VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1 SPRING 2018

2 Celebrating20Years

Debbie’sNextChapter

4 RecordSettingYear

DMVAwards

6 DonateLifeMonth

8 LifeShareLeadershipChanges

10 HospitalStatistics

12 Counselor’sCorner

www.LifeShareCarolinas.org | 800.932.GIVE

LifeShare’s First Public Relations Manager and

Newsletter Editor Says Goodbye

DEBBIE MANN GIBBS RETIRES FROM LIFESHARE

old. Stephen has now graduated from college and the sky’s the limit!When I look back at my career with LifeShare, some of the highlights that come to mind are winning the Reg Green Award for Excellence in Communications, the Collier Lilly bike rides, front-page stories in the Charlotte Observer, the Chris Henry story, Barbers Know Basketball and most recently, the coverage surrounding Sam Wyche in the

Rose Parade. I will be forever proud that it was my work that resulted in children getting to ring the bell at the Levine Children’s Hospital

when they are going home from a transplant or chemotherapy treatment.

Thank you, each of you, for what you have meant to my life. It has been my pleasure to

write this newsletter for the past 20 years, to get to know you, to work with you on projects, to support you during bad times and to celebrate with you in good ones. I wish you the best on your own journey, no matter where you are on

the road we call life. To quote an old Irish blessing, “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again,

may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.”

–Debbie

Left: One of Debbie’s many interviews Right: Debbie wins the AOPO Reg Green Award, 2014

The year was 1998. Google and JetBlue Airlines

were founded. The Monica Lewinsky scandal

was dominating the headlines. Saving Private

Ryan was one of the top movies of the year and

a group of 20 somethings living in New York

City were everyone’s favorite Friends. That year

was also a big milestone in LifeShare’s history -

when our newsletter made its debut.

20 YEARS Originallytitled,LifeTimes,theintentwastoprovidethelatestnewsondonationandtransplantationtodonorfamilies,transplantrecipientsandhealthcareprofessionals.Thenewsletterhasevolvedovertheyears,butonethingremainedconstant,itsonlyeditorwasDebbieGibbs.Afterasuccessful24-yearcareerwithLifeShare,Debbie’stenurehascometoanendandsheisenjoyingthenew-foundfreedomofretirement.

TakingthereinsaseditorisLifeShare’snewCommunityRelationsManagerKateMcCullough,whowilloverseeourinternalandexternalcommunications,outreachandmarketinginitiatives.Kateisnotnewtothedonationcommunity.SheheldasimilarroleatNevadaDonorNetworkforfiveyears.Whenherdaughterwasborntwoyearsago,sheandherhusbanddecidedtomoveclosertofamily,andchosetheCharlottearea.Kateis

honoredtocontinueherjourneyindonation,whichhasbeenapersonalpassionformanyyears.Shelooksforwardtomeetingalloftheincrediblepeoplewhomakethislife-savingmissionpossible–fromthedonorfamiliesandtransplantrecipientstothehealthcareprofessionalsandcommunitypartners.

AswecelebrateDebbie’smanysuccessesandlookaheadtothefutureofLifeShare,weareproudtointroducethenewLifeShare Link.Thisnewsletterhasalwaysandwillcontinuetolinkyou–ourcommunity–toimportantinformationaboutLifeShareandotherdonationandtransplantationnewswithafewnewtwists.Wehopethisnewsletterremindseveryreaderofthepowerfullinkbetweendonorfamiliesandtransplantrecipients.Withoutthem,wewouldn’thavethehonorofcarryingoutourmissionofimprovinglivesthroughorgan,eyeandtissuedonation.

OF LINKING YOU TO LIFESHARE

All good things must come to an end and my tenure here at LifeShare Of The Carolinas is one of them. It has been my pleasure to work with an incredible group of people over the past 24 years. I’ve seen a bunch, grown a lot and most of all, made some incredible friends along the way.When I walked out of the door for the last time it was bittersweet. I was putting the cap on a career that began in the 70’s on the floor of a bustling newsroom in St. Louis and ended in my own little spot at LifeShare. I wouldn’t trade any of the experiences for the world!When I started at LifeShare, my youngest son was in the first grade. Desktops were where you put your coffee. So much has changed, but through it all, the people are what has made the job worthwhile. I still remember Mr. and Mrs. Lipscomb, one of the first donor families to say yes in 1994 when I approached them about donating their

teenage son’s organs. Later that year, the “Tin Man” got a new heart when he was only a month

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BooneMorehead CityHendersonvilleBrevardAsheville (West)

DONOR DESIGNATION RATE

74.9% 74.0% 69.0% 68.3% 67.0%

YanceyvilleFranklinAlbemarleSylvaLenoir (Hudson)

YEAR TO YEARINCREASE

10.1% 5.5% 4.9% 4.1% 3.9%

Katherine Hrbolich,

Double Lung Recipient,

2017

114,755Americans waiting

for a transplant

3,039 North Carolinians

waiting for a transplant

5,107,603 Registered donors in

North Carolina

Boonediditagain!TheDMVstationinBooneonceagainleadsthestateforthehighestpercentageofcustomersregisteringasorganandeyedonors.

