Table of conTenTs

Message from the CEO

What’s New

Feature Story

Did You Know

On The Board

Multicultural Outreach Program

Donor Family Services

Hospital Development

Community Outreach

Upcoming Events

A Donate Life Organization

mission

The Center for Organ

Recovery & Education

(CORE) is a non-profit

organization dedicated

to promoting donation,

education, and research

for the purpose of

saving and improving

the quality of life

through organ,

tissue, and cornea

transplantation.

message from The ceo susan stuart, center for organ recovery & education ceo

The community of people who support organ, tissue and cornea donation is diverse. People from all walks of life rally together to support this cause, and we’re better because of it.

That’s especially beneficial because people at all stages of life need life-saving organs—from infants to people in their later years. Still, a misconception exists. Some older Americans worry that they are too old to register to become a donor.

We wanted to set the record straight: That myth is unequivocally false.

Age should not be a factor in your decision to register as a donor. Every donor is evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the time of their death to determine which organs or tissue are suitable for donation.

Another thing we hear often from seniors is that they assume they are ineligible to donate because they have an illness or chronic health condition. That’s not entirely true, either. Someone who may not be able to donate a heart may still be a candidate for cornea donation, for example.

In some cases, organs that do not qualify for transplantation may still be eligible to donate for research and education purposes. These donations are incredibly valuable and make a significant impact on the lives of more people than we’ll ever be able to quantify.

June 2016

core Vision: Every potential donor will make a Pledge for Life.

core ValUes

inTegriTy: CORE would not exist without the trust and support of the community it serves.

compassion: CORE honors its donors and donor families.

QUaliTy: CORE upholds stringent clinical standards to ensure the quality of donated organs and tissue.

responsiVeness: CORE operates in a fast-paced, detail-oriented manner.

edUcaTion: CORE recognizes that education is needed to uphold public trust and for the public we serve to make informed donation decisions.

innoVaTion: CORE is a long-standing pioneer in the organ and tissue procurement field.

respecT: CORE has respect for both death and life.

life: Most importantly, we value the legacy of life our donors have left and the second chance at life that transplant recipients have as a result.

sTaTisTicsNational Waiting List: 120,335

CORE Waiting List: 2,738

• Every 10 minutes another name is added to the waiting list.

• On average, 22 people will pass each day waiting for their life saving transplant.

• 90% of Americans say they support donation, yet only 30% actually know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

• One organ and tissue donor can save 8 lives and enhance the lives of more than 50 individuals.

WhaT’s neWdonate life america and Upmc partner to increase living donor Transplant awareness

Donate Life America and UPMC are collaborating on a first-of-its-kind online community aimed at increasing living donor transplant awareness. The initiative recently launched with the activation of the Donate Life America/UPMC Living Donor Transplant Facebook page, the first step in creating a social space for patients, donors and prospective donors to connect, get educated and share their stories.

“Donate Life America is proud to be a part of this effort to increase living donor transplant awareness,” said David Fleming, president and CEO of Donate Life America. “We applaud UPMC’s commitment to innovation and desire to educate the public about living donation and its lifesaving benefits.”

“The transplant field has come a long way over the last 20 years, but the organ shortage has gotten worse,” said Abhinav Humar, M.D., UPMC’s chief of transplantation. “One of the main reasons living donor transplants haven’t taken off is because of a lack of information about the process, what it involves and who can be candidates. This initiative is a way to disseminate living donor transplant information to more people, which could help alleviate the organ shortage and save countless lives.”

In addition to featuring educational content about living donation, including videos from experts, articles and patient stories, the intent of the Facebook page is to allow patients and families a place to share their stories and connect with others whose lives have been affected by transplantation. The goal of the partnership is to reduce the pediatric and adult liver and kidney waiting lists, eradicate pediatric waiting list deaths, and improve access to transplants nationally.

hearT TransplanT sUpporT groUp

saturday, July 23rd • 12pm

panera bread meeting room3401 Blvd of the Allies,Pittsburgh, PA 15213

The meetings are open discussion — bring your personal victories to share, your concerns, and your questions. If you wish to attend please contact Tom Meshanko at:

t.meshanko@verizon.net.

