Becky’s condition was.
“It became clear this wasn’t a situation that was going to end with good results, as much as we hoped it would,” said Rachel.
Less than a week after going into a coma, Becky was pronounced brain dead. It turns out she had contracted a viral infection which settled in her head.
The doctors approached Becky’s parents and asked what their wishes were on organ donation. Rachel said her parents never even hesitated. The entire family had already talked about their wishes for themselves if they were in a situation like Becky’s.
“I can’t stress how important it is to talk about donation with your family,” said Rachel. “It’s not a conversation you want to have to have at that stressful point in your life.”
Rachel said the chance to have Becky’s organs donated really helped her family keep going after losing her.
“To keep myself occupied I tried to think about what it was like for those families to hear they have an organ,” she said. “There are two families that get to spend Christmas with their loved ones.”
Rachel will be participating in this summer’s Games for the first time.
“For me the Transplant Games will be a chance to celebrate my sister Becky,” said Rachel.
Rachel and her family will also honor Becky by presenting a patch in her name to Patches of Love: The National Donor Quilt.
Next, Ali Wandschneider, a spirited 11-year-old, shared what the gift of organ donation has meant to her. Ali was born with a disease that caused her to need a new liver.
“My parents were told that someday I was going to need a transplant,” said Ali. “That day came earlier than expected.”
When Ali was three years old her life was threatened.
“But I was one of the lucky ones because my liver transplant came in time,” said Ali.
Ali went on to talk about her life since the transplant.
“I started taking pills when I was three years old,” she said. “It’s not big deal, my daddy has a harder time than I do swallowing pills.”
Ali explained how she is only 11, but her liver is 55 and that it shrank to the size of a three-year-old liver when it was transplanted and now it grows with her.
Ali will be competing in the Games this summer in the badminton and cycling events. She’s also participating in the 5 K Run/Walk for Organ, Eye and Tissue donation.
“I can’t wait,” she said about the Games. “I’m sure I’ll meet a lot of new friends.”
Ali stood on stage in a homemade t-shirt that said ‘Ali, Organ Recipient’ on the front and ‘Thanks!’ on the back.
“I’m so lucky to be here,” she said. “I want to thank Delilah, my organ donor and guardian angel. My organ donation is the best gift anyone can get. I wish more people would donate so more people can be alive.”
At the end of the ceremony, Ali and Rachel passed on the donor quilt panel to the number of representatives for the Madison area Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. The quilt was passed from one representative to the other, before being marched out for the last time until the Games starting in July.
Again, it has been so neat to hear your stories. I am truly inspired by all of your perseverance and never-quit attitudes.
Thanks again to all of you who have taken the time to read this blog and follow us along our tour.
I don’t necessarily want this to be the end of the blog. I will write from time to time leading up to the Games to keep everybody pumped up! :) I know I’m excited for them! So I’ll be back. Check in from time to time and I’ll update you on how things are going as we count down the days left till the Games.
See you there!
Remember, you can save lives: YESIWILLWISCONSIN.ORG
Madison Media Coverage:
WKOW: http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12700262
Channel 15: http://www.wrn.com/2010/06/organ-donation-tour-stops-in-wisconsins-capital-city/
Day 6 Legacy Tour
Milwaukee
The second-last stop on the statewide Legacy of Life Tour takes us to Milwaukee. The event was at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin. The building overlooks Lake Michigan. It was a great location for Milwaukee’s event!
At the event, Janel Lang shared her family’s multiple connections to organ donation.
In Sept. of 2007, Janel Lang waited for a kidney and liver transplant. In the hospital she weighed only 70 pounds. Toxins were building up in her body, and she had to undergo several belly taps to drain the fluid and dialysis to cleanse her blood. The entire time her husband, two kids, relatives and friends made a point to never let Janel wait alone. Someone was always by her side helping her through. Friends sent cards and even cooked meals, anything they could do to help out Janel and her family.
In a story of the experience, written by Janels’ sister-in-law’s partner, Mari, Mari said, “How does one pray for an organ when you know if you prayers are answered that means some other family is in crisis.”
It was, as I’m sure you can imagine, an incredibly difficult time. But on Sept. 24, Janel’s daughter Abby’s birthday, Janel got the call that they had the organs for her. After four months in the hospital and four other false alarms, Janel went into surgery and it was a success!
Janel is now training for a running event at the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games in Madison this summer!
