From Life Link of GA
Media Information Sheet
Factual information provides the most important content in any story; misinformation about organ and tissue donation can cost lives. Any story mentioning organ and tissue donation or transplantation creates an opportunity to save lives by raising awareness.
Together We Can Raise Awareness
Fact: More than 90,000 Americans are listed for a life-saving organ transplant; thousands more are in need of tissue transplants.
Fact: More than 22,000 African Americans, 12,000 Hispanics, 4,000 Asians, and 2,000 other non-Caucasians are on the national transplant waiting list. More than 3,200 Floridians are listed, more than 1,600 Georgians are listed and more than 500 Puerto Ricans are awaiting their gift of life.
Fact: Our experience shows families are more willing to donate a loved one's organs and tissue if they have talked about it. A family discussion indicating one's wishes helps the families make decisions upon death.
LifeLink is Your Local Resource for Information about Donation & Transplantation
Fact: Donor organs are offered for transplantation based on urgency of medical need, compatible blood type and body size. Political, social or celebrity statuses are not factors.
Fact: Donation is not discussed with a family until all efforts to save a life have failed. Once death has been declared, a family is asked about donating life through organ and/or tissue donation.
Fact: Death occurs in two ways: 1) brain death; and 2) cardiac death. Brain death occurs when a person has an irreversible catastrophic brain injury that causes all brain activity to stop permanently. In such cases, ventilator support can maintain function of the organ systems. However, these functions will cease when the ventilator support is discontinued. Brain death is an accepted medical, ethical and legal principle. Cardiac death is the cessation of heart-lung function. Tissue and bone may be recovered for transplant in either type of death. Organs are usable in cases where brain death occurs.
Media Terminology
Like many aspects of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, terminology is continually updated and changed. Please note the following words or phrases preferred by donor families and transplant recipients.
Deceased - families of organ and tissue donors have asked donor programs and media to refrain from using the term "cadaveric donor." The preferred term is "deceased donor."
Recover/Recovery - out of respect for the heroes who donate life, we ask reporters not to use the term "harvest" when referring to the surgical recovery of lifesaving and enhancing gifts. This word has negative connotations for patients and families. We harvest crops; we recover human organs and tissue for transplant.
Ventilator/ Mechanical Support - A ventilator or mechanical support is the accurate term to use when reporting on organ donation. A deceased donor remains on a ventilator in order to maintain organ function, which enables the sharing of life with others. It is incorrect to state the donor is on life support, as it gives the false impression that an individual remains "alive" so organs can be donated. Deceased donation only occurs when death has been declared and consent has been given.
Donation after Cardiac Death - Everyone has the potential to be a donor. After cardiac death, tissue may be donated for transplantation. In some instances a person may donate organs after cardiac death has occurred. This may happen if the patient has suffered devastating and unrecoverable brain damage resulting in ventilator dependency, the family wanted organ donation to occur, and also decided to withdraw support. Death occurs from cardiac and respiratory arrest and the patient is pronounced. Following death, organ recovery could proceed.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Hi All!
I'm very excited to invite you all to our first fund raiser this year!
Please mark your calendars and save the date form April 25th. At Bear Creek Marina on Lake Jackson. The time is from 12-4pm..but can possibly go later depending on the crowds!!
We will have a lot going on!
Of course we will have some great raffles:
~Charlie Yates Golf Course 2 Rounds of Golf. Donated by Rick Burton GM of East Lake =)
~ Mary Kay basket
~Dinner for 2 donated by the Marina
~Premier Designs Jewelry sales and raffle ( all sales proceeds go to Raising For Ray)
~ Coca Cola Company Basket
~50/50 cash raffle
~ POSSIBLY another fishing trip on Lake Lanier!!
~~~~And many more raffles!!
If you or your business have any item you would like to donate any thing to be raffled or auctioned..PLEASE let me know! Anything is greatly appreciated!
Also....
We will have a Karaoke contest. They details are not set in stone. There will be a small entry fee with LARGE cash prizes!. We are hoping to have 3 categories: Best male, best female and best duet! I will need 3 judges so if you would like to volunteer for that please let me know! This is my first time putting together a karaoke contest!!
Please let me know if you might be interested in entering the contest!