The Heart Transplant Support Group’s goal is to provide support to Pre-Transplant and Post-Transplant individuals in the physical and emotional areas through discussion. The information shared is personal and should be kept private within the support group.

feaTUre sTory remembering dr. arffa

Every individual who works with CORE is, in some way, responsible for forever changing someone’s life. Dr. Robert Arffa, medical director of CORE’s eye division, changed countless lives for the better through the gift of sight. This summer, CORE joined the health care community in mourning the passing of Dr. Arffa, who died in a plane crash on June 16.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with Dr. Arffa’s family and friends,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO. “We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to them on this sudden and tragic loss.”

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Arffa was a pioneer in corneal transplantation. Since 1992, he served as the medical director of the Eye Bank of Western Pennsylvania, and he continued in that role when the Eye Bank merged with CORE in 1996.

In the past 20 years, his leadership and vision ensured that CORE was using the very latest technology to improve corneal recovery and transplantation. In doing so, he enabled CORE to give the gift of sight to thousands of people, which is now an integral part of his legacy. “The most rewarding part is really getting the corneas and being able to give them to patients,” Dr. Arffa told CORE Connections in a 2015 interview. “Almost every day, I see people who have received corneas and now see better because of it.”

Dr. Arffa was a member of the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group, the Pittsburgh Ophthalmology Society, the Castroviejo Society, the EBAA Paton Society, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Throughout his career, Dr. Arffa received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Robert Arffa was 62.

anoTher core Vehicle Wrapped WiTh faces of donaTion

CORE wrapped a second vehicle sharing photos of transplant recipients and donor family members from CORE’s coverage area.

WashingTon Wild Things fUndraiser game

Join Western PA Kidney Support Groups, PKD Foundation and the Washington Wild Things

for Kidney Disease Awareness Night.

To ensure your ticket money goes to the fund,

complete a form and return it to CONSOL Energy Park - or -log onto the team’s website:

www.washingtonwildthings.com and purchase your tickets

online using Username: Kidney Disease

Password: yokeith

SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016Game Time 7:05pm

One Washington Federal WayWashington, PA 15301

did yoU KnoW Life in action: Team Pittsburgh celebrates the 2016 Transplant Games

In June, the CORE team packed their bags and drove to Cleveland to join Team Pittsburgh and their family and friends for the 2016 Donate Life Transplant Games of America. The goal of the games is simple: It’s a

weeklong, multi-sport festival that gives individuals who have undergone life-saving transplant surgeries the opportunity to showcase what these gifts have done for them. Additionally, the games present an opportunity for organ, cornea and tissue transplant recipients to bond, meet donor families and celebrate the precious gift of life.

“One of the most amazing things about going is the fact that people come from all over the United States,” says Lynda Staylor, community outreach coordinator. “You get to meet all these individuals, connect and share your stories.” CORE and Team Pittsburgh represented in big numbers with a group of 60 athletes comprised of eight living donors and 52 recipients. Eight donor family members were also in attendance. Members of the team turned out to be true rock stars in the town that serves as the home of the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. They brought home a total of 79 medals, including 30 gold, 23 silver and 26 bronze.

The team participated in a wide range of events, from ballroom dancing and Texas Hold-Em poker to corn hole and Lyrics for Life, a singing competition. The games also included traditional events, including swimming, volleyball, tennis, bowling, and track and field.

The week included a number of special events: the opening ceremonies, the closing ceremonies and the annual donor tribute. In addition, CORE was honored to host a dinner that paid tribute to Team Pittsburgh. The dinner was held before the closing ceremonies for the games.

“With their performance at the games, their personal stories and their dedication to our mission, these athletes have truly achieved rock-star status in our minds,” said Susan A. Stuart, president/CEO of CORE. “We wanted to make sure they knew how much CORE appreciated them.”

Another highlight of the games is the memorial hall honoring those who have given the most precious gift. “It’s always very emotional,” Staylor added. “All of the donor families are invited to submit a photo of their loved ones, and the hallways are then lined with their photos. It’s all about honoring the families to pay tribute. Without these individuals, a lot of the participants wouldn’t be there. It makes it very special.”

august is national eye exam month

August is National Eye Exam Month and a good time to see your eye doctor for a comprehensive dilated eye exam—the best way to know if your eyes are healthy.

A comprehensive dilated eye exam includes a dilation, so that your eye care professional can view the inside of your eyes, a glaucoma test, a side vision measurement and a visual acuity test, which typically involves reading an eye chart to determine how well a person can see at a distance.

Experts recommend getting annual comprehensive dilated eye exams one starting at age 60.

Living a healthy lifestyle, knowing your family’s eye health history, using protective eyewear during sports and wearing sunglasses outdoors are other steps that can help you keep your eyes healthy and prevent vision loss from eye disease.

