A common myth that deters some people from registering as an organ and tissue donor is that he or she is too old to donate their organs. That simply isn’t true! People in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond can save lives! Despite the facts, nearly a quarter of people 65 and older think that they are too old to donate an organ, according to a Gallup survey.

In observance of Older Americans Month in May, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in partnership with the Administration on Aging and the National Institutes of Health launched a campaign to educate post 50 year olds and encourage them to become organ and tissue donors. The campaign will include brochures, radio spots, advertisements, and web banners.

In a recent press release, Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H., assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said, “It’s important for everyone to know any age can be the right age to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Imagine how many more lives we could save if the majority of the more than 99 million Americans 50 years old, or older signed up to give the gift of life.”

In the past, adults well into their 90s have successfully donated organs. In 2011, people 50 and older accounted for 60 percent of the total number of transplants. These generous donations, as well as the donations from all ages, help to extend and enhance the lives of thousands of people in need of a transplant.

2012 Jessica Beth Schwartz Memorial Scholarship Winners

On Sunday, March 18^th, Janice Schwartz-Donahue stood at a podium in front of 200 fellow volunteers and announced that she was giving away $20,000 in scholarship money.  Janice spoke of her daughter, Jessica Beth Schwartz, in which the scholarship is named after.

Janice told the crowd that just a few days after her daughter was born in January 1980, doctors diagnosed Jessica with congenital heart disease.  By the time Jessica turned 14, she was unable to attend school on a regular basis as her heart and body began to slow down.  Doctors told Janice that her daughter needed a heart transplant to survive.  Jessica was hospitalized and added to the national transplant waiting list.

In September 1994, Jessica received the gift of lift she had patiently waited for, a new heart.  Jessica had renewed life with her transplant, but also had new medical problems dealing with acute and chronic rejection.  However, Jessica was determined to attain her goal of attending college so she enrolled at Temple University at the age of 18, with a major in Journalism.  But, Jessica’s battle against acute and chronic rejection was overwhelming. Jessica died while she was a student at Temple University age the age of 23.

After Jessica’s untimely death, friends and family members made donations to Gift of Life Donor Program in her name.  Janice wanted to help other children like Jessica achieve their dreams, so she and her family created the Jessica Beth Schwartz Memorial Scholarship.  The scholarship of $2,500 provides tuition money to students who have had solid organ transplants and are planning on attending college or trade school.

The 2012 scholarship was awarded to 8 students on March 18^th, totaling $20,000.  Each of the recipients of the scholarship received their life-saving transplants in the Philadelphia region and plan on continuing their education post high-school

Antonia Spano, a Bethlehem resident, had a life saving heart transplant at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children when she was just four days old. Spano will be graduating from Liberty High School in June and is currently a dual enrollment student attending Northampton County Community College, where she will continue in the fall.  Spano also co-chaired the Lehigh Valley Heart Walk when she was 10 years old and again at the age of 15, completing more than 135 hours of community service.

“I want to raise awareness because I know that since I was so close to death, others will be as well in the future and, definitely today,” wrote Spano in her entry essay.

Her life-saving transplant was covered in The Morning Call in 1997, when Spano was only three-years-old. http://articles.mcall.com/1997-04-13/news/3151224_1_new-heart-heart-transplant-anti-rejection.

Jacob Koerber, a Lancaster resident, was also a recipient.Koerber, a Hempfield High School senior, received a life saving kidney transplant at the age of five. He is currently involved playing the cello with the Hempfield Symphony Strings and traveled to Europe with American Music Abroad. He will be attending Messiah College in the fall.

“I want to go to school for nursing because I want to help people the way other people have helped me,” wrote Koerber in his entry essay.

Another scholarship recipient was Kayla Havens, a Nanticoke resident. After a two-year illness and more than a year on dialysis, Kayla had a life changing kidney transplant in 2009. Havens plans on attending Kings College in the fall. In addition to her studies, she recently assisted the Make a Wish Foundation in making a child’s wish come true, to pay forward the wish she was granted while ill.

“While this journey has been difficult, it has made me who I am today,” wrote Havens in her entry essay. “I live life to the fullest and try to make someone’s life a little happier every day.”

Several scholarship recipients were from the city of Philadelphia.

