6th Annual Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life

Another successful event this year. Each year it continues to grow and is more exciting! More noise=more donors! Collier would be so proud!

This year the ride was held on June 6th (JASON'S Birthday) and the weather was perfect!!!

Jason with Debbie Gibbs from LifeShare Of The Carolinas and the speakers for the event Charlotte and Emmitt Ray. (see below post "Ray of Hope" what a touching message they shared)! Thanks to all of the riders, volunteers and everyone who helped make the event a huge success.

April is National Donor Awareness Month...help save lives now by clicking here.

Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life JUNE 6, 2009

Click title to visit the Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life Website.

The 2009 Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life cycling event (for all levels of cyclists) will be held on June 6, 2009! Mark your calendars! This event celebrates life and is the SOLE fundraiser for LifeShare Of The Carolinas! We are looking for corporate sponsors, prizes for top fundraisers/cyclists, etc.

Please visit the website today and contact me if you have any questions!
shannoncdevine@yahoo.com

End the Wait Campaign (click on title for more info. on how you can support this cause)

NKF Calls for Action in Organ Donation “END THE WAIT!” Campaign

The National Kidney Foundation has just unveiled a comprehensive action plan designed to increase the number of organs available for donation and transplantation by removing barriers and improving the transplant system. The NKF's "END THE WAIT!" campaign aims to eliminate the waiting list over the next 10 years by enacting programs that are proven and effective to increase organ donation.

With over 25 specific recommendations, it recognizes that no single solution will work. We must work with Congress, the Administration and medical professionals and organizations to transform the organ donation and transplantation system in this country.

You will play a vital role as we build consensus and support for elements of this campaign as they are introduced in Congress. Together, we can remove the barriers to organ donation and make the Gift of Life more available.

The national waiting list for all organs has topped 100,000. Each year thousands die or become too sick for a transplant before they receive an organ. We must "END THE WAIT" for organ donation now.

Recommendations fall into four key areas:
* Improve outcomes of first transplants by extending coverage for immunosuppressive drug coverage and providing patient education about transplantation.
* Increase deceased donation with better hospital training to work with potential donors and expanding the use of Extended Criteria Donors.
* Increase the number of living donations by reimbursing all expenses associated with donation, including lost wages, guaranteeing access to health care and insurance coverage and offering them the best and quickest recovery time.
* Improve the system of donation and transplantation throughout the U.S. by eliminating regional variations and racial disparities.

More information is available on the NKF website by clicking here.

The first element of the campaign has been introduced in Congress. Take a minute to contact your Congressperson and ask him or her to co-sponsor H.R. 218, which would provide a tax credit up to $5000 for unreimbursed expenses, including lost wages, associated with living donation.We look forward to ending the wait for organ donation with your help!
article written by Jayne Mardock, Congressional Relations Director

"Visit a DMV" volunteer Opportunity...this Thursday!

A volunteer training session will be held this Thursday, January 15th to train people to visit DMV offices once a quarter. The session will be held from 11 to 2 across the street from the LifeShare Of The Carolinas office.

If you are interested, please contact Debbie Gibbs at LifeShare Of The Carolinas. 704-512-3303

5000 D Airport Center Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28208
www.lifesharecarolinas.org

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 2009 CLR4L...JUNE 6th

It's official...June 6, 2009 is the date for the Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life event. It will once again be held at Davidson College! Please visit the website for updates (www.collierlillyride4life.com) We are currently seeking corporate and individual sponsors for the event and also accepting prizes for top fundraisers. Last year some of the prizes included Nascar tickets, Bobcats tickets, ASU football tickets and much more. Keep in mind, ALL proceeds go directly to LifeShare Of The Carolinas!

Stay tuned...make plans now and begin training for the ride!

Panthers need a Superbowl win to bring Nationwide attention to team owner, Jerry Richardson...and the National waiting list climbs to 100,000!

The National database has officially hit 100,000 and just a few weeks ago, doctors determined Carolina Panthers Team Owner, Jerry Richardson, will need a heart transplant to survive! My favorite NFL team is the Carolina Panthers, however, I want them to win this Superbowl with HEART!!!