But the Lang family’s story of organ donation doesn’t end there. In June of 2008, Lori Lang, who had been at Janel’s side through her entire transplant experience, even cooking for the staff at Froedtert Hospital where Janel was staying, had a brain aneurysm, and was taken from the Langs at age 43.
In Mari’s written story she remembers Lori as, “full of smiles, spontaneity, support and laughter.”
Lori is now the Lang family’s angel. On June 8th,the family said goodbye to Lori and doctors approached her husband, Dan, asking about organ donation. He didn’t think twice.
“After seeing Janel wait and wait and wait, there was an unspoken understanding and support of organ donation so that no other family would have to agonize over a loved one’s wait on a list,” Mari recalled in her story.
But the Lang family would have yet another organ donation experience. Jodi, Janel’s sister-in-law, had a friend of 25 years in need of a kidney. Jodi right away went to get screened to see if she was a match. She insisted to her friend Kathy not to worry because she knew she would be a match. She was! Jodi gave her friend Kathy her own kidney. The surgery was a success and they are both happy and healthy.
The Lang family’s story is an incredible one of courage, loss, strength and selflessness.
Janel Lang helped present the representatives from the Lions Eye Bank with the next panel in the Paths of Love Donor Quilt.
The event was another success, filled with inspiration and accomplishment.
(Thank you to both Janel and Mari for sharing Mari’s written story with us. I was unable to attend this event, and much of my blog came from Mari’s story. Thanks for sending the story to us Janel, and thank you, Mari for writing it and sharing it.)
The next event is in Madison Wednesday, June 23rd at the Monona Terrace Convention Center! Hope you can come! See you there!
Remember: if you haven’t registered on the on-line donor registry, the site is YESIWILLWISCONSIN.ORG! Sign up and share your wishes with your loved ones!
The second-last stop on the statewide Legacy of Life Tour takes us to Milwaukee. The event was at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin. The building overlooks Lake Michigan. It was a great location for Milwaukee’s event!
At the event, Janel Lang shared her family’s multiple connections to organ donation.
In Sept. of 2007, Janel Lang waited for a kidney and liver transplant. In the hospital she weighed only 70 pounds. Toxins were building up in her body, and she had to undergo several belly taps to drain the fluid and dialysis to cleanse her blood. The entire time her husband, two kids, relatives and friends made a point to never let Janel wait alone. Someone was always by her side helping her through. Friends sent cards and even cooked meals, anything they could do to help out Janel and her family.
In a story of the experience, written by Janels’ sister-in-law’s partner, Mari, Mari said, “How does one pray for an organ when you know if you prayers are answered that means some other family is in crisis.”
It was, as I’m sure you can imagine, an incredibly difficult time. But on Sept. 24, Janel’s daughter Abby’s birthday, Janel got the call that they had the organs for her. After four months in the hospital and four other false alarms, Janel went into surgery and it was a success!
Janel is now training for a running event at the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games in Madison this summer!
But the Lang family’s story of organ donation doesn’t end there. In June of 2008, Lori Lang, who had been at Janel’s side through her entire transplant experience, even cooking for the staff at Froedtert Hospital where Janel was staying, had a brain aneurysm, and was taken from the Langs at age 43.
In Mari’s written story she remembers Lori as, “full of smiles, spontaneity, support and laughter.”
Lori is now the Lang family’s angel. On June 8th,the family said goodbye to Lori and doctors approached her husband, Dan, asking about organ donation. He didn’t think twice.
“After seeing Janel wait and wait and wait, there was an unspoken understanding and support of organ donation so that no other family would have to agonize over a loved one’s wait on a list,” Mari recalled in her story.
But the Lang family would have yet another organ donation experience. Jodi, Janel’s sister-in-law, had a friend of 25 years in need of a kidney. Jodi right away went to get screened to see if she was a match. She insisted to her friend Kathy not to worry because she knew she would be a match. She was! Jodi gave her friend Kathy her own kidney. The surgery was a success and they are both happy and healthy.
The Lang family’s story is an incredible one of courage, loss, strength and selflessness.
Janel Lang helped present the representatives from the Lions Eye Bank with the next panel in the Paths of Love Donor Quilt.
The event was another success, filled with inspiration and accomplishment.