TheBoonestationhadadonordesignationrateof75%in2017,anearly2%increasefromthepreviousyear.RoundingoutthetopfiveareMoreheadCity,Hendersonville,BrevardandAshevilleWest.

Morethan70%oftheDMVofficeshadanincreaseindonorregistrationin2017.Thelargestincreasewasanimpressive10%atYanceyville.Franklinpostedanearly6%jump,followedbyAlbemarle,SylvaandLenoir(Hudson).

PleasejoinusinthankingtheDMVexaminers.Withouttheircommitmenttoaskingeachcustomeriftheywouldliketoregisterasadonor,wewouldn’thavemorethan5millionNorthCaroliniansregistered.WealsowanttothankthededicatedDMVambassadorswhosehardworkensurestheDMVstationsarealwaysstockedwithdonationmaterials.

OF SAVING LIVES

ONE DMV CUSTOMER AT A TIME

RECORD YEAR

SAVING LIVES

Thedonationandtransplantationcommunityisproudtoannouncemorelivesweresavedin

2017thaneverbefore-thankstoheroicdonors,bothlivinganddeceased.34,768transplantswereperformedintheUSlastyear,whichledtoa3.4%increaseinthenumberoflivessaved.Theincreaseintransplantsmarksthefifthconsecutiverecord-settingyear.

Newslikethisgiveshopetothe115,000Americanswaitingforalife-savinggift,peoplelikeKatherineHrbolich.AfterlivingwithemphysemaandCOPDforseveralyears,shebegantestingtogetlistedforalungtransplant.ShewasplacedonthewaitinglistinApril2017.JustonemonthlaterKatherinegotthecallthatgavehertheabilitytobreathefreelyonceagain.

Forthefirsttimeever,thenumberofdeceaseddonorsnationwidewasmorethan10,000.101ofthoseheroicdonorsgavethegiftoflifeintheLifeShareservicearea.Throughtheirgenerosity,arecord305livesweresaved.

ThesuccessofLifeShareandotherorganprocurementorganizationsaroundthecountrywouldn’tbepossiblewithoutyou.Whetheryoucalledinareferral,tookanX-ray,droveacorneatoasurgeon,volunteeredataneventorsaidyestodonation,youreffortsmadeadifferenceinthelivesofmanypeoplejustlikeKatherine.

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION BymakingafinancialcontributiontoLifeShare,youcanhelpsavelivesbyraisingawarenessoforgan,eyeandtissuedonation.Youmaycontributeinthefollowingways:

• Inlieuofflowers,designateLifeSharetoreceivememorialcontributions

• Inhonorofatransplantrecipient,donororotherlovedone

• InsupportofhelpingLifeSharecontinuesavinglivesthroughdonationandtransplantation

EveryonewhomakesacontributiontoLifeSharereceivesathankyouletter.Ifacontributionismadeinhonorofsomeoneelse,thepersonnamedorthedonor’sfamilyisnotified.

Allcontributionsaretax-deductibleandareusedforpubliceducationpurposes.PleasemakeyourcheckpayabletoLifeShareOfTheCarolinasandmailitto5000-DAirportCenterParkway,Charlotte,NC28208.

GO PAPERLESS WITH LIFESHARE LINK

AswecontinuetokeepyoulinkedtoLifeShare,wehopeyou’llconsiderhelpingussavepaper.Ifyouwouldliketoget

LifeShare Linkinyourinboxinstead ofyourmailbox,goto

LifeShareCarolinas.org/subscribe. Tounsubscribefromtheprintversion,emailusatLifeShare@LifeShareCarolinas.org.

as of April 2018

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We’ve all had dark days. Those times when you need someone to lift you

up and help you face whatever is bringing you down. When our lives are

covered with clouds, those people – the rainbows – help us find the light

in the darkness.

Afterastorm,rainbowsoftenappear, providingoptimismandmotivatingus

toendurethedarktimes.Itisthathopeandpositivitythatinspiredthe2018DonateLifeMonththeme,whichusestheMayaAngelouquote,“Bearainbowinsomeoneelse’scloud.”