Kelsey-Lynne Keen, a Philadelphia resident, was one of the scholarship recipients. Kelsey had a life saving heart transplant when she was five-years-old. Prior to her surgery, Keen was not expected to live without a transplant.

“I was told that I wasn’t expected to make it through the night, but one the doctors didn’t know about me was that I am a fighter,” wrote Keen in her entry essay.

Keen graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School in 2010 and has been busy working and volunteering for the last few years.  She plans on attending Jean Madeline Aveda Institute for Cosmetology starting this summer.

Alicia Goodchild, a Philadelphia resident, was born with kidney disease and needed to use a feeding tube for the first 4 years of her life. Goodchild received a life saving kidney transplant form her mother when she was eight-years-old. Her father is also a heart transplant recipient. She is a graduate of Philadelphia Academy Charter School and is currently attending Community College of Philadelphia in order to become a pediatric nurse.

 “I hope that in the near future I can help children with transplants, cancer or other illnesses survive their struggles in the hospitals and send them home,” wrote Goodchild in her entry essay.

Rosanna White, a Philadelphia resident, had a life saving liver transplant at the age of six.  Her donor liver was split to save not only Rosie’s life, but also the life of a baby girl name Yolanda. White attends Creative and Performing Arts High School and has been accepted to SVA School of Visual Arts in New York.

“The emotional impact of my liver transplant inspires the one thing that I love to do most; artwork,” wrote White in her entry essay. “It also instills in me an appreciation for and love of life, generosity, and courage to reach my goals to get the most out of my second chance of life.”

Richard Paul, a Philadelphia resident, has lived in the world of organ transplant and donation his entire life. He was born suffering from end stage kidney disease and needed a life saving kidney.  He had to wait until he was 22 pounds to receive a kidney from his father in August of 1986 at age when he was three. That kidney lasted for 16 years in which he required an additional transplant.  Rick’s second kidney transplant came in 2003.  Paul attends Community College of Philadelphia.  He hopes to get his Associates Degree in Accounting and possibly move to a four-year college.

“I have overcome many obstacles in my life, but I do not like to dwell on these things,” wrote Paul in his essay.

The final scholarship was Whitestone, New York resident Jacqueline Robins. Robins had a liver transplant at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, when she was just nine months old. She is an accomplished musician and is also involved in BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organization) as Vice President of Social Action.  She says she would feel very comfortable and inspired to lead programs advocating for organ donation and appreciation for those who do give the gift of life. Robins will be attending University of Maryland Honors College in the fall.

“Being a transplant patient, I have been given an ability to see the world through a different lens,” wrote Robins in her entry essay. “The gift of having a transplant and music has given me an incredible sense of understanding of myself and the complex world around me.”

In the nine years since Jessica’s death, Janice and her family have raised over $90,000 dollars and given scholarship money to more than 20 children.  The funds are raised at the annual “Jessie’s Day,” held each September which is a late afternoon celebration that includes food, drinks, music and a silent auction.  The 2011 Jessie’s Day raised over $17,000.

While Jessica’s life ended too soon, her dreams will not as her legacy is continuing by helping dozens of other organ transplant recipients complete higher education degrees.

To learn more about Jessie’s Day and the Jessica Beth Memorial Scholarship, click here.

Over 30,000 men, women and children in the United States are suffering from cystic fibrosis. It is a life threatening genetic disease in which breathing and daily living is difficult to endure.

Cystic Fibrosis causes mucus to build up and clog certain organs in a person’s body, especially the lungs and pancreas. The thick mucus makes it difficult to breathe, and also leads to bacterial infections which can cause lung damage.

More than 45% of all Cystic Fibrosis patients are under the age of 18 in the United States. According to the CF Foundation, the average life span of a patient of cystic fibrosis was in the mid-30s. Because of continued research and awareness, life expectancy of patients are growing, although there is no cure for the disease at this time.

Cystic Fibrosis patients have been able to receive lung transplants to prolong their life and to improve their breathing. According to the CF Foundation, nearly 2,800 people with Cystic Fibrosis have received lung transplants since 1990. Between 150-200 patients have received lung transplants per year throughout the past five years.

During Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, take time to learn about how you and your community can help aid research studies so that new treatments, and eventually a cure can be found to extinguish Cystic Fibrosis. Visit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website to learn how you can raise awareness and give hope the thousands!

To learn more about lung transplantation, visit our website.