WesTern pa Kidney sUpporT groUp fUndraiser

The Western PA Kidney Support Groups needs your support. Bringing together more than 10,000 people in the region, we hold support groups to share experiences and provide vital information for our members. In addition to connecting with our 600 members through our support groups, we provide phone line support, host seminars and conferences, as well as attending events to raise awareness of our organization. To help expand WPKSG, we need your financial support to fund our informational brochures, support group expenses and advertising efforts.

For each donation of $20 or more, you will receive a free t-shirt of your choice plus a button and bumper sticker. We have a limited selection of sizes from S-3XL. To make a donation, please call 412-427-2969 or email Jack Silverstein at silverjacki@yahoo.com and include your address, as well as which shirt and size you would like. Upon receiving a check, your shirt, button and bumper sticker will be shipped to your home free of charge.

on The board Tom hunter, core board of directors

Tom Hunter knows how to communicate emotional stories. Currently the associate state director of communications for AARP West Virginia, Hunter has served as the voice behind some of West Virginia’s most prominent figures, including turns as assistant press secretary to former Governor Cecil Underwood and press secretary to former Governor Joe Manchin.

“I worked with both governors through national and international media events,” Hunter said. “There were 28 days of my life in January 2006 I’ll never forget.” Those 28 days included two tragic mining accidents that deeply affected West Virginia and the nation. The infamous Sago Mine disaster on Jan. 2, 2006, an explosion that trapped 13 coal miners, and the Aracoma Mine fire in Logan County, West Virginia that trapped two miners on Jan. 19, 2006. The accidents, which claimed the lives of 14 miners, prompted sweeping changes to mine safety laws on the state and federal level.

“That experience, the time spent at those mine sites with the rescue workers and families in the days that followed, will remain with me for the rest of my life,” Hunter said. It was during Hunter’s work with Gov. Underwood that he was first introduced to CORE. When a co-worker’s nephew was killed in a car accident, he became a donor—and sparked interest in organ donation throughout the governor’s office.

“We as a staff were supportive during that tragedy, and the governor’s office became more involved with CORE,” Hunter said. “We worked with CORE on yearly proclamations and also co-hosted a visit to the State Capitol by Ryan Tripp, a Salt Lake City, Utah teenager, who was riding a lawnmower across the nation to raise awareness for organ donation. That was my first opportunity to take on CORE’s great cause.”

In 2011, there was an opening on CORE’s board with a particular need for someone with a public relations and communications background. A former commissioner for the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles approached Hunter about the opening, and he said it was an instant decision.

“I was thrilled and honored to be asked to serve with a quality organization like CORE,” Hunter said.Although his family has never been touched directly by organ donation, he has seen close friends—the mother of the best man in his wedding, in particular—benefit from a kidney donation.

Growing up in southeast Ohio, his aunt was a deputy registrar for the Ohio DMV for more than 25 years, bringing that cause front and center in his life as a teen. “I made the decision to become a donor at an early age,” Hunter said. “I have always felt strongly about giving the gift of life.”

He referenced CORE’s recent “Say Yes” television campaign as an example of why registering to become a donor is so vital. “It’s a powerful message,” Hunter said. “Put yourself in that position. It could be you. It could be a loved one in need of a transplant. It could all change tomorrow. Why wouldn’t you want the opportunity to give back?”

Team piTTsbUrgh - TGA 2016

SAVE LIVES • LEARN HOW Saturday, July 23 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Schenley Plaza @ Schenley Park 4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA

echo me at www.core.org

izzie’s dash for donaTion

oTda edUcaTors insTiTUTe

Educators across the state of Pennsylvania had an opportunity to attend a conference providing ideas on how to incorporate organ and tissue donation awareness into their curriculum. CORE Volunteers. Marty Brown and Anna Oldham attended to share how they are impacted by donation.

mUlTicUlTUral oUTreach program Donate Life ECHO - July 10-23, 2016

The Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT) and Donate Life America (DLA) joined forces in 2015 to develop Donate Life ECHO, which stands for Every Community Has Opportunity. It will be celebrated July 10 – 23, 2016, as a nationwide observance designed to reach multicultural communities.

