American Transplant Foundation

American Transplant Foundation welcomes Kyle Pietari

Posted on 15. Aug, 2011 in Announcements, Connections: A Blog about Life!

American Transplant Foundation is proud to welcome Kyle Pietari as the new Outreach and External Affairs Coordinator! Kyle will take over the communications and volunteer program duties for Katie Cicerchi, who is leaving the Foundation to pursue new opportunities after more than three years of service.

We are excited to have Kyle join our team. Here’s a message from Kyle:

Kyle on a recent trip to Nepal

Greetings Transplant Community!  I am ecstatic to be a part of the American Transplant Foundation.  It’s truly a thrill to begin working for such an effective organization, and to know that what we all accomplish together will not only save and enhance people’s lives in the short-term, but also help to improve America’s transplant system for the future.

In June, 2011 I moved to Denver where I was introduced to the American Transplant Foundation.  When I first learned about the Foundation, I was shocked by just how little I knew about the issue of organ and tissue donation.  Reading through the website and hearing personal stories from people who have been impacted by transplant made me realize how this issue deserves so much more attention than it gets.  My background is in advocacy and community organizing around environmental issues, and while I remain passionate about conservation and other areas of social justice, I believe that the transplant community is a place where we can really make strides in the coming years to help those in need.  And who knows–at any time, either a loved one or I, myself, could find out that we need a transplant.  This issue affects everyone, and I am proud to join those working to solve it.  Anyone who needs a transplant should be able to get it, and I know that together we can make that happen.

-Kyle Pietari

Please join us in welcoming Kyle by leaving a comment below.

Join us August 8th for the Donors Rock Ride!

Posted on 04. Aug, 2011 in Announcements, Connections: A Blog about Life!, Team Transplant

We just got word that the Donors Rock Ride will be in Colorado on Monday, August 8th! Please join us at BikeSource in Highlands Ranch at 7 a.m. Monday for this special ride for organ and tissue donation.

David Landsberg of the Society for Organ Donor Awareness launched the national Donors Rock Ride in Texas on July 4, 2011, the anniversary of his kidney transplant. David is cycling 50 miles in 50 states in 50 days to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation! (The map of his journey is available here.) He will complete the Colorado portion of his ride on August 8th when he will ride in 10 mile loops to accommodate cyclists of all abilities. Read a message from David.

Kidney Transplant Recipient Riding Bicycle Across Country in ‘Donor’s Rock’ Ride: MyFoxDC.com

We invite all Team Transplant members and supporters to join us in support of David and his journey. We know it’s early, but we hope that many of you will come to show your support for the Gift of Life! You and your family can join David on all or a portion of his ride, or just come to meet him. Our partner Donor Alliance has invited local media to cover this exciting event.

Please wear Team Transplant or Donate Life gear if you have it!

Donors Rock Ride Details

Monday, August 8th at 7:00 a.m.

Please R.S.V.P. by emailing katie@americantransplantfoundation.org so we know to expect you.

One worry, lifted

Posted on 27. Jul, 2011 in Connections: A Blog about Life!, Transplant Leadership Council

When you make a donation in honor or in memory of friends and loved ones, your money goes directly to transplant patients in order to help them with medical expenses and transplant-related costs. Through the Patient Assistance Program, the American Transplant Foundation is giving hope to transplant patients in need.

We recently received the following messages from two individuals who were involved in Patient Assistance Grants made this year. We’d like to share them with you so that you can see the impact your donations have on patients’ lives.

From the wife of a transplant recipient:

“Thank you for your support.  You kindness will never be forgotten…Foundations like yours and people like you serve as a beacon of light in times of darkness for those like us who truly need help.”

-MH, June 5, 2011

From a social worker assisting a kidney recipient:

“I can’t thank the American Transplant Foundation enough for their recent assistance.  As a social worker, I have many different resources to pull from when a patient has a crisis and my job is to utilize those resources and work with the patient to come up with a plan to solve whatever problem has arisen.  However, recently I had a patient that was not eligible for any of the programs that I usually turn to and was very close to losing his kidney transplant. (more…)

Celebrating Life: Team Transplant 2011 Video

Posted on 26. Jul, 2011 in Connections: A Blog about Life!, Team Transplant

We had a wonderful time at the Subaru Elephant Rock last month raising awareness for organ and tissue donation and celebrating the lives saved through transplantation. We’ve compiled some of the video footage and photos from the day to share with you the inspiring stories of our riders. Let us know what you think!

Send your wishes to Steve Farber for his 7th “transplantiversary”

Posted on 09. May, 2011 in Announcements, Connections: A Blog about Life!, On the List, Website Archive

Steve Farber, the co-founder and chairman of the board of the American Transplant Foundation reaches a special milestone this Wednesday, May 11th–the lucky seven year anniversary of his kidney transplant! Steve and a close circle of family and friends will celebrate the occasion with a dinner generously hosted and underwritten by Shanahan’s Steakhouse.

Please join us in wishing Steve and his son and living donor Gregg the best! Enter your comments below and we will be sure to share them with Steve. Thank you.

Read the story of Steve’s transplant.

Get your kidneys checked: Free screenings in Denver for high risk individuals

Posted on 29. Apr, 2011 in Community Calendar, Connections: A Blog about Life!, Events, Past Events

Our partner the National Kidney Foundation serving Colorado, Montana and Wyoming will be hosting free health screenings in Denver, Colorado during the next several months to identify people who are at risk of kidney disease. Currently, more than 26 million adults in the United States have chronic kidney disease, and millions more are at risk. Prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease are vital in order to keep patients off the transplant waiting list, where 88,392 people are currently listed for a kidney transplant. (more…)

Denver Mayor proclaims April Donate Life Month!

Posted on 01. Apr, 2011 in Connections: A Blog about Life!, Website Archive

Today, the first day of National Donate Life Month, Denver Mayor Guillermo (Bill) V. Vidal proclaimed April 2011 to be known as “Donate Life Month!”

Check out the proclamation, now hanging proudly in the (more…)

Team Transplant’s Twitter contest wins one follower a free cycling jersey!

Posted on 31. Mar, 2011 in Connections: A Blog about Life!, Contests, Team Transplant

In the run up to National Donate Life Month (April), the American Transplant Foundation held a special Twitter contest March 25th where we asked Team Transplant’s Twitter followers to tell us why they support organ and tissue donation. We picked our favorite tweet from the many we received and the author won a free 2010 Team Transplant jersey (left)!

Though we enjoyed reading all the tweets we received, we could only pick one winner! The winning tweet was:

• @Rockdog7711: It’s a way to be a hero & make sure your legacy lives on. By giving hope and strength to others with your gift of life!

Here are just a few of the many notable tweets we received: (more…)

Feel Good Friday: Organ donor gets surprise recognition

Posted on 19. Nov, 2010 in Connections: A Blog about Life!, In The News, Volunteering

 November 19, 2010 – Ken Clark, KDVR Denver

Steve Crider, a living kidney donor and American Transplant Foundation volunteer, recognizes the woman who saved his daughter Kelsey’s life through this story on Fox 31 KDVR Denver.

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