(Thank you to both Janel and Mari for sharing Mari’s written story with us. I was unable to attend this event, and much of my blog came from Mari’s story. Thanks for sending the story to us Janel, and thank you, Mari for writing it and sharing it.)
The next event is in Madison Wednesday, June 23rd at the Monona Terrace Convention Center! Hope you can come! See you there!
Remember: if you haven’t registered on the on-line donor registry, the site is YESIWILLWISCONSIN.ORG! Sign up and share your wishes with your loved ones!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Day 5 of Legacy Tour
Janesville
In Janesville, we met a lot of Team Wisconsin members. We had young and old members meet up with us, some to share their stories, some to thank a donor family that was there and others just to talk to someone who had a similar experience.
The parents of Hailey Rath spoke about the loss of their daughter, but the comfort the opportunity to donate Hailey’s organs has been. On Dec. 10, 2005 Hailey was in a crash leaving her with significant head trauma. When the nurse at the hospital Hailey was taken to entered the critical care unit she politely asked if Hailey’s parents, Jeff and Lisa Rath, were organ donors. They explained they were and the nurse asked if they wanted Hailey’s organs donated.
“It was a very difficult decision,” said Lisa Rath. “Because that meant we were letting Hailey go.”
Hailey’s parents remember her love for animals and people and her big heart.
That heart went to a girl Hailey’s age in Michigan. A girl who, this year, was able to graduate because of the gift Hailey gave to her. A white rose sat on Hailey’s chair at her own graduation this year, placed there by her brother.
Hailey’s kidneys and liver stayed in Wisconsin, and her tissue touched the lives of 72 other people in need.
“It helps us in the grieving process, knowing what an impact our daughter has had,” said Jeff. “Life is a precious thing, not only to lose, but to pass on… It’s a tough thing, it’s a great thing, living everyday knowing Hailey has touched so many lives and saved three.”
Kaitlyn Simpson knows how precious the gift of a heart can be, she received one, twice. When Simpson was born she was missing the right side of her heart. In the hospital she slept 22 hours a day until she was 9 weeks old when she received a new heart. Things were going well, until she was four and a tooth infection attacked her immune system and then her heart. Simpson was back on a waiting list again. This time she waited six months. Now, her second gift of life is beating just fine.
“There’s nothing I can’t do,” said 12-year-old Simpson, standing in front of the crowd with a smile on her face and her mom and sisters cheering her on.
But Simpson’s story doesn’t end there.
“Life is so very precious,” she said. “I like to make a difference.”
So that’s exactly what she’s doing. Simpson takes photos of animals and sells them, raising money to vest police dogs. She has already vested two k-9 dogs and is working on her third. The vests cost more than $800 each.
With that, Simpson encouraged everyone in the crowd to make a difference too.
“Everyone here can make a difference as well,” she said. “You can choose to be an organ donor.”
After her speech, a number of people signed up on the online donor registry at the computer kiosks set up in the conference room of the Hedburg Public Library. (YesIWillWisconsin.org)
Also watching Simpson speak was kidney transplant recipient Ruth Armstrong. Armstrong received a kidney from her own daughter, who refused to accept the ‘no cure’ diagnosis her mother received more than two years ago.
“Hearing that I had a kidney disease with no cure it was like ‘Are you talking to me?!’” remembered Armstrong.
Armstrong’s daughter, a nurse, went online and found out her mom could live if she received a kidney. In March 2008, she gave her mother that gift.
“It was wonderful,” said Armstrong. “ I woke up and the fog was gone. My granddaughter was holding my hand, my daughter already walking down to the room saying, ‘Let’s go mom. Let’s go walking.’”
Armstrong said her already close relationship with her daughter is now even closer.
“We’re real buds,” she said.
And her family has learned to not take time for granted.
“I think the whole family, we live each day, we try to have fun each day.”
Armstrong is training to do the biking events in this summer’s Games.
Other team Wisconsin members at the event were Kellen, who received a kidney from his dad and will be swimming in the Games, Zachary who lifted his arms up in celebration as everyone in the room cheered, hearing he is a double lung, heart recipient all when he was only 22 months old and Wil, a kidney recipient who will be biking in the Games for his second time.
The Team Wisconsin members presented the Lion’s Eye Bank representatives with a panel of the donor quilt.
“It’s a really great project because Helen Keller asked us to be knights to the blind and I think this is a true knights to the blind project,” said Daryl Porter, Chairman of the Beloit Noon Lions.
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