The observance has two objectives: one is to focus on the power of sharing one’s personal decision to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor with members of one’s community; the second is to encourage registered donors to ask members of their personal networks and extended communities to talk about organ, eye and tissue donation and register as donors. Through the ECHO concept of reiteration and repetition—with people sharing the life-affirming message of donation within their community—more lives will be saved and healed. Multicultural communities play a critical role in America’s transplant system. They save and heal lives as donors of organs, eyes and tissue, need lifesaving kidney transplants in disproportionately high numbers, and serve patients and families as healthcare professionals. For more information, visit AMAT1.org.

There are numerous ways to show your support of this observance. Review the resources and important dates at https://www.donatelife.net/echo/.

donor family serVices special place ceremony

In May, CORE honored the families of organ, tissue and cornea donors during its annual A Special Place ceremony. Over 1,000 people attended the event, which recognized the amazing generosity of donors, who gave others a second chance at life through organ tissue and cornea donation.

“When we lose a loved one, it is deeply felt throughout families, and by friends, colleagues and neighbors. That loved one’s entire support network grieves. Through organ, tissue and cornea donation, that loved one can also continue to affect even more people in a different way—by saving and enhancing their lives,” said Susan Stuart, President and CEO, CORE. “Each year, A Special Place is a moving event where we come together to celebrate hope, remembrance and renewal, and show our gratitude to our donors and donor families.”

Prior to the ceremony, family members pinned quilt squares in remembrance of their loved ones. Stories of transformation and hope were shared during the ceremony. Jamie Gibson shared how her daughter, Faith, was able to regain normalcy in her life – playing soccer with her older sister, for example – after receiving a heart transplant. Kyree Beachem’s family took a long-hoped-for family vacation to Florida because she is in good health after receiving a multiple organ transplant, said her mom, Nan Beachem. Evelyn Morales shared the heroic story of her daughter, Arianna, who gave the final yet enduring gift of life as Kyree’s donor.

Musical performances featured the Southminster Ringers; vocalist Janina Simone and bagpiper Charles Gledich. A musical tribute was also played as a member from each donor family stood to receive a special remembrance on behalf of those who received a second chance.

“The people forever touched by organ donation know its power, and their stories help us to advance our mission and end the wait for people in desperate need of a life-saving transplant,” Stuart said. “If each person registers to be an organ, cornea and tissue donor, we can help end the wait and bring hope to those in need of a transplant.”

Evelyn Morales, a donor mother; Kyree Beachem, an organ recipient; and Nan Beachem, Kyree’s mother.

Team piTTsbUrgh -TGA 2016

WhaT’s yoUr #coreWorKoUT ?

We need your help getting people moving for donation to increase organ, tissue and cornea donor registration through your #COREworkout.

Participation is simple and easy. Fill out a “COREworkout” sign with a brief description of how donation has affected your life and why you are active. Share a photo or video on our Facebook page and encourage others to register, too.

What is a #COREworkout? It could be a short walk, gardening or another activity.

Be sure to use the #COREworkout hashtag, register as a donor, and get moving for donation! For resources visit www.core.org.

hospiTal deVelopmenT 2016 Hospital Partner Symposium

Thursday, May 5th, 2016 marked the ground-breaking date when CORE agents collaborated with nurses from West Virginia and Pennsylvania to share their inside intelligence about organ, tissue, and corneal donation.

This exciting conference was an excellent way for the healthcare teams to become more engaged in our mission, vision, and values at CORE. Our team including Leadership, Professional Services, and Community Outreach teamed up to share all of their secrets during a pre-conference, main conference, and break-out sessions. Registered nurses walked away recharged to continue their mission in the hospital setting. They all received continued education credits for their significant role in the process.

The conference was held at the Four Points Sheraton in Charleston, WV, Susan A. Stuart welcomed all new agents and invited special agents to share their stories and expertise. Sue Pilon (Interim COO at Michigan Works) shared her survival story of beating breast cancer and how a tissue transplant changed her quality of life. Thomas Buersmeyer, with LifeNet Health, explained the many uses of donated tissue and how the future of tissue donation may impact more than just recipients. Additionally, Janice Anderson, CORE’s Ocular Customer Service Specialist educated the agents on the importance of excellent eye care to preserve the opportunity for cornea donation. Lastly, Mark Succheralli and Nikki Taylor called all agents together to illustrate how early imminent and timely tissue referrals improve patient outcomes and provide opportunities for those waiting for life-saving and life-enhancing transplants. Agents were also prepped for their next mission to transfer a patient to CORE.