We are in the works of having a band play for an hour or two. We have a few prospects and can not promise..but we are in the works of arranging something with Thomas Tillman maybe!! I spoke with him yesterday and as long as he has that date open, he would love to be there!! YAY!!
If you have a band recommendation, please let me know! We will not be able to pay for a band, since this is a benefit fund raiser, so we gladly appreciate any considerations to any artist or band that would be willing to play and hour or two for free to help us fund raise or donate any memorabilia to raffle off or silent auction. There may be a $5.00 cover charge or " any donation appreciated" accepted depending on the popularity of the band, to add to the fund raising proceeds.
Also, the Bear Creek marina does offer a full bar on Sunday. There is typically a 3.00 charge to drink on Sundays ( Jasper Co. law I guess) and the marina is covering this cost on Ray's behalf so there will be no Sunday fee to purchase an alcoholic drink. Remember Ages 21 and up to drink ( but of course this is a family event to so all ages are welcome to attend!) There is a bar...but is it not just a "bar" setting.
Although Ray does have End Stage Liver Disease aka Cirrhosis, it is not caused by alcohol...which is ironically the leading cause for Cirrhosis. Having drinks on Ray's behalf seems like a funny thought because of his liver, but we are actually trying to see if the Marina will let us have a specialty mixed drink named after Ray and for each one purchased, we would like to have half of the cost go towards the fund raiser. Please give me any idea if you have suggestions on how this works and how to make it do-able!
We are also in the process of having a guest speaker from LifeLink of GA. They are a great organization! Please check out their website on organ donation! http://www.lifelinkfound.org/georgia.cfm
The Monticello Newspaper is doing a cover story on Ray and our fund raising. Please know that this should make the front page in a week or two..any business' or bands affiliated with this benefit will be advertised in the paper for Free! I also plan on having this advertised in the Rockdale and Newton Citizen as well.
We are looking forward to great turn out and a fun filled day!
Any advice, tips, questions or concerns are welcome!
I will update all detaisl as they fall into place, but please keep this date reserved and please feel free to help get the word out!
Thank you all again SO much.
And a very special thank you to my neighbor Mary Alice Carter and District Commissioner Alan Cox for arranging this venue for us!
God Bless,
Krystle, Ray, and Ansley
I'm very excited to invite you all to our first fund raiser this year!
Please mark your calendars and save the date form April 25th. At Bear Creek Marina on Lake Jackson. The time is from 12-4pm..but can possibly go later depending on the crowds!!
We will have a lot going on!
Of course we will have some great raffles:
~Charlie Yates Golf Course 2 Rounds of Golf. Donated by Rick Burton GM of East Lake =)
~ Mary Kay basket
~Dinner for 2 donated by the Marina
~Premier Designs Jewelry sales and raffle ( all sales proceeds go to Raising For Ray)
~ Coca Cola Company Basket
~50/50 cash raffle
~ POSSIBLY another fishing trip on Lake Lanier!!
~~~~And many more raffles!!
If you or your business have any item you would like to donate any thing to be raffled or auctioned..PLEASE let me know! Anything is greatly appreciated!
Also....
We will have a Karaoke contest. They details are not set in stone. There will be a small entry fee with LARGE cash prizes!. We are hoping to have 3 categories: Best male, best female and best duet! I will need 3 judges so if you would like to volunteer for that please let me know! This is my first time putting together a karaoke contest!!
Please let me know if you might be interested in entering the contest!
We are in the works of having a band play for an hour or two. We have a few prospects and can not promise..but we are in the works of arranging something with Thomas Tillman maybe!! I spoke with him yesterday and as long as he has that date open, he would love to be there!! YAY!!
If you have a band recommendation, please let me know! We will not be able to pay for a band, since this is a benefit fund raiser, so we gladly appreciate any considerations to any artist or band that would be willing to play and hour or two for free to help us fund raise or donate any memorabilia to raffle off or silent auction. There may be a $5.00 cover charge or " any donation appreciated" accepted depending on the popularity of the band, to add to the fund raising proceeds.