Muchlikearainbowafterastorm,organ,eyeandtissuedonationprovidesabridgeofcomfortandhopebetweenonefamily’smourningandanother’shealing-turningtragedyintorenewedlife.Asyouseeintheartwork,thevibrantrainbowrisesfromstormyclouds,recognizingthatittakesbothrainandlighttocreatethegiftofarainbow.

Thismessageappliestoeveryone–we’ve

allhadthoseimportantpeoplewhocarried usthroughthetoughtimes.Andweallhavetheopportunitytopayitforwardandbesomeoneelse’srainbow–byregisteringasanorgan,eyeandtissuedonor.

ThisApril,aswecelebrateNationalDonateLifeMonth,weencourageyoutotakeamomentandreflectontheheroicdonorswhosegiftsofdonationprovidedarainbowtosomeonefacingadarkanddifficultjourneyaswellasthosewhoreceivedthegiftsoflifeandhealth.Wehopeyou’llsharethisimportantmessageandhelpothersseethattheytoocanbesomeone’srainbowbyregisteringasanorgan,eyeandtissuedonoratLifeShareCarolinas.org.

EveryoneontheLifeShareteam-theyprovid

emewithsupport,knowledge,

perspectiveandlaughtereveryday. – Sarah S.

Definitelymypuppy,Bea!I’mbiasedbutshe’s

thesweetestdogever.

– Sarah A.

MyteammatesEricka,CarolineandKC–they

makemelaughuncontrollably.

– Jesse R.

Mydaughter,Aria.Whenlifeisgivingmeone

ofthosedays,allIneedtodoislookata

pictureorwatchavideoofherandI’mremind

edofhowblessedIam.

– Kate M.

Who is Your Rainbow on a Cloudy Day?

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

LifeShareCarolinas

Show your Donate Life pride on social media using

#Donate LifeMonth

@LifeShareNC

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LEADERSHIP CHANGESLIFESHARE

ANNOUNCES

TUCKER KNOX Named Tissue and Perfusion Services Manager Tucker Knox, who has been with LifeShare for six years, stepped up to lead the team when the previous manager, Joe Kreeb, resigned in January 2017 after 15 years with the organization. Tucker was named interim manager in June and was officially promoted in August. Prior to this role, he was a preservation/tissue recovery tech. Tucker’s team is trained to preserve organs for transplantation as well as recover tissue and corneas from our donors. Under his leadership, LifeShare has seen a 4.7% increase in tissue donation cases. Tucker hopes to train his team on new types of tissue recovery to keep LifeShare at the forefront of the donation and transplantation industry. Certified in both organ and tissue banking, Tucker sees himself as an advocate for tissue donation and hopes to be able to change the common perception that one type of donation is more important than the other.

DR. GERALD ROSEN Named Eye Bank Medical DirectorDr. Gerald Rosen currently practices at Horizon Eye Care with a focus on corneal surgeries and transplants, cataract surgeries, laser vision correction and medical management of corneal diseases. An expert in his field, Dr. Rosen was the first surgeon in the Charlotte area to perform DMEK partial-thickness corneal transplants. He has also participated in national clinical trials of corneal transplant surgery. Dr. Rosen is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the Cornea Society. Dr. Rosen will fill the role left vacant by Dr. David Ugland, who stepped down after 24 years of dedicated service. “We are excited to have Dr. Rosen join the team and help move LifeShare into the future by continuing to build upon the strong leadership foundation initiated by Dr. Ugland,” says Director/Chief Operating Officer Sarah Seiler. During his tenure as medical director, Dr. Ugland enhanced LifeShare’s ability to provide the most optimal transplantable tissue available by ensuring that quality standards and best practices were followed throughout the selection, recovery and tissue processing. He provided classroom and hands-on training to clinical staff. In addition to leading LifeShare through many EBAA site inspections, he was selflessly available to staff and leadership whenever questions arose. Dr. Ugland will continue his successful practice at Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Associates.

KATE MCCULLOUGH Named Community Relations ManagerKate McCullough, who previously worked for LifeShare’s parent company, Atrium Health, joins LifeShare to implement the organization’s public relations, marketing and outreach initiatives throughout the communities in our service area.Before relocating to the Charlotte area, Kate spent five years at Nevada Donor Network, serving as Public Relations Coordinator for a year before taking on the role of Community Services Supervisor. During her time in Las Vegas, she led the organization’s rebranding, which included a new logo and website. She also developed and launched a statewide DMV education program and led the strategic planning and implementation of the organization’s public relations and community outreach initiatives.Kate is excited to step into the role and build on the work done over the past several years. “Debbie Gibbs has a long and successful legacy in our communities and our industry. I look forward to following in her footsteps and continuing to contribute to LifeShare’s mission of improving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.”

