Via Christi Transplant Institute is working with the Wichita chapter of The Links Inc., a community service organization, to host a community breakfast and daylong symposium focused on organ donation — the gift of life. April is National Organ Donor Month.
WICHITA, KS — The event, Thursday, April 12, at Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas in Wichita, is sponsored by Via Christi Health and Wichita Surgical Specialists, PA. It includes:
- 8-10 a.m. Breakfast and keynote address by Kansan Tom Falsey, author of ―Giving Life, Inspirational Stories of Hope for Organ Donors and Recipients.
- 10:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Symposium featuring living kidney donors, recipients and a transplant surgeon who will share their experiences. A special ministerial panel – comprising Senior Pastor Lincoln Montgomery and Minister Annie Montgomery of Tabernacle Bible Church, the Rev. Carieta Grizzell of Grant Chapel A.M.E. and Minister Riccardo Harris — will discuss organ donation from a religious standpoint.
In his book, Falsey shares 28 stories, including that of his and his family's experiences with organ donation. In 1990, the Falsey family was first impacted by organ donation when Falsey's nephew required a kidney donation. While Falsey wasn't a match, he didn't abandon his desire to help someone else needing a kidney. In 2001, he became the first anonymous living donor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Other members of Falsey's family also went on to donate kidneys. Falsey is now a board member of the United Network of Organ Sharing, the private, nonprofit organization that manages the nation's organ transplant system.
No comments:
Post a Comment