Donor Awareness Month April 2004

By UOTA Staff Writer

According to recent statistics from UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) and Transplant Living, your prescription for transplant information Website, there were 84,765 patients waiting for organ transplants.

Please help us remind everyone during Donor Awareness Month that we all should be organ donors, sign a donor card, place the "pink dot" on our driver's license and tell our families of our wish to donate.

As of September 30, 2003

Reading from the top of the chart clockwise:
Intestine: 163, Kidney: 55,735, Pancreas: 1,448, Kidney/Pancreas: 2,407, Liver: 17,327, Heart: 3,621, Lung: 3,883, Heart/Lung: 181, Total: 84,765
Number of Donors January ---- October 2003: Cadaveric 4,804, Living 5,041, Total 9,845 Number of transplants performed January - October 2003 = 19,101

Prescription for Trouble:
Ignoring Labels on Medicine

By Jonathan Fielding and Valerie Ulene

Misuse of medication is widespread and can be perilous. Please, take your medication exactly the way it was prescribed.

Misuse of medications, often referred to as noncompliance is widespread. Nearly 40% of antibiotic prescriptions are stopped prematurely. Among people who use drugs to treat chronic medical conditions, studies suggest that less than half are taking their medications as prescribed. Noncompliance is especially common among patients whose medical problems - though serious - do not cause symptoms (for example, high blood pressure or high cholesterol).

Medication misuse leads to other problems. Stopping antibiotics before the prescription is completed can expose you to a much more severe recurrent infection. Even though your symptoms may have improved or disappeared, the most resistant bacteria may still be present. Stopping the antibiotics prematurely allows these bacteria to multiply, and they may no longer respond to the same antibiotics. Often, stronger, more expensive and more dangerous drugs are then necessary to treat the infection.

There is a long list of reasons why patients don't take medications properly, including forgetfulness, confusion about how to use the drugs, lack of understanding about why a drug is necessary, and cost (some people skip doses to save money). Many people stop their medications intentionally; they don't "feel" different, so they think the drugs aren't working. Still others stop taking the drugs because of side effects.

If you are not taking your prescription drugs as directed, making a promise to adhere to the prescribed regimens is one of the best things you can do for your health. Here are some simple commitments you should include in that promise.

• Learn everything you can about every drug you are taking. Talk to your doctor and your pharmacist, and read about the medications. You should know how the drug works and the possible side effects.
• Make sure that the medication is appropriate for you and will not interact with other medications you are taking. Tell your doctor about other medications you now take and ask him or her to prescribe the safest and least expensive drug that is likely to achieve the results you need.
• Take every drug exactly as prescribed. Find out the best time to take your medication, whether it should be taken with food or on an empty stomach, and then stick to that schedule. Set up cues to prevent missed doses (set alarms, for example, or tape a paper reminder to your mirror. Or, purchase one of the handy medication containers that have been developed to simplify the task.
• Talk to your doctor before stopping any drug. Abruptly withdrawing certain medications can cause dangerous and potentially life threatening problems. Tell your doctor if you are skipping doses. Without that information, your doctor might assume that your drug isn't working; this could lead to a dangerous increase in dose or the addition of an unnecessary drug.
• Purchase all of your prescription medications from the same pharmacy. This is the best way to avoid a dangerous interaction between two drugs that should not be taken together.
• If cost of medications is a problem that keeps you from taking drugs properly, ask your doctor and pharmacist if a less expensive alternative is available (generic drugs cost a fraction of their branded counterparts). Finally, find out if you are eligible to receive free medication through a Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Program. A directory of participating pharmaceutical manufacturers is available through the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association.

Celebrating Renewed Life
After Transplant

Congratulations to
Lupe Cruz
Pauline Williams
For receiving their transplants in October 2003.

Don't Miss Donor Awareness Day
Quakes Baseball Game

By UOTA Staff Writer

Come on out and catch the game, have a hot dog and help us distribute organ donor cards and organ donation materials. This is a great opportunity to spread the word about organ donation. We are looking for volunteers to assist in this worthwhile project at the Quakes game which will be held on Sunday, April 18, 2004. Please contact Debbie Morgan (909) 785-7987 for the time and date, your free ticket and information about how you can help.

This special month is set aside each year to celebrate and honor those who have "made a miracle and given the gift of life" by donating their organs. We would also like to thank the donor families for honoring the wishes of the organ donors and giving their permission for their loved ones organs to be donated. They made this decision during a time of great emotional stress and grief.

The United Organ Transplant Association, OneLegacy, a transplant donor network, and San Bernardino County Medical Society are joining efforts to boost organ donor awareness during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness month April 2004.

One Life, One gift to give,
so please live a wonderful life,
choose to be an organ donor and
you might possibly be giving others
the gift of life.

How's Your Aging Intelligence?

Our Internet Friends

We all know that some of our brain power fades with age. How's your aging intelligence? Still sharp as a tack? Take the following test and determine if you are losing it or are still "with it". Please read each question carefully and decide on your answer before checking the correct answer. Ok, relax, clear your mind and ... begin:

1. What do you put in a toaster? Click to see answer
   The answer is "bread". If you said "toast", then give up now and do something else. If you said "bread", go to question 2.
2. Say "silk" five times. Now spell "silk". What do cows drink? Answer
   Cows drink water. If you said "milk", please do not attempt the next question. Your brain is obviously over stressed and may even overheat. If you said "water" proceed to question 3.
3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks, what is a greenhouse made from? Answer
   Greenhouses are made from glass. If you said "green bricks", what are you still doing reading these questions? If you said "glass", then go on to question 4.
4. If the hour hand on a clock moves 1/60 of a degree every minute then how many degrees will the hour hand move in one hour? Answer
   One degree. If you said "360 degrees" or anything other than "one degree", you are to be congratulated on getting this far, but you are beginning to feel the effects of age. Everyone else proceed to the final question.
5. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17 people get on the bus. In Reading, six people get off the bus and nine people get on. In Swindon, two people get off and four get on. In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16 people get on. In Carmathen, six people get off and three get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver? Answer
   Oh, for crying out loud! Don't you remember? It was YOU driving the bus.