Also, the Bear Creek marina does offer a full bar on Sunday. There is typically a 3.00 charge to drink on Sundays ( Jasper Co. law I guess) and the marina is covering this cost on Ray's behalf so there will be no Sunday fee to purchase an alcoholic drink. Remember Ages 21 and up to drink ( but of course this is a family event to so all ages are welcome to attend!) There is a bar...but is it not just a "bar" setting.
Although Ray does have End Stage Liver Disease aka Cirrhosis, it is not caused by alcohol...which is ironically the leading cause for Cirrhosis. Having drinks on Ray's behalf seems like a funny thought because of his liver, but we are actually trying to see if the Marina will let us have a specialty mixed drink named after Ray and for each one purchased, we would like to have half of the cost go towards the fund raiser. Please give me any idea if you have suggestions on how this works and how to make it do-able!
We are also in the process of having a guest speaker from LifeLink of GA. They are a great organization! Please check out their website on organ donation! http://www.lifelinkfound.org/georgia.cfm
The Monticello Newspaper is doing a cover story on Ray and our fund raising. Please know that this should make the front page in a week or two..any business' or bands affiliated with this benefit will be advertised in the paper for Free! I also plan on having this advertised in the Rockdale and Newton Citizen as well.
We are looking forward to great turn out and a fun filled day!
Any advice, tips, questions or concerns are welcome!
I will update all detaisl as they fall into place, but please keep this date reserved and please feel free to help get the word out!
Thank you all again SO much.
And a very special thank you to my neighbor Mary Alice Carter and District Commissioner Alan Cox for arranging this venue for us!
God Bless,
Krystle, Ray, and Ansley
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Feb. Update
Good Morning!
Just wanted to send another quick update about Ray!
Ray went to the Mason Clinic Transplant Center at Piedmont on Feb. 16th.
They did more blood work and he has a new Meld score. (The meld score is what I call the liver score, it is how they base your needs for a transplant on a scale of 1-40...with 40 being the worst, and you must have a transplant within a day or two to live).
Before Christmas, Ray was a 12-13. He has been on the transplant list since Thanksgiving, but since he was not at least a 15, he wouldn't qualify for a transplant, unless there was an emergency, like if he got the flu or became very ill...then he would be all ready. Now, we have found out that he is a 16. He is averaging about a point a month increase.
Although comparatively speaking, he is still on the low end of the scale, but we were informed that recently, and it is not common, but there have been a lot of people with score's of 17's and 18's getting transplants. What that means for us: is that it could possibly be just around the corner. Please continue to keep Ray, his liver, and our family in your prayers! With all of this unraveling so fast, it's all we can do to remind ourselves that God is in control and His will will be done.
With his score going up, that also means that it is taking a toll on Ray. For that past almost 2 months now, he has really felt the difference with his score going up. His stomach does hurt and with pressure and bloating and he is very weak and lethargic most days. He is still working, praise the good Lord...but when he gets home he usually falls asleep as soon as he sits down..which is from the liver disease and him being anemic. This also is causing a problem with sleeping at night..even on days where he doesn't sleep during the day, he still has a lot of problem either falling or staying asleep..so it seems lately it has been un-ending circle with his lack of sleep and energy! Please especially keep this in your prayers, Ray needs all the rest and re-couping he can get now!
Some good news...As most of you know, Ray has also been having banding done on his varcies veins in his lower esophagus. His liver disease causes pressure on these veins and they are what the doctors believed to be the bleeding that he experienced when all this started. The pressure from the liver would enlarge them and make them swell and bleed. If they go untreated, they can burst. Typically, this banding procedure takes about 5 rounds. They just go down with an endoscopy tool and put 5 rubber band type things in his veins, each time, working their way down. Ray's veins are doing very well and they became so small and almost back to normal size, that he only had to have 3 banding procedure's done. The last one was Feb. 15Th.
Fundraiser...
We were planning on having another fund raiser at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Conyers, but when I sent in our application for a non profit booth, I found out that they only accept 501(c) 3 organizations, and as you know, for us to be one, we would have to pay between $400-1000 + a year, just to have a license. Unfortunately, we did not think of even asking our church before the deadline past for applications. However, we are in the process of finding another venue for a fund raiser this spring/summer. We are hoping to have some bigger items donated..like a car!! Please keep our fund raiser in your prayers, I have no doubt God will provide and his will be done! If you have any suggestions or know of any business's that would like to get involved in either a donation item to be raffled off or offering a location, please feel free to let me know!
