April is Donor Awareness Month

Announcing Donate Life California Registry

By UOTA Staff Writer

Beginning April 4, 2005, Californians will have the opportunity to register their decision to be an organ and tissue donor at www.donatelifecalifornia.org. For the first time in history, California will be home to a state-wide organ and tissue donor registry so that people can assure that their decision to donate life is honored.

The registry will allow Californians who are at least 18 years of age to register their consent to donate specific or all organs and tissues upon their death. Electronic signatures will allow this registration to serve as a legally binding document authorizing organ and/or tissue donation as outlined in the California Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.

April is Donor Awareness Month. Please remind everyone that they can become an organ donor. The only thing that would rule out a person is HIV, AIDS or metasticized cancer, said Bryan Stewart, a spokesman for OneLegacy, a transplant donor network. Even diabetics and some older folks can be donors. Stewart said they donate usually procure organs from people older than 70, however, the oldest donor to date was 82.

Still, the number of those needing a life-saving organ transplant far surpasses the number of donors each year.

"We constantly find ourselves battling a growing gap between the number of organs available and the need for them," Stewart said. Some people may be afraid to register as an organ or tissue donor because they think they won't receive the best possible hospital care. This is not true.

A person must be declared brain-dead to be an organ donor. Brain death means that the brain has ceased to function and there is absolutely no hope of recovery. Brain death could be caused, for example, by severe head trauma, drug overdose, lack of oxygen to the brain from drowning, or a brain aneurysm.

People need to realize that if they wish to be an organ donor, they should discuss it with their families. Soon people wishing to become organ donors can register on-line at www.donatelifecalifornia.org. Until then, it is the family that ultimately must decide to allow your organs to be transplanted.

OneLegacy is responsible for sending well trained and sensitive experts to talk to the families. Once a family decides to donate, OneLegacy absorbs all costs of the organ retrieval process. Stewart says "often times, donating families find comfort and healing by knowing that from their tragedy, several lives can be saved."

Don't Miss Donor Awareness Quakes Baseball Game

By UOTA Staff Writer

Come on out and catch the game, have a hot dog and help us inform people about the new Donate Life California Registry. This is a great opportunity to spread the word about organ donation and participate in a fund-raiser. Tickets are $7 each and all proceeds go to United Organ Transplant Association in support of the Donate Life California Registry. We hope that you can join us and help in this worthwhile project at the Quakes game on Sunday, April 10 2005. Please contact Don Goss (909) 923-7114 or Debbie Morgan (951) 785-1387 for tickets and information about how you can help.

During April we celebrate Donor Appreciation month to 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 allowing their loved ones organs to be donated. They made this decision during a time of great emotional stress and grief.

Come help support the United Organ Transplant Association, and raise money for the Southern California Donate Life Network.

Featured on our events page!

Celebrating Renewed Life

If we missed your anniversary, please e-mail, write or phone
The United Organ Transplant Association.
2738 S. Cucamonga Ave. Ontario, CA (909) 923-7114 dmorgan@UOTA.org

Donate Life Run/Walk

Benefiting OneLegacy, a Transplant Donor Network

By UOTA Staff Writer

The Donate Life Run/Walk 5K/1K will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2005 from 7:30am to 2:00pm at Cal State Fullerton. This is a wonderful opportunity to help spread awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. Volunteer Registration will begin at 6:30am, Walk-Up Participant Registration starts at 7:30am, Donor Ceremony at 8:30am, and the Run/Walk will start at 9:00am.

Register Today:

Pre-registration can be done via the website donatelife.org. You can also print a registration form off the website and mail in your registration. Registration fee is $25 for runners/walkers, $15 for students, $10 for children and $15 for organ donor family members and organ recipients.

Form a Walk Team:

We are encouraging teams to walk together in honor of donor families or recipients to show their support. Make a team t-shirt, button or hat to unify your team and celebrate the life of someone who gave or received the gift of life.

Raise Money for Donate Life California:

All funds raised at the Donate Life Run/Walk will go to Donate Life California, the state's new online organ and tissue donor registry. The money will be used to air Public Service Announcements on radio stations in Southern California.

Volunteer:

We need volunteers to help with registration and all aspects of the Run/Walk. You will need to arrive at 6:30am and register at the volunteer sign-in. To sign up as a volunteer, please send your complete name, phone number and email address to the Run/Walk OneLegacy Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie at Steph89119@aol.com.

California State PTA Convention

By UOTA Staff Writer

Members of the United Organ Transplant Association will attend and present organ donor information and materials, answer questions and tell everyone about the new Donate Life California Registry at the California State Parents Teachers Association Convention in Sacramento in April.