Today we share the story of how one local company is honoring the memory of one of their own by celebrating the gift of life he was able to give through organ donation. Danny Glover was only 24 when his life was cut short in late January 2012.  Although he had only worked at Troegs Brewery for a short amount of time, his compassionate and kind personality left a lasting impact on his co-workers. Ed Yashinsky, Brewery Manager, shared why Troegs decided to create a special brew in Danny’s memory, and donating a portion of each sale to Gift of Life Donor Program.

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How was Danny Glover part of the Troegss brewing family?

Danny worked at Troegs on the packaging line for about nine months.

How would you describe Danny and his dedication to his family and friends?

Danny was very much a people-person and his family was absolutely important to him – that was proven at his funeral when you met so many people from so many parts of his life came together to say good-bye to him. After attending his funeral, it was obvious that we were lucky just to know such a good guy.

How has Danny’s passing affected the community and Troegs brewery?

We’re a pretty small company made up predominantly of people in their 20s and 30s, and when someone is here one day and gone the next it’s hard to comprehend that. There has been a lot of laughing and a lot of crying since he passed away but overall we’re doing ok. Putting out this beer is a really nice way to pay tribute to Danny.

What was the reaction when everyone learned that Danny was an organ and tissue donor?

We only found out at the funeral when they started talking about it. His parents made a valiant decision at a very tough time, but ultimately, Danny being an organ donor fits in line perfectly with his personality and nature – he was always a very giving guy.

Has Danny’s gift of life changed or affected anyone’s outlook on donation?

Personally, I have had an Organ Donor designation on my license since they started issuing them. I can’t say that we, as a company, have discussed this subject as a whole, but I have a strong feeling that many Troegs co-workers have looked into it since finding out about Danny’s donation.

Why did Troegs Brewery decide to create a special IPA for Danny?

Well, it’s something unique we can do. Soon after we heard that Danny had passed away the idea of making a beer for him came up and giving part of the proceeds to Danny’s family. At the funeral we talked to Danny’s family about it and his mom said if we did anything all proceeds should be directed to the Gift of Life program.

How did you come up with the special formula?

Danny’s favorite beer was one of our seasonals – Nugget Nectar. Since we wanted to do something special for him and he loved hoppy beers we started with concept of Nugget Nectar but changed it into something new. It’s a Black IPA which means it’s dark in color and aggressively hopped. The beer turned out tremendously.

The release event was a success. It’s hard to have a celebration when the person you are celebrating can’t be at the event, but  many of Dan’s family and friends came to the brewery for the release date. And our employees made sure to come out and toast Dan at the end of their workday. It was bittersweet. The beer has sold quite well – we should be sold out in about a week or so. The feedback has been great on the beer.

What would you like people to take away from Danny’s donation story?

That even in death Danny continued to help and serve people – it’s an amazing story.

Gift of Life Donor Program, CORE and Donate Life Pennsylvania have teamed up with the PA Department of Health to raise awareness for donation while having fun in the community at the same time.  Within the upcoming months, we will be working with the partnering organizations to present AND1 LIVE! Streetball Tour in four Pennsylvania cities.

The first AND1 LIVE! Tour PA event will take place on Friday, May 18 from 6 – 9 p.m in Harrisburg High School’s Kimber Gymnasium, located at 2451 Market Street in Harrisburg. Donate Life-PA’s goals will be to inform attendees about the importance of organ donation and to dispel the common myths and misconceptions surrounding organ donation. To do this, Donate Life-PA will be speaking to the audience to talk about the urgent need for organ and tissue donation and dispelling the myths and misconceptions that surround becoming a donor.

The AND1 LIVE! Tour highlights the talents of some of Streetball’s leading stars. The mission of the tour is to serve the community and promote positive and healthy role models for today’s youth. Through the partnership, Donate Life-PA hopes to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation in the multicultural community as well as the 18-24 age group.

During the next few months Donate Life-Pa will emphasize registration among minority donors because they provide the greatest hope for the more than 2,700 African Americans in Pennsylvania awaiting an organ or tissue transplant. Individuals of the same ethnic background are most likely to have similar blood types and make good donor matches.