We are also on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=164675942403
We can not thank you all enough for your continued support and prayer. We are HUGE believers in the power of prayer! I am reading '90 Minutes in Heaven' by Don Piper and it re-confirms everything I believe and know about God and prayer. If you have not read it, or it has been a while since you read it, I would highly recommend it! It is amazing and really hits close to home! We are so blessed to have so many family and friends love us and pray for us and be here for us! And we are blessed to have Piedmont Hospital. They really have been a great help and we feel very comfortable there!
Thank you again, for your continued support, prayers, encouragement and donations.
Love In Christ,
Krystle and Ray
Just wanted to send another quick update about Ray!
Ray went to the Mason Clinic Transplant Center at Piedmont on Feb. 16th.
They did more blood work and he has a new Meld score. (The meld score is what I call the liver score, it is how they base your needs for a transplant on a scale of 1-40...with 40 being the worst, and you must have a transplant within a day or two to live).
Before Christmas, Ray was a 12-13. He has been on the transplant list since Thanksgiving, but since he was not at least a 15, he wouldn't qualify for a transplant, unless there was an emergency, like if he got the flu or became very ill...then he would be all ready. Now, we have found out that he is a 16. He is averaging about a point a month increase.
Although comparatively speaking, he is still on the low end of the scale, but we were informed that recently, and it is not common, but there have been a lot of people with score's of 17's and 18's getting transplants. What that means for us: is that it could possibly be just around the corner. Please continue to keep Ray, his liver, and our family in your prayers! With all of this unraveling so fast, it's all we can do to remind ourselves that God is in control and His will will be done.
With his score going up, that also means that it is taking a toll on Ray. For that past almost 2 months now, he has really felt the difference with his score going up. His stomach does hurt and with pressure and bloating and he is very weak and lethargic most days. He is still working, praise the good Lord...but when he gets home he usually falls asleep as soon as he sits down..which is from the liver disease and him being anemic. This also is causing a problem with sleeping at night..even on days where he doesn't sleep during the day, he still has a lot of problem either falling or staying asleep..so it seems lately it has been un-ending circle with his lack of sleep and energy! Please especially keep this in your prayers, Ray needs all the rest and re-couping he can get now!
Some good news...As most of you know, Ray has also been having banding done on his varcies veins in his lower esophagus. His liver disease causes pressure on these veins and they are what the doctors believed to be the bleeding that he experienced when all this started. The pressure from the liver would enlarge them and make them swell and bleed. If they go untreated, they can burst. Typically, this banding procedure takes about 5 rounds. They just go down with an endoscopy tool and put 5 rubber band type things in his veins, each time, working their way down. Ray's veins are doing very well and they became so small and almost back to normal size, that he only had to have 3 banding procedure's done. The last one was Feb. 15Th.
Fundraiser...
We were planning on having another fund raiser at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Conyers, but when I sent in our application for a non profit booth, I found out that they only accept 501(c) 3 organizations, and as you know, for us to be one, we would have to pay between $400-1000 + a year, just to have a license. Unfortunately, we did not think of even asking our church before the deadline past for applications. However, we are in the process of finding another venue for a fund raiser this spring/summer. We are hoping to have some bigger items donated..like a car!! Please keep our fund raiser in your prayers, I have no doubt God will provide and his will be done! If you have any suggestions or know of any business's that would like to get involved in either a donation item to be raffled off or offering a location, please feel free to let me know!
We are also on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=164675942403
We can not thank you all enough for your continued support and prayer. We are HUGE believers in the power of prayer! I am reading '90 Minutes in Heaven' by Don Piper and it re-confirms everything I believe and know about God and prayer. If you have not read it, or it has been a while since you read it, I would highly recommend it! It is amazing and really hits close to home! We are so blessed to have so many family and friends love us and pray for us and be here for us! And we are blessed to have Piedmont Hospital. They really have been a great help and we feel very comfortable there!
Thank you again, for your continued support, prayers, encouragement and donations.
Love In Christ,
Krystle and Ray
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