After a morning snack break, UPMC Presbyterian’s Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Amit D. Tevar, MD took our agents through the world of transplantation, explaining the need and process for living donation of liver and kidneys. Special agent, Freddie Eddie, a living kidney donor, shared his unselfish story of donating a kidney to his aunt.

Following the delicious Cinco De Mayo fiesta lunch, agents broke out into two separate missions. The first breakout was The Family Discussion. CORE coordinators, Chelsie Sobecki, Eric Mirosavich, Brian Bricker, Meghan Cook, and Caitlin Campbell took agents to the scene of a very intense family discussion demonstrating real-life situations of grieving families making the hard decision of whether or not to donate. The second breakout was “Using Your Hospital to Engage the Community.” This was led by Misty Enos, Christy Conley, and Lisa Upsher. They demonstrated how hospitals can become a strong force by engaging their community in our shared mission of saving and enhancing lives.

One last snack break led agents into the world of Palliative Care. Dr. Josh Dower explained a very emotional DCD (Donation after Cardiac Death) case while explaining how palliative care consults positively impact the donation process. Specifically, he spoke to the case of Nolan Burch. He celebrated his life and talked about the beauty of donation. The Burch family was in attendance and T..J. Burch (donor father) shared their story about his son and the impact donation has had on their lives.

The collaborative concluded with Colleen Sullivan sharing a behind-the-scenes look at CORE’s 12-month family support program. This program has been designed for all donor families to aid in the grieving process, including our Special Place ceremonies. Susan A. Stuart closed the mission file of saving and enhancing lives by thanking everyone for attending and reminding agents to use their new found knowledge to preserve every opportunity for donor and recipient families.

“This is not mission difficult, this is mission Possible!”

Dr. Dower with donor parents, T.J. and Kim Burch.

QUicK linKs

comments and/or Questions

submit your story

become a Volunteer

Join our mailing list

regisTer To become a donor

www.donatelifepa.org

www.donatelifewv.org

VisiT oUr linKs

WesTern pa Kidney sUpporT groUps

The Western PA Kidney Support Group is a non-profit organization which has 12 locations all over Western PA. The group is comprised of kidney patients, transplant recipients, caregivers, friends, family & professionals. Anyone is welcome to attend a meeting.

Please contactJack Silverstein at either

412-427-2969 orsilverjacki@yahoo.com

www.wpakidneysupport.org

Upcoming eVenTs core Website: calendar of events

CORE holds special events throughout the organization’s service area to enhance the profile of organ, tissue and cornea donation, and to provide opportunities for fellowship to those whose lives have been touched by donation. To stay on top of upcoming events throughout CORE’s service area and local events, visit https://www.core.org/community-outreach/calendar-of-events/. For more information please call 412-963-3550

commUniTy oUTreach WoW! moment: designation champion, gene Wolbert

Veteran CORE volunteer Gene Wolbert has taken CORE’s volunteer donor designation challenge to heart—literally. The Fairchance, PA native and heart recipient has registered nearly 300 new donors since the first of the year.

Gene’s personal goal is to register 366 donors in 2016—one for each day of the year. After each designation that Gene collects, he crosses off one day from a wall calendar that hangs in his home. He says that working to register new donors is his way of honoring his heart donor—a 41-year-old woman from Iowa.

Christine M. Bayuk, MEd, CHES, a coordinator of the Organ and Tissue Donation Program at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, personally noticed the spike in designations coming from Fayette County and immediately penned an email to CORE questioning the data.

“Fayette County had [more than 100] new organ designations. Do you have any explanation as to why? It surprised me and I’m curious,” she wrote.

CORE’s response: “Gene Wolbert!”

The number of designations from Fayette County have increased every month from January 2011 through December 2015, rising a total of nearly 4% during that period.

Gene earned CORE’s ‘Designation Champion’ award in 2015 and 2016. He also is a 2016 Presidential Volunteer Award recipient, captain of TEAM FAYETTE and serves as the Uniontown CORE DMV Ambassador. Events that Gene has attended in the last year include the Fayette County Fair, the Uniontown Italian Festival and the AHN Jefferson Hospital flag raising ceremony for National Donate Life Month.

Gene received a heart transplant in August 2008 after spending more than two years on the National Transplant Waiting List. When he’s not collecting donor designations, Gene tends to his garden and spends time with his two children, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and wife Shirley—to whom he’s been married for 50 years!

Gene will be teaching a class for CORE volunteers in the summer of 2016, where he’ll give the audience a glimpse of some of his best designation techniques. Please watch your email and the newsletter for more details.