Right now African Americans represent 32 percent of Pennsylvanians waiting for organ donor transplants but only 11 percent of Pennsylvania’s total population. The current shortage of minority donors means 64 percent of African Americans in Pennsylvania waiting for an organ transplant have been on the waiting list for more than one year, and nearly eight percent have been waiting for five or more years.

Keep visiting our Facebook, Twitter and website to stay up-to-date on the latest And1 PA events, as well as other upcoming donation community events this summer!

Gift of Life Donor Program participated in a Tweet Chat on May 1 in light of Facebook’s recent partnership with Donate Life America to promote your decision to donate on your own Facebook Timeline. Donate Life America President & CEO David Fleming helped to initiate the chat, which was moderated by ABC’s Dr. Richard Besser (@abcDrBchat). Others who were represented within the chat included many Donate Life states, Donate Life America (@DonateLife_), recipients, donor family members and general supporters of donation. Gift of Life Donor Program (@donors1) also took part in the conversation!

A Tweet Chat is a discussion in real-time that happens through Twitter with a predefined hashtag (#). Tweets are linked together and a virtual conversation takes place. Often tweet chats occur with a pre-determined agenda and certain topics are covered and discussed as per the moderator’s instructions.

Gift of Life (@donors1) was able to join the conversation on organ donation to answer some questions and tackle some of the myths out there. The chat, which took place through the hashtag #ABCDrBchat, lasted an hour and covered many topics as well as gave participants an opportunity to talk about their connection to donation. Participants also discussed where people can go to find out information on donation, such as at donors1.org. Finally, the chat promoted how Facebook users can now share their decision to donate on their Timelines.

For a transcript of the Donate Life America Twitter chat, click here

Today we share the story of  one young adult who is raising awareness for organ donation by running for Brotherly Love- literally. Chris Praetzel shares why he has decided to run across America in honor of his brother, a transplant recipient.

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Chris Praetzel, Brian Praetzel and Jamie Cifuentes

My brother Brian Praetzel had a kidney transplant back on February 18, 1996 at St. Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Brian  was born on December 6, 1992 with hypoplastic kidneys, and from birth the doctors gave little hope for his survival. Luckily doctors were able to find a match and with a successful transplant he was able to live on. We keep in touch with the family of whom the kidney came from and exchange Christmas gifts as well as photographs of Brian. This allows the family to see how their gift of transplantation has touched our family and see all of the positives of their loved one living on through him. My brother must take medicine twice a day as well as have regular visits to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Living with an organ donor recipient is not very different but playing sports growing up we always had to be careful in limiting contact and also to make sure he wore his protective vest to cover the kidney. However, he was just as active as the rest of us, and definitely a necessary piece of our neighborhood basketball, baseball, and football. Brian played soccer on a club team in our town as well as baseball. In high school he also ran track his freshman and sophomore year.

Growing up I was involved with the organ donor community through  participating a couple of years in the Organ Donor Dash along with my family. This year I also ran in the Organ donor Dash with my good friend Jaime Cifuentes and brother Brian. I spent the race just jogging along with them and sharing the experience. Prior to the race, just being a part of the atmosphere and seeing all for the teams in honor of loved ones living and passed on, I got a lump in my throat while somewhat overcome with emotion through understanding what brought everyone there that day.

The concept for the Brotherly Love Run began over two years ago. I can still remember the exact point in time where it crossed my mind to try such an endeavor. Both running across America and doing it for organ donor awareness existed as a single thought; it was never a matter of deciding I wanted to run across America but did not know what for. I still vividly remember sitting in my room thinking and deciding that it was something  I could do. From then, this dream has stuck in my mind almost daily. Initially family and friends did not take it seriously. They simply thought it was just another crazy idea of mine. However, as my past experiences and goals have shown to these two groups whatever I set out to do, I fully intend to achieve. Once Jaime heard he this, he wished to get involved, helping in any way he could.

I am a serious runner and have now run three marathons and one ultramarathon. I trained extensively for it and developed a regular lifting schedule. I have reached out to and have had several friends reach out to myself as well to help with survival training as this will be a solo journey, help in developing a website, and help with the creation of a logo. I also have been gathering my necessary supplies, going as minimalist as possible, which include a running stroller (as it is too much weight to carry on my back), tent, water containers, reflective vest, head lamp, and a few others. The route will take me ocean to ocean from Los Angeles to Atlantic City, NJ, a journey of about 3,029 miles.