Over 5,000 teachers, administrators, and parents will be given the opportunity to learn more about organ donation and how to become an organ donor. The teachers will take the message about organ donation, making a miracle by giving the gift of life, back to their classrooms. For each teacher we educate, twenty or more students will learn of the truly great need for donated organs and tissues to save peoples lives.

Laughter is the best medicine

A Mechanic was busy removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when a well-known heart surgeon entered his shop.

The surgeon was waiting for the service manager to take a look at his bike when the mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hey, doc, can I ask you a question?" The surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "Doc, look at this engine. I open its heart, take valves out, fix 'em, put 'em back in, and when I finish, it works just like new. So why do I get such a small salary and you get the really big bucks, when you and I are doing basically the same work?"

The surgeon smiled, leaned over and whispered to the mechanic, "Try doing it with the engine running."

The Fourth Annual UOTA Picnic

By UOTA Staff Writer

We all deserve a chance to have a delicious lunch with nice people, sit in the shade, and chat.

Please come and join us on Sunday May 15th at Cypress Trails Park, 6571 Schaefer Avenue in Chino from noon to 2:30pm. All food and beverages, plates, utensils and napkins will be provided by the United Organ Transplant Association. Bring the children and grandchildren, there will be hotdogs, fried chicken, salads, soft drinks and cookies. We'll have games and prizes. There are picnic tables under a shade awning so we will be cool and comfortable.

The happiest of people don't necessarily
have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything
that comes their way.

Today, Not Tomorrow

Too many people put off something that brings them joy,
because they haven't thought about it,
or don't have it on their schedule,
or say "I would like to do that someday" - and never get around to it.

We live on promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect! Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round
or listened to the rain lapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
or gazed at the sunset into the fading night?

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?" do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed
with the next hundred chores running through your head?

Ever told your child, "we'll do it tomorrow."
and in your haste, not seen his sorrow?

Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die?
when all you had to do is call to say "Hi".

Now go on and have a nice day. Do something you want to,
something on your "I should do that some day" list.

From our internet friends

United Organ Transplant Association
Inland Empire Transplant Support Group

We offer group meetings once a month. All pre and post transplant patients of any organ, their families and friends are invited to attend. Caregivers meet privately. Participants gain increased knowledge from guest speakers, printed materials, video presentations and group discussions. Meetings provide a relaxed, informal and safe environment for patients and families to deal with the impact of organ transplantation. Come share your needs and experiences.

Meeting Schedule

4:00 to 5:30 pm, the third Sunday of each month
March 20^th – April 17^th – May 15^th Picnic
For directions, call (909) 923-7114 or visit the support group page.

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.

Medicare Drug Benefit 2006 At-a-Glance

Life Answers from AARP

The new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, called Medicare Part D, begins in January 2006. People with Medicare will be able to join a drug plan. The specifics of this plan pertain to those who have Medicare and no other form of insurance. (You may also need to join Medicare Part D if you have an HMO or Medicare Supplemental Policy). The first enrollment period is from November 15, 2005 to May 15, 2006. The drug benefit is voluntary. You do not have to sign up. There may be a penalty if you want to sign up at a later date.

How it works:

Here is how the standard drug benefit will work in 2006. After 2006, these amounts will go up each year.

• You will pay a $35 premium each month.
• You will have a $250 deductible each year.
• After the deductible, Medicare will cover 75% of drug costs up to $2,250.
• You will pay 25% of drug costs up to $2,250.
• After total drug costs reach $2,250, you will pay 100% of all of your prescription drug costs, an additional $2,850 out of pocket before Medicare will continue coverage. This is called the coverage gap, also known as the doughnut hole.
• Once your out-of-pocket drug costs, not including premiums, reach $3,600 ($250 deductible plus $500 co-payment plus $2,850 coverage gap) Medicare will start paying again.
• At that time Medicare will cover up to 95% of drug costs (also called catastrophic benefit).
• During the catastrophic benefit period, you will pay either $2 for generic drugs or $5 for brand name prescription drug or 5% of all prescription drug costs, which ever is greater.

The chart below may help to clarify this confusing drug benefit:

Medicare Drug Benefit 2006 At-a-Glance

Prescription Drug Cost	Medicare Pays	You Pay
0 - $250	Zero	Up to $250 deductible
$250 - $2,250	Up to $1,500 (75% of drug cost)	Up to $500 (25% of drug cost)
$2,250 - $5,100	Zero (donut hole)	Up to $2,850 (100% of drug cost)
Subtotal	Up to $1,500+	Up to $3,600 Out-of-pocket
Over $5,100 (Catastrophic Benefit)	Approx 95% of drug costs	5% or $2 copay/generic $5 copay/brand

Late Enrollment Penalty:

As with Medicare Part B, there will be a penalty for not enrolling in the Medicare dug benefit in the first six months that you are eligible. The penalty will be 1% of the premium for each month you delay.