Story from Daily News Football
http://www.nydailynews.com/index.html
As a rookie wide receiver for the Colts in 1959, Richardson caught what turned out to be the winning touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in Baltimore's 31-16 victory over the Giants in the NFL Championship Game. He is the first former player since George Halas to become an owner in the league. He played two seasons with the Colts.

"How many owners can say that?" Mara said. "He's done everything. He's a self-made man all the way. He started his own business and grew it. He ended up buying an NFL team and is one of the best owners in the sport."

Mara has been checking up on him through Richardson's son, Mark, the Panthers' president, and wrote a note to Jerry. The families are very close. Jerry Richardson spent time at Wellington Mara's bedside in his final days before he died in 2005.

Richardson surprised his players by showing up in his box in the end zone for the Panthers' victory last week at home against the Broncos. He is beloved in his locker room. He is respected and influential in NFL circles.

According to the American Heart Association, there is a five-year survival rate of 72% for heart transplant recipients. There are more than 2,000 transplants performed in the United States every year. Richardson has been placed on the United Network for Organ Sharing waiting list.

The median wait is two months for a donor match at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, where Richardson will have the procedure done if a donor is found. But it could also take much longer. There are 2,700 people nationwide on the waiting list; six at CMC.

"It's not exactly a slam-dunk procedure, but they are as optimistic as they can be," Mara said. "Mark said his dad's spirits are very good."

Roger Goodell, then Paul Tagliabue's right-hand man, worked closely on the expansion process when the Panthers were awarded a franchise in 1993 to begin play in 1995. He spent time with Richardson when he was in the hospital two weeks ago.

Please consider becoming a donor in 09...HOW DEVINE!

Need a Tax-Deduction for 2008?

By making a year-end contribution to LifShare, you can help to save lives by increasing the number of people who sign-up for the North Carolina Donor Registry. Contributions may be made in the name of a donor or a special loved one. Thank you letters are sent to the person who makes a contribution as well as to the person or family in honor of whom the donation is made. If you are interested, please send your check to:
LifeShare Of The Carolinas
5000 D Airport Center Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28208

Cancer drug reverses transplant rejection...read more

CHICAGO, December 27, 2008 (AFP) A drug used to treat cancer has proven effective at stopping the body from rejecting a transplanted organ when other treatments failed, a study published Saturday found.

US researchers administered the drug, bortezomib, to six patients whose immune systems were attacking transplanted kidneys and who did not respond to traditional anti-rejection treatments.

In each case, the drug promptly reversed the rejection, improved organ function, provided prolonged reductions in antibody levels and suppressed recurrent rejection for at least five months.

"This has significant implications for transplantation and auto immune disease," said study co-author Steve Woodle, chief of transplant surgery at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

Woodle's team is currently conducting four clinical trials to expand upon these preliminary findings.

The drug's side effects proved to be both predictable and manageable and toxicity levels were much less than those associated with other anti-cancer agents, the study found.

"We are pleased to see its toxicities are similar in transplant recipients suffering from treatment-resistant mixed organ rejection," said study co-author Jason Everly, an oncology pharmacist at the University of Cincinnati.

"We hope it will be a viable therapeutic treatment option in this patient group."

Previous studies had found that B-cells play a large role in organ rejection by making immune proteins that attack transplants.

The drug targets these antibody-producing plasma cells and had been shown to suppress transplant rejection in the laboratory before Woodle and his team tested it on patients.

The study was published in the journal Transplantation.

Spreading Awareness...causes action

I feel horrible for not posting to the blog more regularly. Please forgive me. Organ Donation Awareness is like second nature for Jason & I and it is sorta like posting about your job everyday...what do you say? BUT, that is no excuse...because there's still a shortage and it doesn't have to be that way if we continue to educate and move awareness to action!!!

Many of you know that Jason & I adopted our tiny miracle on Sept. 1st (after many months of fighting to bring her home)...after 5 weeks of life in her birth country and settling into life back in NC, we are finally getting back into a routine (if there is such a thing).

Jason has been busy speaking for LifeShare at various events...Lincoln Medical Center and churches on National Donor Sabbath Day! He has a gift for sharing his story with passion.