Brian waiting for a kidney transplant in 1996

Through my run across America I hope to spread awareness about the need for organ transplantation as well as getting more people to register to be organ donors. I consider my brother Brian to be my best friend in the world in addition to being an awesome brother.  With over 113,000 people waiting on the list I would like to help others have the same blessing of a loved one who can continue to live on because of a transplant. I also am registered as an organ donor, and I hope when I pass away my organs can help make a difference in the life of someone who needs it. Once I’ve passed away I’ll have no use for them so I hope my story and journey can cause others to take the time to register.

For more information about Brotherly Love Run, visit their website.

With over 901 million active users on Facebook as of May 2012, it’s easy to understand how information can be easily shared with a click of a button. While many use the social networking page to share personal photos, party invitations, and gripes about their day- others have used the tool to bring social change to their online friends. Many members have asked for prayers or thoughts of sick loved ones, while others have reposted fundraising events to support certain charities.

Organizations, such as Donate Life America and Gift of Life have used Facebook to share stories of donation to our digital friends, in hopes that others will share the information with their friends, leading to more education in not only our communities, but on a global level. Now raising awareness for the power of donation through Facebook has become even easier, thanks to the new Facebook timeline milestone feature.

On May 1^st 2012, Donate Life America and Facebook announced that they are collaborating to encourage Facebook users to register as organ and tissue donors. Using the timeline feature, you can now add when you became a registered donor and add a personal story behind your decision to designate. Once you mark the milestone, all of your Facebook friends will be aware of your donation decision, and can learn more about how they can also register to become a donor. This is a great way to let your friends know about your decision in a matter of minutes!

With over a half billion users on Facebook, it can be expected stories behind the reason to register will vary. Some will be as simple as making the choice while receiving their driver’s license at the age of 16. Others will share the connection to donation through personal testimonials, allowing their online friends to get a better understanding of the impact of organ and tissue donation.

Once a Facebook user posts their registration milestone on their timeline, their Facebook friends will be able to view their update. On the milestone, there is a link for those not officially registered as a donor to sign up with the appropriate registry.

Take the time today to add your registration milestone to your  Facebook timeline. In the matter of minutes, your update may influence one person to make the choice to designate today!

To learn how to add the organ donation registration milestone to your Facebook timeline, watch this step-by-step tutorial video:

To learn more about Mark Zuckerberg’s dedication to raising awareness to organ and tissue donation using social media, watch his interview from ABC News

According to the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services, “Despite the progress our nation has made over the past 50 years, racial and ethnic minorities still lag behind the general population on many health fronts.  Minorities are less likely to get the preventive care they need to stay healthy, more likely to suffer from serious illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and colon cancer, and they are less likely to have access to quality health care.”

In terms of organ and tissue donation, a growing number of minorities are awaiting transplants in both this region, and throughout the country. In fact, minorities comprise 54 percent of those waiting for life-saving transplants. Many diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, liver and pancreas that are prevalent in minority communities can be treated through transplantation.

For a FREE presentation, materials or participation in your multicultural affairs event or faith-based organization and to help share valuable information about organ and tissue donation in your minority community, contact Vanessa Duvert, Multicultural Outreach Coordinator at 1-800-DONORS-1 ext. 1172 or e-mail vduvert@donors1.org. You can also visit the community outreach section of our website to learn more about obtaining information!

THE Party of the year is only a few days away! Did you get your tickets yet?

Donors Are Heroes was co-founded by Renee Freeman after her husband received a heart transplant in 2000. The group consists of volunteers supporting the Gift of Life Donor Program and the Transplant Foundation throughout the year. One of their major fundraisers, The Party is a large upscale benefit to raise public awareness about the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor.

Music, food, drinks and celebrations are featured throughout the night. This year, THE Party celebrates its 10^th year in style on April 27th at the Four Seasons Philadelphia. Honored guests of the night will include Bernard & Joan Spain.

The money raised from ticket sales will go directly to help maintain public awareness programs, school summits and teaching initiatives. All of which are geared to educate and dispel the myths surrounding becoming an organ donor and the need for life-saving, life-enhancing transplants.

Cynthia London, a donor mother, and Freeman were featured on Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia on April 24, 2012. You can watch their complete interview here.

Tickets, ranging from $75 to $250, are available here. We hope you will join us for a night to celebrate life.