How the Medicare Drug Benefit Works with Other Coverage:

If you are in a Medicare Supplemental Plan (Medigap) that does not have drug benefits, your coverage is not affected. If you have a Medigap plan with a drug benefit, you will have to choose between keeping your current Medigap drug benefit and enrolling in the Medicare Part D drug benefit.

• If you like your current Medigap plan with drug benefits, you can choose to keep it and not enroll in the Medicare Part D drug benefit. But, if you later change your mind and want to get the Medicare Part D drug benefit, you will likely have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
• The Medicare drug benefit is voluntary. However, if your employer provides your medical coverage as a retirement benefit and chooses to provide drug benefits that wrap around Medicare's benefits, you would need to be enrolled in Part D.
• Many people with low incomes will get extra help with their Medicare drug benefit. People with the lowest incomes will pay no premiums or deductibles, small or no co-payments and will have no coverage gaps. Those with slightly higher incomes will have a reduced deductible and some will have a sliding scale premium and small amount of coinsurance to pay.

The Medicare drug benefit does not start until 2006.

By then you will have more information from Medicare or your former employer (if you have a retiree health plan), that will help you decide whether or not to enroll.

Glazed Lemon-Coconut Bars

1 cup plus 1 tbsp reduced-fat Bisquick mix
1/2  cup powered sugar
2 tbsp firm butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup flaked coconut
2 tsp grated lemon peel
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup fat-free cholesterol-free egg product

Mix 1 cup Bisquick mix and powered sugar in small bowl. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork, until crumbly. Place in ungreased square pan 8 x 8 x 2 inches. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven 10 minutes or until light brown. Meanwhile mix remaining ingredients (including remaining 1 tbsp Bisquick) except Lemon Glaze in a small bowl. Pour coconut mixture over baked layer. Bake 25 minutes longer or until set and golden brown. Loosen edges from sides of pan while warm. Make Lemon Glaze, spread over bars, cut into 4 rows by 3 rows. Makes 12 bars.

Lemon Glaze

Mix powered sugar and lemon juice in small bowl until smooth.

Nutritional Information per serving: 145 calories; 3g fat (2g saturated fat); 5mg cholesterol; 150mg sodium; 27g carbohydrates; 0g dietary fiber; 2g protein.

What is UNOS

From UNOS

What is the United Network for Organ Sharing?

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) coordinates the nation's organ transplant system the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), providing vital services to meet the needs of men, women and children awaiting lifesaving organ transplants. Based in Richmond, Virginia, UNOS is a private non-profit membership organization.

UNOS operates the nation's Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) facilitating organ recovery and placement under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What UNOS Does

• Manage the national transplant waiting list, matching donors to recipients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Monitor every organ match to ensure organ allocation policies are followed.
• Bring together members to develop policies that make the best use of the limited supply of organs and give all patients a fair chance at receiving the organ they need ‚Äì regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, religion, lifestyle or financial or social status.
• Educate professional groups about their important role in the donation process.
• Set professional standards for efficiency and quality patient care.
• Maintain the database that contains all organ transplant data. These data are used to improve transplantation, develop organ sharing policies, support the care of patients and help patients make informed healthcare decisions.
• Educate the public about the importance of organ donation.
• Work to keep patients informed about transplant issues and policies.

The UNOS Mission Statement

UNOS advances organ availability and transplantation by uniting and supporting its communities for the benefit of patients through education, technology and policy development.

If you would like to have more information about UNOS, please visit their website at www.unos.org.

Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)

In 1984 Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act that mandated the establishment and operation of a national organ procurement and transplantation network (the OPTN). It also called for the establishment of a scientific registry of patients receiving organ transplants. The purpose of the OPTN is to manage the nation's organ procurement, donation and transplantation system and to increase the availability of and access to donor organs for patients with end-stage organ failure.

Members of the OPTN include all U.S. transplant centers, organ procurement organizations (OPO's), histocompatibility laboratories, volunteer healthcare organizations, medical and scientific organizations and members of the general public.

UNOS established the OPTN in 1986 under contract with the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has operated it continually since that time.

You Can Make a Difference

Plant the seeds of friendship and tend the garden with helping hands. Help our organization provide educational, emotional and financial support, cash grants, donor awareness programs, support group meetings, and this newsletter to transplant patients, their caregivers, family and friends. Your generosity truly makes a difference to those in need of these valuable services. Any size gift will bloom into a bouquet of gifts.

All Contributions are Tax Deductible

United Organ Transplant Association
Is a 501(c)3 Public Benefit, Non-Profit, Charitable Corporation
Federal ID#33-0693906

Don Goss - Editor
United Organ Transplant Association - Publisher

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.