Northeast Pennsylvania Transplant Support Group

Many of us have driven behind a car sporting a blue and white bumper sticker with a very important message. For a brief moment, many readers no doubt think twice about the message: "Don't take your organs to heaven... Heaven knows we need them here."

A very important messsage indeed. Those of us who drive have no doubt made a conscious decision to choose to be considered an organ donor or not by listing it on our driver's license. Making this decision known to our family and friends is just as important. Even young people should give some thought and discussion on the matter with those who are important to them and pass their thoughts onto their own families.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Transplant Support Group is an independent nonprofit unit committed to improving the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients and their families, as well as donor families.

Its work is accomplished through programs and information designed to produce support, education and awareness. The local program was founded by Howard Kindred Sr. and is based in the East Stroudsburg area and holds monthly dinner meetings on the fourth Tuesday.

Another part of the organization is the Hepatitis Division which holds Hepatitis C support meetings on the first floor of the Pocono Medical Center every first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. Many readers may recall the poignant stories about Dr. Dan Duprey's successful liver-transplant operation.

While John Dougan is president of the organization, Duprey is vice president. Dale Payne and Alma Brands round out the officers as treasurer and secretary, respectively. The remaining board members include, Jonathan Goldner, DO; Natale Falanga, MD; James B. Kim, DO; Kenneth Turner; George Warden; Marc Bellissimo and Carol Brown.

These individuals are all dedicated to increasing our awareness of organ donation and making the life of those on the waiting list a better one filled with hope and encouragement.

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) listed in May of this year the current number of patients awaiting transplants. Patients awaiting transplants were listed as follows: Kidney, 49,112; Liver, 17,741; Pancreas, 1,125; Pancreas islet cell, 195; Kidney-pancreas, 2,504; Intestine, 167; Heart, 3,720; Lung, 3,720. The total number of people of all ages awaiting one of these "gifts of life" is 76,617. Not listed here are those individuals in need of Cornea or Skin transplants. These would bring this number to the six figure level.

The purpose of noting this goes back to that bumper sticker. If you have not made up your mind or if you have not let your choice be known, take 10 minutes to do so today. Unfortunately, in all of the year 2000, only 22,854 transplants were conducted according to UNOS.

A true story recently appeared in the group's newsletter written by Lee Downing in which he tells of his story of "Paying It Forward."

Twelve years ago, a 22-year-old man lost his life in an automobile accident. Two months ago, a man meets his 30-year-old biological son, given up for adoption at birth, for the first time and one month later he meets the wife and daughters of that 22-year-old donor who saved his life 12 years earlier.

Downing was the recipient of a liver transplant which enabled him to continue to live and be blessed by what he calls these several "extraordinarily miraculous events." His story includes reflections on the true meaning of the movie, "Paying It Forward." He recognized the far deeper meaning of the movie and the fact that one simple gesture will set off an eternal chain of giving. He has talked to countless groups and individuals about the importance of organ donation.

For him and all his fellow transplant recipients, paying it forward is a way of ensuring that this chain of giving to others will continue beyond the span of their lives. If you would like more information about this group or any informaiton on organ donations, contact Howard Kindred at: 570-223-2833.

This story appeared on page 6, Friday, July 6, 2001 in the Eastern Poconos Community News.