Click to hide all the answers again

The Third Annual UOTA Picnic

By UOTA Staff Writer

Please come and join us for our annual picnic in the park on Sunday, May 23rd. at Cypress Trails Park in Chino, corner of Mountain Avenue and Schaefer Avenue, from noon to 3:00pm. All food and beverages, plates, utensils and napkins will be provided by the United Organ Transplant Association.

Bring the children, there will be hotdogs, fried chicken, salads and sodas. There are picnic tables under a shade awning so we will be cool and comfortable.

We all deserve a chance to have some lunch, sit in the shade, and chat with our family and friends.

Nature Renews Life in spring -
Transplantation is Renewed Life

Food Labels Tell You A Lot

Based on a presentation by: Cindy Martin, MPH, RD, CDE

Food labels give you the information you need to make healthy food choices. Food labels show you how to balance the nutrients you need each day. Being able to read the label will help you eat a variety of enjoyable foods.

Remember one serving consists of 15 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams protein, 1 gram fat, and 80 calories. These foods are the cornerstone of every healthy eating plan. Most of their calories come from carbohydrates, a good source of energy. Many foods from this group also give you needed fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Food Facts

- Food labels tell you a lot.. You will find facts about fat, cholesterol, sodium (salt), carbohydrates, protein, fiber and other facts to help you reduce your risk of heart disease, some types of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Serving Size

- The serving size is the amount that most people should usually eat. This label tells you that a serving size is 4 graham crackers and there are 32 servings in the container.

Calories and calories from fat

- this label tells you that in 4 graham crackers (the serving size) there are 80 calories and 18 calories come from fat. No more than 30% of your calories should come from fat, you should shoot for more like 10% to 20%.

Sodium chloride (Salt)

- This label tells you that there are 66 mg of sodium in a serving. Look for foods with less than 400 mg of sodium per serving if you are following a low-salt diet. Foods with less than 140 mg of sodium per serving are considered "low sodium" and between 140 mg and 400 mg is considered moderate sodium. Foods with more than 400 mg of sodium per serving are considered "high sodium" foods and should be avoided if possible.

Gift of Life Run/Walk

Benefiting OneLegacy Transplant Donor Network

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to help spread awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation in the communities of Southern California. Come and join the run/walk on Saturday, April 17, 2004 from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm at Cal State University, Fullerton. Choose the 5K run/walk or the 1K healthy walk.

Come and join the fun at the Run/Walk. There will be a Family Health Festival and Expo with free health screenings, Live Entertainment and Special activities for children.

The purpose of this special event is to achieve the donation of life saving and life enhancing organs and tissues for those in need of transplants and to provide a sense of purpose and comfort to families served. To Bridge lives of Americans desperately needing transplants and those willing to give the Gift of Life. To give the families who are faced with the tragic loss of a loved one the greater meaning to that one most precious life, by giving a gift that creates a personal legacy of caring for others. So come on out and help educate the community through the OneLegacy Ambassadors volunteer program.

For more information, visit the website . Join the UOTA team by contacting Debbie Morgan (909) 785-1387.

What In The World Is Happening To Your Medicare?

By HICAP Counselor

Whether you have assigned your Medicare to an HMO or have Medicare with a supplemental insurance policy, you are noticing the changes.

These are some of the changes for 2004: Part A - Hospital Coverage In-patient Hospital Deductible $876.00/ea stay Skilled Nursing Facility Co-Pay 21st through 100th day $109.50/per day Part B - Monthly Premium $66.60 Annual Deductible $100/per year

Those of you in Medicare contracting HMO's are wondering if these payments apply to you. You will have to check your individual plan, many changes have occurred. The most notable changes are the implementation and/or increases in monthly premiums and considerable cutbacks in prescription drug coverage. Some HMO's do not cover brand name drugs, only generics.

If you would like someone unbiased to review your Medicare coverage at no cost to you, or you have any question regarding Medicare, please call the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 1 (800) 434-0222 for a personal counseling appointment. We have comparison charts and fact sheets which can be mailed to you.

HICAP is funded in part by a grant through the California Department of Aging. It does not recommend or endorse any particular plan, but it can help you make an informed decision.

Inland Empire Transplant Support Group

Group meetings provide a place for pre and post transplant patients, their caregivers, family and friends to meet and share their needs and experiences. Caregivers can meet together separately. Video presentations, guest speakers and printed materials on topics such as nutrition, diet, exercise, stress management, medication interactions, and a host of other topics relevant to the transplant community are presented.

Meeting Schedule

4:00 to 5:30 pm Sunday
April 25th, May 23rd. (Picnic), June 27th
For directions, call (909) 785-1387 or click here

Notice of Disclaimer- The United Organ Transplant Association, and the Inland Empire Transplant support group, their volunteer staff and sponsors do not engage in the practice of medicine and under no circumstances recommends a particular treatment for any illness, what-so-ever, and in all cases recommends that you consult with your physician and health care professionals before pursuing any course of treatment.