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IN THE NEWS: The top organ, eye and tissue donation stories from around the nation in April
April’s biggest organ, eye and tissue donation news and stories from around Colorado, Wyoming and the US:
Crash Victim’s Family Thanks First Responders, Touts Organ Donation
The family of Cody Crosby thanked first responders. Nearly four years ago, Cody Crosby died when the car he was riding in hit an abandoned truck that was parked on the ramp at I-70 and Wadsworth. Crosby was a registered organ donor and his death saved the lives of three others. Watch the story here.
Hall of Famer Rod Carew’s heart transplant came from a former NFL player
Hall of Famer Rod Carew underwent a successful heart and kidney transplant in Los Angeles in December. Carew, now 71, had been using a mechanical device to pump blood following a massive heart attack in September 2015. According to Garrett Downing, the heart and kidney Carew received came from former NFL player Konrad Reuland. Reuland, who played for four teams during his career, died at 29 due to a brain aneurysm in December. Read more.
Transplant touchdown: Gavin Maxwell, new liver control the gridiron
After a rare diagnosis, Gavin Maxwell received a new liver. He and his family battled back to normalcy, but there was one catch: Gavin couldn’t play football. That was a though-blow for the then 10-year old who still calls the sport his favorite. However, he was wise beyond his years and didn’t take no for an answer. Gavin became the youngest official within the Sheridan Recreation District’s Little Guy Football program. Read more.
For Lead native, organ donation lifelong passion
Sue Dunn is the president and CEO of Donor Alliance, a Denver-based organ procurement organization that serves Colorado and most of Wyoming. She was recently elected vice president/president-elect of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing board of directors. Read more.
After Cheating Death Twice, Ironman Powers Through Races with Another Person’s Heart
Heart transplant recipient Derek Fitzgerald runs, bikes and swims for a reason: “to be the best custodian of my body.” Within two years of his transplant, Fitzgerald became the first American heart transplant recipient to endure the 2.4-mile swim, 112 mile-bike ride, and marathon that make up an Ironman triathlon. Read more.
Spotlight on the DMV: Colorado DRIVES
Over the last three years, the Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been upgrading its information technology (IT) systems, which includes online services. On February 21, 2017, the first phase of Colorado DRIVES (Driver License Record Identification Vehicle Enterprise Solution) was successfully launched replacing the decades old Driver License System (DLS). But what does it mean?
Quite simply, as an effort to support the Governor’s plan to reduce wait times, the internal IT computer systems used by DMV and County employees to issue driver licenses, permits and ID cards and register your car will become more flexible, reliable accurate and provide an integrated solution for both driver and vehicle services. The vehicle services will be upgraded in August 2018, replacing a system installed between 1983 and 1988. In addition, the new IT system will offer dramatically more services online.
With the implementation of the first phase of the Colorado DRIVES system, there are 11 new online services available. The new slogan, “Skip the trip to the DMV with online services!” reminds Colorado residents that the DMV has made it easy to complete many essential tasks, including renewing your driver license and vehicle registration. You can also make an appointment, update your address, request your driving record and more, all online! There are some parameters that must be met in order to renew online, so be sure to visit the DMV website to prepare for your renewal, whether in person or online.
Celebrating National Donate Life Month with Joey Gase at the Denver Auto Show
This year, Donor Alliance kicked-off National Donate Life Month in Colorado with NASCAR driver, Joey Gase at the Denver Auto Show. Joey was only 18 when he made the courageous decision to donate his mother’s organs after she suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm in 2011. He now races in her honor and has since become a passionate advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation.
Denver Auto Show attendees of all ages visited the Donor Alliance booth April 5-9 to ‘show their hearts’ for organ, eye and tissue donation by painting a red heart on Joey’s car. Many people came up to the car with their driver licenses out, ready to paint. Joey took time to sign autographs and take pictures with everyone that stopped by the booth. The result was not only thousands of meaningful conversations where people walked away having learned something new; we were also able to register 16 new donors, 12 of whom had previously said no.
If you weren’t able to make it out to celebrate National Donate Life Month at the Denver Auto Show, there are still plenty of celebrations throughout the month where Coloradans can ‘show their hearts,’ including this week. April 15-21, Coloradans can get discounts from local businesses for showing the hearts on their license or wear blue and green in celebration of National Donate Life Month. Visit our Show Your Heart and Save Week page for a list of participating locations.
In Colorado, there are currently nearly 2,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and hundreds more that could benefit from eye and tissue donations. You can help by saying “yes” at the driver license office or Driver Services, or anytime at Donate Life Colorado.
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Transplant touchdown: Gavin Maxwell, new liver control the gridiron – The Sheridan Press, Sheridan, WY
Shay and Willy Maxwell didn’t know that alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was in their genes. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a disease that often affects the liver and/or lungs. There were no signs of the disease in their lives and no history of the disease anywhere along the family tree. But it’s a genetic disease that struck their son, Gavin, and was diagnosed when the boy was 1.