The Collier Lilly "planning committee"...we are back to it, early this year. We had a successful event in 08 and 09 will be even better. The date for the ride is set for June 6, 2009 with a make-up rain date, etc for the last weekend in May. We want everyone to get involved this year! It is a FANTASTIC event and ALL proceeds go directly to LifeShare of the Carolinas.

Until next post...think about the number of lives that can be saved by letting a loved one know your wishes!

AND...our tiny miracle, Halle-Grace celebrated her 1st birthday last Wed.

God Bless!
Shannon

Our Devine Miracle

Jason & I have been incredibly busy over the last several months finalizing the adoption of our daughter. I moved to Vietnam for 5 weeks...the month of September...what an incredible journey. We officially adopted our tiny miracle, Halle-Grace Khanh Devine on September 1, 2008. She is our "Little Miss Magic" and we are INCREDIBLY BLESSED!

COntinue to follow our journey! www.ourdevinemiracle.blogspot.com (or click title above).

Ray of Hope.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=rayofhope (or click title for complete story)

Last Sunday Jason & I attended church at Mt. Pleasant UMC, the church where we were married almost 8 years ago. At the beginning of the service, Joe Westfall, the Pastor, played a small video clip of Jason Ray, a brave young man who gave the gift of life...his legacy continues to touch so many and inspire more people to say YES when it comes to Organ/Tissue Donation.

This Sunday, Oct. 19th, Charlotte & Emmitt Ray (Jason's parents) will be at Mt. Pleasant UMC to speak! You don't want to miss the opportunity to hear their story "Ray of Hope".

November 16th is National Donor Sabbath Day. If your church is interested in getting bookmarks from LifeShare, please send me an email shannoncdevine@yahoo.com

Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church is located in Sherrills Ford, NC, in the Lake Norman area. If your church would like to have a speaker or representative to present more about becoming an Organ/Tissue Donor, please let me know.

Life...it's the greatest gift!

God Bless!
Shannon

One year anniversary...Sept. 12th

It is hard to believe that one year has passed since Scott and Jason's transplant surgery!!! Both are doing fantastic!!! God is so good and faithful!

Who would have known that one year later, Halle-Grace & I would be a WORLD away in Vietnam? We are here waiting and praying for our daughter's US Visa!

When we do return to the US we are having a HUGE celebration! We will celebrate the success and good health of both Scott and Jason and of course this tiny miracle, Halle-Grace that we have been blessed with!

GOD IS GOOD!!!

The Devines

NC State Legislature Rejects License Plate Bill

We regret to inform you that the bill to create a specialty license plate on organ donation was not passed. In fact, all license plate bills were recently rejected by the NC state legislature. Rep. Mitch Gillespie says he will reintroduce the measure when the Legislature convenes again. When we have more information, we'll pass it on.

From the LifeShare Of The Carolinas website. Seems like these days I need advocates in every corner of my life! North Carolinians, please reach out to your local reps and ask them to support this bill! Bill 1372, was also but to the side but giving up in not in "Team Donate Devines" vocabulary! More awareness=more lives saved. Moving awareness to action is key!

I apologize for not posting in over a month! Jason & I received a Request for Further Evidence(RFE)on July 19th. We dreamed of having Halle-Grace home by August. The USCIS says we must prove that Halle-Grace is an orphan. Please pray for our family and the numerous other families who received this news on July 19th. All of the families have the same goal...to be united with our children.

So, now you know why I said, "seems like I need advocates in every part of life these days". As my mother in law says, "this too shall pass". God is faithful! He will bring our children home. We appreciate your prayers!

God Bless,
Shannon

The Gift of Life: an amazing story of friendship that started between total strangers.

As many of you know, Jason completed Race Across AMerica (RAAM) as part of 8-man RAAM/Team Donate Life last summer, cycling across America for Organ Donation Awareness. During our trip to California we had the chance to meet two amazing individuals. Jason & Kristen Weckworth. Jason Weckworth was part of a 4-man team and I remember him as "the Jason who donated a kidney to his father". Jason W. was extremely helpful when Jason Devine became a living donor for Scott last September.

Kristen and I talked about various things leading up to the start of the race....and I remember the feeling I felt when she told me, "I want to be a donor for a complete stranger and give someone out there a second chance at life!" I was incredibly touched!!

