News and Notes

Hi all,
 It's been a while since I have written more than a new class schedule. Tons of things have been going on this summer and since fall is here, we should get caught up.

Let's see... the blog is under a current remodeling. Per request of some of the users, the education session recaps have been placed in their own pages. Since they are repetitive by nature, there is no need to re post over and over. Now, click on the name of the session listed across the top of the home page, and you will be taken to a "page" dedicated to the specific topic. Updates will be done as materials change.

Our wonderful support program "THE TRANSPLANT BUDDY PROGRAM" will be presented at the National Conference of Transplant Social Workers (I think) in October by our own Susan Gleason and Connie Jo Campbell. Susan and Connie put together information and slides throughout the summer months. The final version was sent to Atlanta just last week. They both are very excited to have this opportunity to share a great program, which they and others have been developing over the years, with peers all across the country. Many thanks go out to all volunteers and professionals who have brought us to this point. Make us proud in Atlanta Susan and Connie!!!

Transplant Buddy Foundation- Lots happening here too. Concerts and Quilts event at Libby Gardner Hall is tomorrow, 9/25/10. Volunteers and others have been gathering quilts and other handmade goods for auction and sale at the event. We have a full schedule of 5 recitals starting at 10am and lasting all day. More to come post event when the proceeds have been counted. Thanx to all involved.

More later...
Be good to each other,
  Tin Man

It is with the greatest of sorrow...

We have lost one of our flock. Emily Roosevelt, post heart transplant patient from Park City, UT, has passed away. May we take solace in the great person she was, the spirit she carried and the privilege of having known her and her family. Please find detail at this link.
http://heart2heart4emily.blogspot.com/

Cardiac Transplant Gala

Cardiac Transplant Gala 2010

It was a packed house at the Little America Hotel in Downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday nite, 3/6/10. The reason, The Cardiac Transplant 25th Anniversary Gala. Patients, families, doctors, nurses and other important health care staff from the area hospitals mingled and reconnected. Stories were shared over a well prepared meal, new friends were made and several presentations were given. Among the highlites; nurses were recognized for their immense contribution to the transplant program, recipients were recognized including the first recipient transplanted in Utah and a moment of silence was observed for the donors. A great event for all involved and special thanks to our U of U coordinators, Shirley and Leann who were very involved in the organization and execution of the wonderful event.

The Transplant Fund

The Transplant Buddy Group has added a new purpose to its mission. Fundraising! A "Transplant Fund", for lack of a better name, has been created as part of the University Hospital Foundation. Money raised will be applied to this account and granted to transplant patients/families who may be in need of additional funding to defray the many costs associated with the process. This could be for Meds, travel/lodging or a myriad of other obligations. The goal is to never have to turn a patient away due to lack of funds or insurance coverage.

Dickens Festival
Come one, Come all to the Annual Dickens Festival/Craft Fair!!
Why? The Transplant Buddy Group will have a booth offering many different home-made items for sale for TWO DAYS ONLY (11/20-11/21). All proceeds will go to the Transplant Fund in the University Hospital Foundation.
Where: Utah State Fairgrounds
When: 11/20 and 11/21

**If you can't make the festival but would like to make a direct donation, please do so with a check written to the University Hospital Foundation with "Solid Organ Transplant" in the memo space. Send to Michelle McCardell at the University Medical Center.

Celebration Luncheon

On 9-3 a celebration luncheon was held for the transplant buddy group . It was a catered affair with a good turnout. Plenty of pre and post transplant buddies were in attendanc along with the professionals and volunteers who provide the education and care to the group. The celebration was a chance to thank the educators and volunteers as well as aknowledging the progress that has been made by the group as a whole. Certificates, plaques and Buddy thumbdrives were awarded to some of the volunteers and professioinals who have been instrumental in the groups development and new ventures in the works.

The results of the gathering were good fellowship, good food and good collaboration regarding our special projects team. This team is in the process of planning two fundraising events in the coming year. The money will be reserved for specific use in a transplant fund. As this is further developed, information will be made available here in the blog.

Pictures from the event are above. Enjoy.

Healthy Brunch Spring 09

April 9th marked the sping version of our semi-annual brunch. As it was close to Easter this year, the decoration theme was just that. These included a lavender table cloth, some yellow feathers, metallic eggs containing surprises and a few Easter baskets for centerpieces. Don't tell Priya, but we smuggled in some candy in the eggs and baskets, oh yeah she was there! Everyone there had a great time and shared some good food and stories with new friends and old.
Pics from the event are in the slideshow below.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Updates and News \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
-->Jean D is well enough to go back home to the ranch. We will miss her around here but we are also glad she is doing so well.
-->Emily has survived the biopsy trials and can look forward to non-invasive testing going foward.
-->The new schedule is out and posted in the sidebar on the right.
-->We have a new addition to the volunteer staff. Please help us welcome Monika to the team.
-->A feature section will be added in the near future to relay some of our stories.