IN THE NEWS: The top organ, eye and tissue donation stories from around the nation in March
March’s biggest organ, eye and tissue donation news and stories from around Colorado, Wyoming and the US:
House votes unanimously to add John Buckner’s name to organ donor awareness fund
The vote approved a surprise third-reading amendment offered by state Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver, to House Bill 1027, sponsored in the House by Buckner and state Rep. Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan, and in the Senate by state Sens. Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, and Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs. The bill heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more.
Coloradans have blindness cured by cornea transplants
For part of their lives, they couldn’t see, but now the Denver community can get a glimpse of their lives through their eyes. Coloradans whose blindness was cured by cornea transplant are displaying their work in a new exhibit. Watch the story here.
People with autism, intellectual disabilities fight bias in transplants
Paul Corby needs a new heart. But Corby, who lives in Pottsville, Pa., is autistic, suffers from several psychological conditions and takes 19 medications. When he applied to the transplant program at the University of Pennsylvania in 2011, he was rejected because of his “psychiatric issues, autism, the complexity of the process . . . and the unknown and unpredictable effect of steroids on behavior,” according to the denial letter sent to his mother. Read more.
Researchers discover test for earlier detection of transplant rejection
Researchers have discovered a method that appears to provide earlier warning of organ transplant rejection compared to standard methods, and requires only a blood test rather than a more invasive and painful needle biopsy. Read more.
NASCAR Driver Joey Gase Kicks Off National Donate Life Month in Wyoming
On Monday, April 3rd, NASCAR Driver, Joey Gase, came to Wyoming to help kick-off National Donate Life Month at Old Chicago in Cheyenne. Joey was only 18 when his mother, Mary Jo, died of a brain aneurysm in 2011, and he made the decision to donate her organs and tissues. He races in her honor and is now as passionate about promoting organ, eye and tissue donation as he is about racing. When he isn’t racing, he travels around the country to raise awareness of the need for people to register as donors.
Wyomingites of all ages came out to meet Joey and to ‘show their hearts’ for organ, eye and tissue donation by painting a red heart on his car. Joey took time to sign autographs and take pictures with everyone that attended the event. “This is my first time in Wyoming and it’s really great to see such strong the support for organ, eye and tissue donation. Anytime we can raise awareness and get more people to join the registry it's a great thing," said Gase.
Throughout the month of April there are a series of celebrations at which Wyomingites can ‘show their hearts’, including a week of discounts from local businesses for residents who show the hearts on their licenses or wear blue and green in celebration of National Donate Life Month.
Here in Wyoming, there are nearly 200 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and hundreds more that could benefit from eye and tissue donations. Show Your Heart in support of organ, eye and tissue donation during National Donate Life Month. Register to be a donor at Driver Services or visit DonateLifeWyoming.org to sign-up anytime. #ShowYourHeartWY
Coroner’s Corner: Dr. James Caruso, Denver Co. Medical Examiner
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Dr, James Caruso, Denver Co. Medical Examiner[/caption]
Q&A with Dr. James Caruso, Denver County Medical Examiner
When did you know you wanted to become a medical examiner?
I knew in high school that I wanted to be a physician. While in medical school I strongly considered Pathology as a specialty, but I first had to serve as a primary care physician in the Navy for 5 years before beginning my Pathology training. I completed my Pathology training at Duke University Medical Center and served as a hospital Pathologist before completing a fellowship in Forensic Pathology. I thought Forensic Pathology would be the perfect way to combine my experience in Military Medicine with Pathology. I served as a Forensic Pathologist in the military for 12 years before retiring from the Navy and taking the Chief Medical Examiner job in Denver.
Do you have a personal tie to organ and/or tissue donation?
My father was infected with Hepatitis C Virus as the result of a blood transfusion in the 1980s. He eventually developed liver failure and received a liver transplant, which gave him an additional 10 years of life and the opportunity to meet his grandchildren. Also, as a pathologist, I routinely looked at pre-transplant biopsies and clinical test results as well as explanted organs. Duke has an extremely busy organ transplant program.
Why is donation and transplantation is so important to you?
The supply of transplantable organs is unfortunately limited by the list of eligible and consenting donors. The demand far exceeds the supply and people die every day while waiting for a transplant. I watched my father’s condition deteriorate as he awaited a second liver as Hepatitis C ravaged the new liver over time. In the end, my father was too ill to survive another transplant because the limited supply of organs dictates that potential recipients move up the list very slowly. As a perform an autopsy on a young person who died of trauma I frequently reflect on how pristine the organs appear and that they would be lifesaving for someone on the transplant list.
What is the one thing you would want others to know about your work?
Despite the usual jokes or comments about how morbid it is, my work is extremely important in providing families with answers and closure, assisting law enforcement with the investigation of deaths that occurred due to criminal acts, and identifying potential safety issues or threats to the public welfare. I also provide answers to my clinical colleagues who were taking care of the decedent in a medical setting.
What are you most proud of?
I spent nearly 30 years in the military and served on ships and overseas including Iraq and the Persian Gulf. I am also very proud of the two daughters that my wife and I have raised. They have lived all over but have fallen in love with Colorado.
What do you like to do in your free time (hobbies)?
