Our Blog
Our blog is place for us to share news, information and resources about LifeSource and donation and transplantation. Most of the content posted here is courtesy of a select few writers at LifeSource, whose posts reflect their views and perspective on the topic about which they are writing. Our writers are asked to abide by a code of ethics when sharing information both here and across the web.
We also welcome guest posts on our blog. Please contact Rebecca Ousley if you are interested in sharing your thoughts or experiences. We hope you’ll join the conversation!
The Latest News:
You and $2: New program to help save lives
When Minnesota driver’s license offices open today they’ll offer visitors a new way to support organ, eye and tissue donation thanks to a new progam called “You and $2.”
The “You and $2″ program allows Minnesotans to contribute $2 toward organ, eye and tissue donation education on their driver’s license or state ID card application. Money raised will support public education about donation to help Minnesotans make a positive decision about registering to be a donor. Of course, Minnesotans can still register to be a donor on their driver’s license or ID card application and help save up to 60 lives.
That’s the goal, in fact – to increase the number of people who are choosing to register as donors. The “You and $2″ program is made possible by a bi-partisan bill that passed during the 2011 legislative session and was modeled after similar successful programs in other states that have higher donor registration rates. Although 60% of Minnesota adults are already registered as donors we know we can do more, and that more people registered means more lives saved.
We’re excited to formally launch this program on Thursday with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Look for more information here and on our Donate Life MN Facebook page about the program and its potential to help save lives.
The staff at the driver’s license offices have an incredibly important job as they help register Minnesotans as organ, eye and tissue donors and their commitment runs deep. Next time you are in a driver’s license office, take a moment to thank a clerk for their role in saving lives through donation.
Read more about “You and $2″ in the Pioneer Press, Star Tribune, and MinnPost.
Youth Grief Services: support group series coming up
We received a note from Youth Grief Services in Minnesota that their next seven week series of support groups begins Tuesday, February 21st in Burnsville.
This seven-week series is designed to help children and teens, ages 4 through 18, grieve the death of a loved one. Parent/adult groups are also offered at the same time in order to provide education and support for the caregivers in the children’s lives. There is no cost to attend the groups, but pre-registration is required.
Please see this flier for more information and contact Youth Grief Services if you are interested in participating.
Volunteer Training
Join us for a general orientation to our volunteer program, including an overview of LifeSource, the donation and transplant processes, tips on telling your personal story and volunteer opportunities.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
6:00 – 8:00 pm
I Hop Restaurant (meeting room)
2402 6th Ave Aberdeen, SD 57401-6501
RSVP to Jeff Richert at jrichert@life-source.org or 651-603-7863
Volunteer Training
Join us for a general orientation to our volunteer program, including an overview of LifeSource, the donation and transplant processes, tips on telling your personal story and volunteer opportunities.
Monday, March 5, 2012
6:30 – 8:00 pm
University Lutheran Church
2122 University Ave, Grand Forks ND 58203
RSVP to Jeff Richert at jrichert@life-source.org or 651-603-7863
Volunteer Training
Join us for a general orientation to our volunteer program, including an overview of LifeSource, the donation and transplant processes, tips on telling your personal story and volunteer opportunities.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
6:30 – 8:30 pm
LifeSource
2550 University Ave. West
Suite 315 South, St Paul, MN 55114
RSVP to Jeff Richert at jrichert@life-source.org or 651-603-7863
One More Day
Today is New Year’s Day, a day so many of us view as a fresh start. Although we tend to look at this day as a special and new beginning, each day during the year is one more day to sieze the precious opportunities we have to share our life with our loved ones and remember and honor the ones we love who are no longer with us.
One More Day is also the theme of this year’s Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade, which millions of spectators from around the country will watch tomorrow. The Donate Life Float is the largest national celebration of the gifts of organ, tissue and eye donation in the country and, this year, is kicking off a national campaign to register 20 million new designated donors in 2012.
2012 Donate Life Float Rendering
This year, LifeSource is honoring Kirstin Cantler-Booke with a floragraph, or memorial portrait constructed of flowers and natural materials. Kirstin was just 11 months old when she died following a car accident on Christmas Eve 2009. Her parents, Sydney and Andrew, generously said yes to donating her tissue to help others. And help others she has – Kirstin’s gifts have helped people in at least 12 different states, ranging in age from 12 to 46.
Kirstin’s parents are unable to travel to Pasadena this year, as Sydney is expecting a baby this month. Kirstin’s grandparents, Chris and Dawn Cantler, are honored to celebrate her life by participating in the parade. Last month Chris and Dawn traveled to Pasadena to decorate Kirstin’s floragraph, which will be among 72 that adorn the float.
Chris and Dawn with Kirstin's Floragraph
Chris and Dawn are in Pasadena now and will watch Kirstin’s floragraph make it’s way down the parade route tomorrow. I hope to include pictures and thoughts from Chris and Dawn upon their return as they share, in their own words, what it was like to honor their grandaughter in this special way.
You can read more about Kirstin and her family by watching this wonderful WDAY-TV news story that aired just before Christmas or reading this Fargo Forum article published today.
Tune in tomorrow at 10:00 am CST to watch the Rose Parade on ABC, NBC and commercial-free on HGTV. The float will be entry #41, about half-way through the telecast and will be preceded and followed by marching bands. Look for Kirstin’s floragraph and remember that each day is one more day we have to honor and celebrate life.
Trunk Show at Max’s
Join us for a trunk show featuring jeweler and artist Vicente Agor at Max’s in St. Lois Park. Vicente received a double organ transplant in 2002 that inspired him to focus on his passions. During a reception on Friday evening, Vicente and other transplant recipients will be sharing their stories.
Also featured at the reception will be Duluth-based 185Chocolat, owned by heart recipient Heidi Ash. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit LifeSource to help efforts to increase support for organ and tissue donation.
Friday, December 2, 2011
6 – 9 pm
3826 Grand Way
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
952-922-8364 / info@stylebymax.com
National Tree of Life Celebration
Donor family members and transplant recipients are invited to participate in a national Tree of Life celebration at the headquarters of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). You can participate by sending UNOS an ornament in honor of your loved one to hang upon their holiday tree – the Tree of Life – on display in the UNOS lobby from December until January 9, 2012.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to participate, UNOS must receive your ornament by November 30th. Here are the details