Today, July 8th, that "someone out there" received the gift of life because of Kristen. If you don't have goose bumps now, go back and read the last few sentences!
WOW!!!

Please visit Kristen & Staci's blog so that you can follow their journey through this life-saving process http://ourtransplant.blogspot.com/ (click on the title to visit) and even comment on their blog. As her husband Jason Weckworth described, "It’s quite an amazing story of friendship that started between total strangers."

Kristen, you are now among my list of heroes and I know that Staci has the same feeling Scott had 10 months ago! You have given Staci a NEW LIFE!

God Bless You Both! We are praying for full and quick recoveries!

Jason & Shannon Devine

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we GIVE!" Winston Churchill

I just finished entering MANY on-line registration forms and I am always excited to do so! I take the "Very Big Heart" on-line registration forms with me to various speaking engagements. There are still many folks who want to become a donor but just don't have the means to get on-line. I simply have them complete and sign the form, I witness their signature and it's done, that easy!!! Often entering the data can take hours. Hours that = lives saved! I want to thank the many individuals who are taking action.

In the month of April(the first full month on the NC on-line registry)over 107,000 North Carolinians became organ/tissue donors. What an incredible success for the on-line donation launch! I hope the NC legislators who gave me time when "The Heart Prevails" are proud of the work that has been accomplished and the lives that will be saved. I can see that number increasing week after week!

Many donors and their families have shared with me that they see the decision to donate a rewarding choice. The decision to donate leaves a positive legacy through the knowledge that others LIVE because of their CHOICE...their GIFT!

Moving Awareness to Action!
Shannon Devine

Sadie’s Grace ~ Promote, Inspire, Save Lives!

"Sometimes in life you choose your passions, other times your passions choose you!" Earlier this week I received a surprising yet exciting phone call from Laura Page. Laura was the angel who connected the link between a classmate & Sadie Redding. You can read the story of Sadie and the legacy she left behind (blog post on April 19th)...Sadie saved many lives! Sadie's mother Chrissie gave Laura my name and told her to call. Laura will be competing in a MAO preliminary and has asked me to help her with preparations, paperwork, etc. Believe me, this young lady doesn't need my help, her passion will set your heart on fire! I have attached a portion of Laura's essay. Laura and I will be teaming up to increase awareness and move it to ACTION! I am thrilled about working with Laura to honor the life of Sadie and the unforgettable gift she gave to many!

Written by Laura Abigail Page
Volunteerism is a way of life presenting the opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life, while enhancing one's own. In my experience engaging in community service has opened my eyes and my heart as I learn about the difficulties and challenges others face, as well as their victories and triumphs. I am able to "walk a mile in their shoes" as they say, and by doing so, my understanding of the world is expanded. My platform, Sadie’s Grace ~ Promote, Inspire, Save Lives is a campaign to promote organ, eye and tissue donation. Nearly 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for the gift of life, 4,000 of whom live in the Tarheel state. Sadly, eighteen people across our country die each day awaiting an organ transplant, and the number is growing. One organ donor can potentially save or enhance the lives of up to 50 individuals.

Until January 2008, I was opposed to being an organ donor. My stance changed completely when the circle of life was revealed right in front of my eyes! Some people say my experience was coincidence, but I whole-heartedly believe it was an act of God. On January 31st, 2007 a dear friend of mine, Sadie Redding, was killed in a car accident. Only three months prior to her death she became an organ donor when she received her driver's license. Because of this selfless yet simple act, she was able, upon her death, to save many lives. This, in itself, was significant enough, but it was a few months later in a Voice and Diction class at CPCC when the life-changing events unfolded.

For my first reading, I chose to read an article about Sadie detailing the many lives she had touched during her brief life. At the end of my reading a classmate, Charlotte, asked me if she could have the article. Without thinking or wondering why, I handed it to her. Moments later she revealed to me that she received two of Sadie's organs and was now alive and well because of her gift. I immediately hugged her and that moment will stay forever in my mind because hugging Charlotte was, in a way, hugging Sadie again, something I never thought I would be able to do. Charlotte's hug was the warmest hug I have ever experienced and the feelings I felt then cannot be fully expressed with words. Later that day, returning to my car and turning on the radio, I was amazed to hear the very song that was playing as I entered Sadie's funeral, "How Great is Our God." This was no coincidence.