I like to travel and fish as well as work out. I am a rabid hockey fan and season ticket holder for the Avalanche.
Staff Spotlight: Keenan Heyde
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Keenan Heyde, Donation Consultant[/caption]
We’re so proud to work with each and every one of our staff members here at Donor Alliance. In our Staff Spotlight, we like to take a minute to let you learn more about who we are and why we work at Donor Alliance.
Name: Keenan Heyde
Position: Donation Consultant
Years at Donor Alliance: 13 years
Why you chose to work at Donor Alliance: I wanted to continue my work in donation (I worked at Bonfils Blood Center before DA) because this field is something I am very passionate about.
Why do you like working at Donor Alliance: I am honored to help fulfill our mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation every day. I am truly fortunate to work at Donor Alliance.
What does donation and transplantation mean to you: Saving lives, supporting grieving families, and helping honor the wish of all of those people who want to be donors.
Any direct connection to donation and transplantation: I was a long time platelet donor and was asked to participate in a granulocyte donation. I actually had to follow a 5 day regimen of prednisone before I could donate. I was told my recipient was a young cancer patient who needed these white blood cells. It was a powerful moment when I was told about my recipient. From that point on, I wanted to be more involved with the donation world.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working: I enjoy cycling, coaching a U14 girls soccer team, hiking, playing with my crazy dogs and exploring the Colorado craft beer scene.
Kick Off National Donate Life Month with NASCAR Driver Joey Gase at Old Chicago in Cheyenne!
Donate Life Wyoming is proud to partner with NASCAR driver, and organ, eye and tissue donation advocate, Joey Gase, to encourage Wyoming residents to Show Your Heart for National Donate Life Month this April. Joey will be at the Old Chicago at 1734 Meadowland Dr. in Cheyenne on Monday, April 3rd from 5pm-7pm to show his appreciation for supporters of organ, eye and tissue donation. Show the hearts on your driver license for the chance to meet Joey and paint a heart on his car.
Gase was only 18 when his mother, Mary Jo, died of a brain aneurysm in 2011, and he made the decision to donate her organs and tissues. He races in her honor and is now as passionate about promoting organ, eye and tissue donation as he is about racing.
Here in Wyoming, there are nearly 200 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and hundreds more that could benefit from eye and tissue donations. You can Show Your Heart in support of organ, eye and tissue donation during National Donate Life Month. Register to be a donor at the event on April 3rd or visit DonateLifeWyoming.org to sign-up anytime. #ShowYourHeartWY
Meet NASCAR Driver Joey Gase at the Denver Auto Show!
Donate Life Colorado is proud to partner with NASCAR driver, and organ, eye and tissue donation advocate, Joey Gase, to encourage Colorado residents to Show Your Heart for National Donate Life Month this April. Visit the Donate Life Colorado booth at the Denver Auto Show from April 5-9 to Show Your Heart for organ, eye and tissue donation by painting a heart on Joey’s car. Gase himself will be on hand on the evening of Wednesday, April 5th to show his appreciation for registered organ, eye and tissue donors.
Gase was only 18 when his mother, Mary Jo, died of a brain aneurysm in 2011, and he made the decision to donate her organs and tissues. He races in her honor and is now as passionate about promoting organ, eye and tissue donation as he is about racing.
Here in Colorado, there are more than 2,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and thousands more that could benefit from eye and tissue donations. You can Show Your Heart in support of organ, eye and tissue donation during National Donate Life Month. Register to be a donor at the Denver Auto Show or visit DonateLifeColorado.org to sign-up anytime. #ShowYourHeartCO
Advocate Spotlight: Allison McKissen
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Allison McKissen - Donor Mother[/caption]
Donor Alliance volunteers and advocates are the heart and soul of our efforts to inspire and inform our community about the importance of registering as organ, eye and tissue donors in Colorado and Wyoming. Each of our volunteers and advocates has their own unique and inspiring story to tell. This month, we are featuring Allison McKissen, a Donor Mother from Grand Junction, CO.
What has been your favorite memory volunteering for Donor Alliance?
I chose to volunteer with Donor Alliance because I am a donor mom. My son, Tanner, was very passionate about organ donation and was a successful donor. I want to carry that passion forward by advocating for, and educating others, on this wonderful cause.
If you could go on an all-expenses paid vacation, where would you go and why?
If I could go on an all-expenses paid vacation, I would take my daughter on a Caribbean cruise. We have been through a lot together, and going on a cruise is her dream vacation...although I wouldn't mind it much myself!
If you could have lunch with anyone, who would you choose?
If I could have lunch with anyone it would be Abraham Lincoln.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
If I won the lottery, the first thing I would do is buy a house outright!
What is your favorite season and why?
My favorite season is spring because it is a time of new growth and renewed beauty. Spring has a beautiful energy to it!
What is the last great book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?
The last book I read was "Homer's Odyssey". It was a wonderful story about a blind cat and his journey through life. I would definitely recommend it.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of advice I ever received came in the form of this quote, "Stand like mountain, flow like water." For me, this is my reminder to flex, learn, live, experience, and grow while standing up for what I believe in and always staying true to myself.