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Public Education has taken a leadership role in educating the general public about donation and its benefits. TDS-Chattanooga also produces a variety of educational materials such as Stat Man and the Facts Sheet; provides speakers to schools, churches, civic clubs and other interested groups through a Speakers Bureau; serves as an informational resource to the media by way of TV, radio, billboard advertising, bus signs and poster contests through the middle schools and health fairs; and promotes organ donation through special activities such as Saturn Donor Days, Tree of Life Ceremony held during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week.
Workplace Partnership for Life, a campaign initiated by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, as an initiative to recruit potential organ, tissue, marrow and blood donors has become a joint effort of our area by TDS - Chattanooga and the Larry Knight Foundation, Inc. which is a foundation in aiding organ and tissue donation. Please go to the website www.organdonor.gov for more information, Workplace Partnership for Life Inserts and to become a partnering company for life.
Blake cared enough…
Blake Levi was killed in a
tragic car accident. Because he had shared his wishes with his family,
they knew he wanted to be an organ donor. Blake’s generosity, and his
family’s courage, saved the lives of three people
after his death. Not only did Blake’s
heroism save lives, but his gift inspired his mom, Robin, and his step-dad,
Steve, to get involved in helping raise awareness about the great need for organ
and tissue donation. They have worked tirelessly as volunteers for
Tennessee Donor Services, sharing their story with others as an example of how
donation positively affects lives. “When I share with people
about Blake’s donation, I always want them to know how thankful we are that we
said yes to his being a donor. By making that decision, we feel that we
possibly spared your family from suffering the loss of a loved one, and we would
never wish that on anyone.” Blake’s mom, Robin, in a letter to his liver
recipient Robin and Steve have
corresponded with all of Blake’s recipients. This can usually be done
anonymously through the donor program and the recipient’s transplant center.
Some families even meet the recipients of their family member’s organs. Click
here for communication guidelines for donor families and recipients. “When
I came out of intensive care, I remember crying after they told me the operation
was a success. The tears were tears of joy and sorrow. I am still
torn between my emotions of being given a second chance at life and your
family’s tragic loss. Not a day goes by that you and your family are not
in my prayers. There are no words that can express my gratitude.
Thank you all for this gift of life.” Blake’s liver recipient in a
letter to Blake’s family So look for this hero’s
face on billboards in and around Chattanooga.
Because Blake cared enough…
Go Mocs!! On Saturday, March 1st,
Tennessee Donor Services Chattanooga hosted a booth at the University of
Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs home game against Georgia Southern to educate
about organ and tissue donation.
This event was a first step in a growing partnership between TDS and the UTC Department of Athletics that we know will be mutually beneficial.
Saturn
National Donor Day – February 14, 2003 It was a dark and stormy
day… but Chattanoogans braved the weather to donate blood and learn about
organ, tissue and bone marrow donation as a part of Saturn Donor Day.
On February 14, 2003,
participating Saturn retailers hosted the sixth annual Saturn National Donor
Day, a one-day event aimed at raising awareness and encouraging blood, marrow,
organ and tissue donations. Saturn Corporation, its United Auto Worker (UAW)
partners and many of America’s leading non-profit health organizations join
together in this nationwide effort to save lives. Blood Assurance brought the
“Donor Express” to Saturn of Chattanooga and collected 26 pints of
lifesaving blood for use in local hospitals, and registered people for the
National Marrow Donor Program. For more information about marrow
donation visit www.marrow.org.
A dreary day turned warm and wonderful thanks to Saturn and all the generous people who came out to help others.
Tree
of Life Arbor Day Celebration On April 25th, Tennessee
Donor Services Chattanooga and Hamilton County Parks and Recreation will
collaborate once again on our annual Tree of Life Celebration in the Gift of
Life Park. Click on this link to view directions to this event. Our park is dedicated to
local people who have given the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.
It is filled with flowering trees symbolizing how donation is about life, not
death. Each year, the Tennessee
County Clerks Organ Donation Awareness Foundation funds the dedication of park
benches and picnic tables to individual organ donors from our area. These
memorials are enjoyed by all who visit the park for lunch, a walk, or just a
moment to reflect. This year’s celebration of
life will feature Dr. Sue Holtkamp, of Something More Bereavement Aftercare
Services, and Billy Jarvis, a local donor family member, kidney transplant
recipient, and public education coordinator with TDS Knoxville. Please join us on this
special occasion as trees are planted and benches are dedicated to our donors
and their families. |
Regional Offices Golden State Donor Services 1.916.567.1600 Referrals 1.800.762.8819 Fax 1.916.567.8300 Mountain Region Donor Services 1.423.915.0808 Referrals 1.888.562.3774 Fax 1.423.915.1170 New Mexico Donor Services 1.505.843.7672 Referrals 1.800.843.7672 Fax 1.505.343.1828 Sierra Eye and Tissue Donor Services 1.916.569.0200 Referrals 1.800.762.8819 Distribution 1.800.435.5780 Fax 1.916.569.0300 Tennessee Donor Services Nashville 1.615.234.5251 1.888.234.4440 Referrals 1.800.969.4438 Fax 1.615.320.1655 Tennessee Donor Services Chattanooga 1.423.756.5736 Fax 1.423.756.5904 Tennessee Donor Services Knoxville 1.865.588.1031 Fax 1.865.588.5903 Tennessee Donor Services Jackson 1.731.425.6393 Our Corporate Office DCIDS Organ Services 1.888.234.4440 DCIDS Tissue Services 1.888.234.4399 DCIDS Tissue Orders 1.888.216.0319
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