As soon as I could I told Sadie's parents about Charlotte and they were able to meet her on the day before the one year anniversary of Sadie’s death. This story has touched so many people's lives in a powerful way. I know my message is effective in motivating people to become donors. I gave a persuasive speech in my public speaking class on this topic and everyone who was not a donor prior to the speech became one that day as they were moved by this story. In addition to being a vocal advocate, I have also given out information at Spring Fest at CPCC to raise awareness and call others to action. It is my goal to touch people's lives with this story in hopes that they will become organ donors.

According to LifeShare Of The Carolinas, "Approximately 106 people are added to the national transplant waiting list every day, which amounts to four people every hour. Nationwide, African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans comprise over 50% of the waiting list for a kidney transplant. In North Carolina and in many other Southern states, that figure exceeds 70%." I want everyone to understand the importance of organ donation and the growing need for it by completing three simple steps to be a donor. As a LifeShare volunteer, I plan to raise awareness by writing newspaper articles, making radio and television appearances on local stations, and speaking at high schools, colleges and community organizations. I plan to discuss this life-saving issue wherever people will listen. In order to raise money for Sadie’s Scholarship or for LifeShare of the Carolinas I would like to start a community volleyball tournament to be held in Sadie’s honor. Sadie played and enjoyed volleyball more than any other sport. The volleyball tournament is a wonderful way to bring the community together at a fun annual event and to honor Sadie by raising money for the scholarship established in her memory.

I am completely committed to this issue. Raising awareness about organ donation is my passion and my goal is to inspire others to give the greatest gift, life!

U.S. Transplant Games coming in July!

In July, 27 transplants recipients and six donor families will take part in the opening ceremonies for the U.S. Transplant Games, including several children, four from NC! These families are truly heroes.

In addition to the Olympic-style competition, a Donor Recognition Ceremony and series of workshops is scheduled for the family members of organ donors...the real heroes of the transplant equation.

Team North Carolina will compete in the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games which will be held in Pittsburg. Sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation, it is described as the world's largest-ever gathering of transplant recipients.

During the Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life, I had the pleasure of meeting one of these brave participants! Receiving a new heart last November...Good Luck my friend, I can see you bringing the Gold medal home!

Don't forget to "Share your life, Share your decision!"

Shannon

Watch the Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life TV coverage! Continuing to move awareness to ACTION!

CLICK ON THE TITLE TO WATCH THE COVERAGE

Very exciting! Jillian's story still gives me goose bumps and don't you love Scott? He is the most humble person in the world! It has been 9 months since Jason's kidney donation to Scott! Both men, as you can see in the TV coverage, are doing well! The news story states 80,000 people in need, however, there are nearly 100,000 people on the waiting list. 99,049 as of today at 6:17pm EST to be exact! You can make a difference! You can save lives!

It's a gift...the most memorable one you'll ever give or receive!

Do you have questions about organ donation? Misconceptions? Do you need a trained speaker for your next event or want to join the workplace initiative? Contact me!

God Bless!

Shannon

Life-Saving News! New on-line registry in NC is moving awareness to ACTION!

The results are in for the month of April. April is National Organ Donation Awareness Month. As a result of Bill 1372 "The Heart Prevails" being passed into law, NC went LIVE when it comes to saving lives! Thousands of people on the waiting list for life-saving transplants have a reason to celebrate!
107,795 people registered to be organ donors in North Carolina during the month of April 2008. 11,660 more drivers said yes to organ donation this year!

The on-line registry is definitely increasing donors. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is still responsible for signing up majority of organ donors through the sheer volume of people who visit the DMV every day. At the DMV alone, 50.4% of North Carolina drivers said yes to organ donation, adding 10,408 more people to the registry in North Carolina. Another reason to CELEBRATE!

It's not too late to sign-up. Visit www.verybigheart.com to register online. It's quick, easy and your privacy is protected.

NC residents: For more information visit www.lifesharecarolinas.org
or www.verybigheart.com
If you live outside of the Tarheel state, visit www.donatelife.net (links can be found at the top of this page).

Moving Awareness to ACTION!
Shannon Devine