KATE MCCULLOUGHCommunity Relations Manager

DR. GERALD ROSENEye Bank Medical Director

TUCKER KNOX Tissue and Perfusion Services Manager

“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.” - Pauline R. Kezer

As time moves on, so do people. Whether it’s a retirement, a new opportunity or just a chance to slow down a bit, we often have to say goodbye to people who helped grow and strengthen our roots. As we bid them farewell, we embrace the spirit of change and welcome the newest members of our leadership team.

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by Hospital

October -December 2017

DONOR STATISTICS

Hospital Organ Tissue EyeAngel Medical Center 0 1 0Asheville Specialty Hospital 0 0 0Blue Ridge Healthcare Hospitals 0 0 0Broughton Hospital 0 0 0CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital 0 0 0Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital at Kings Mountain 0 0 0Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital at Pineville 0 0 0Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital at University 0 0 0Carolinas Medical Center 13 22 25Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy 0 1 0Carolinas Rehabilitation-Charlotte 0 0 1Carolinas Rehabilitation-Mount Holly 0 0 0Carolinas Rehabilitation-NorthEast 0 1 1CaroMont Regional Medical Center 0 11 16CaroMont Regional Medical Center - Mount Holly 0 0 0Cherokee Indian Hospital 0 0 0Carolinas HealthCare System Anson 0 0 1Carolinas HealthCare System Behavioral Health - Randolph 0 0 0Carolinas HealthCare System Cleveland 1 1 1Carolinas HealthCare System Harrisburg 0 0 0Carolinas HealthCare System Kannapolis 0 0 0Carolinas HealthCare System Kings Mountain 0 0 0Carolinas HealthCare System Lincoln 0 3 3Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast 0 4 4Carolinas HealthCare System Pineville 1 6 5

LifeShare would like to gratefully acknowledge the commitment of all doctors, nurses and other healthcare

teams who help further our mission of improving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. Without their

dedication and the generosity of donor family members, donation would not be possible.

Hospital Organ Tissue Eye Carolinas HealthCare System SouthPark 0 0 0Carolinas HealthCare System Stanly 0 3 4Carolinas HealthCare System Steele Creek 0 0 0Carolinas HealthCare System Union 0 5 3Carolinas HealthCare System University 0 0 0Carolinas HealthCare System Waxhaw 0 0 0Harris Regional Hospital 0 1 1Haywood Regional Medical Center 0 1 1Highlands-Cashiers Hospital 0 1 0Lake Norman Regional Medical Center 0 0 0Mission Hospital 2 4 5Murphy Medical Center 0 0 0Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center 0 3 3Novant Health Matthews Medical Center 0 2 5Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center 1 2 4Pardee Hospital 0 2 0Park Ridge Health 0 2 3Rutherford Regional Health System 0 2 2St. Lukes Hospital 0 0 1Strategic Behavioral Center - Charlotte 0 0 0Swain Community Hospital 0 0 1Transylvania Regional Hospital 0 1 1VA Medical Center 0 0 0Grand total 18 79 91

LifeShareispleasedtoofferdonorfamilymembersaspecialwaytoremembertheirlovedones-throughourQuiltsofLife,whicharedisplayedinourofficeandatspecialeventsthroughouttheyear.Personalizedsquaresareaddedtothequiltonceayear.Ifyouwouldliketocreateandaddasquareinmemoryofyourlovedone,visitourwebsiteatLifeShareCarolinas.orgfordimensions,areleaseformandotherdetails.Youmayalsocallusforadditionalinformationat 800-932-GIVE (4483).

*Due to hospital size and capacity differences, some hospitals will have more donation activity than others.

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5000-D Airport Center ParkwayCharlotte, NC 28208

Hi! My name is Jesse Roberts and I have been with LifeShare for five years – first as a family support specialist and now as your continuing care counselor. I have the honor and privilege of caring for our organ, tissue

and eye donors’ families after donation has taken place. My role includes grief

counseling sessions for individuals and families, follow-up communication with our donor families and various donor family events. I also facilitate communication and meetings between donor families and the recipients of their loved ones’ gifts.

You may be wondering what this young guy knows about grief, but I am no stranger to loss. As a child, I experienced the death of both of my parents. Since then I have lost numerous other family members and

friends. I tell folks frequently I didn’t choose this job –it chose me. To quote a former colleague, “It is where my head and heart collide.” Working with grieving families is a passion of mine and while I may not be walking in your shoes, I can certainly relate to the pain that loss brings into our lives.

I look forward to expanding my work through LifeShare Link - bringing you tips about healthy coping, strategies for dealing with loss and maybe even an occasional funny. As LifeShare’s Continuing Care program grows, you will learn about that here in Counselor’s Corner.

If you are a donor family in need of additional support or counseling, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 704.512.3050. I am here for you.

Counselor’s Corner