Hartville Flea Market Sale June 16th and 18th

Please contact Ray or Susan Golden at 330-699-0862 if you have any items to donate. This is our prime fundraiser for the year, and we appreciate any items you could donate to help us.

You are welcome to join the Goldens for this event. The sale is during a special event when Dick Goddard will be there. Ray, Susan and their volunteers work very hard to make each sale a success. We know this is also a good way to let people know Akron-Canton TRIO exists and the need for organ donation.

Please let your friends and family know of the event.

Special thanks to Bruce Blanke, Hartville Marketplace for generously donating space and allowing us to attend each year.

NOTE: If you have already donated items, we thank you very much for your support.

Upcoming Events

Please mark your calendar for these great upcoming events with your fellow TRIO members! We have so much fun at all of these events, and everyone within our group is great and so welcoming. Please, come join us!

Transplant Games of America: July 28-31, 2012

Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan

For more information, please visit Transplant Games of America or contact Eric Engelbarts at the West Michigan Sports Commission at eengelbarts@westmisports.com

Annual Celebration of Life Picnic

Sunday, August 12, 2012 12:00 - 4:00pm

John Torok Community Center 4224 Massillon Road, Green, OH

We have reserved the air-conditioned building and the pavilion. They have added a Veteran’s Memorial with flags, an eternal flame and engraved bricks by the walking path. There is also a playground for children. Sugardale supplies us with free hot dogs and Schwebel’s with the buns. Ray Golden did an excellent job grilling hot dogs and hamburgers last year... finishing in the rain! We compile a list of foods each member selects to bring. Please plan to come, enjoy good food and good company.

Lifebanc Celebration of Life Walk & Run, August 11, 2012, Blossom (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) Details coming soon ... Join Team Race for Amanda and walk or run to raise awareness for organ donation and to promote LifeBanc's critical endeavors. More information to follow.

Celebration of Life Party, December 18, 2012

North Canton Medical Foundation (normal location of meetings), Building A - Auditorium 6:30 - 9:00pm

Please mark this on your calendar and plan to attend. We are required to have a minimum of 50 in order to reserve the auditorium for 2013. Set-up time will be at 5:00pm for volunteers help to get ready for our 6:30 dinner. Dianna Phillips of Lifebanc has agreed to be our first speaker at 7:00pm. More details later.

Newsletter changes

Note from TRIO Akron-Canton's co-president, Walt Hinkel:

In order to simplify Mary Fread's life, Nancy and I volunteered to assume responsibility for the newsletter. We would like to thank Mary for all of her efforts over the years and hope that we can maintain her high standards.

If you ever have any items for an upcoming newsletter, please send them to Walt at wwh99 (at) aol (dot) com

Thank you.

Amanda's "Give the Gift of Life"

Our very own Amanda Goodwin (Webmaster and Social Media Coordiantor) wrote a Letter to the Editor that was published in the Akron Beacon Journal during Donate Life month.
It was entitled, "Give the Gift of Life."

As April is Donate Life month, I would like to thank the family that provided me with the greatest gift of all, the gift of life. Nineteen months ago, at age 23, I was given a new liver by an organ donor. Because of this generous gift, I have been able to return to nursing school, volunteer for Lifebanc (our area’s organ donation and procurement agency) and travel to Ireland to study health care.

I have truly learned the value of each day and have a new outlook on life. I am filled with joy and gratitude.
There is a critical organ shortage in Northeast Ohio and across the United States. My hope is that more people will join the Ohio Donor Registry at www.lifebanc.org or call 216-752-5433, 1-888-558-5433. Organ donation is the one unselfish gift that can save eight lives. My family is very grateful for the donor who saved mine, and I can now live a full, healthy life because of that single gift.
Amanda Goodwin

Check out Amanda's blog for newly updated Financial Resource and Support Resource pages that will be of help to transplant patients and their caregivers.

Flea Market: June 16 & 18, 2012

We have a date for the Hartville Flea Market Sale. It will be June 16 & 18, 2012. Dick Goddard will be there during those days, and he will attract a larger crowd. We still need items in great quality condition. Please no clothing, shoes, or boots. Call Susan or Ray Golden at 330.699.0862 to donate. We really appreciate it! Thanks everyone.

Upcoming Events

Please mark your calendar for these great upcoming events with your fellow TRIO members! We have so much fun at all of these events, and everyone within our group is great and so welcoming. Please, come join us!

Organ Donor Sabbath: Friday, April 20th at 7:30pm

Temple Israel: 133 Merriman Road Akron, Ohio 44303 Phone: 330-762-8617 Rabbi Robert Feinberg. Sponsored by the Bernard Wise Family to honor organ donors and recipients and is in memory of Bernie Wise.

After services they have what is called an “Oneg Shabbat”. Refreshments are served at that time. This gives people a chance to talk one on one and become more informed on transplantation and the need for donors. We hope many more TRIO members, families and friends will attend this third annual Organ Donor Sabbath. Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend this important event.

Hartville Flea Market Sale: June (date TBA)

Ray Golden always picks the dates in June when a Celebrity will be present. Please notify friends and family to keep in mind useful things to donate to the sale. Please no clothing, shoes or boots. Only items in near-new or quality condition can be accepted. Contact Ray or Susan Golden at 330-699-0862 if you have any questions. The sale can only be a success if enough items are donated.

Transplant Games of America: July 28-31, 2012

Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan

For more information, please visit Transplant Games of America or contact Eric Engelbarts at the West Michigan Sports Commission at eengelbarts@westmisports.com

Annual Celebration of Life Picnic

Sunday, August 12, 2012 12:00 - 4:00pm

John Torok Community Center 4224 Massillon Road, Green, OH

We have reserved the air-conditioned building and the pavilion. They have added a Veteran’s Memorial with flags, an eternal flame and engraved bricks by the walking path. There is also a playground for children. Sugardale supplies us with free hot dogs and Schwebel’s with the buns. Ray Golden did an excellent job grilling hot dogs and hamburgers last year... finishing in the rain! We compile a list of foods each member selects to bring. Please plan to come, enjoy good food and good company.

Lifebanc Celebration of Life Walk & Run, August 2012, Blossom (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) Details TBA ... Join Team Race for Amanda and walk or run to raise awareness for organ donation and to promote LifeBanc's critical endeavors. More information to follow.

TRIO 25TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR CELEBRATION September 28th/29th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Please set aside those dates and join with TRIO members from around the country. See the TRIO web site at TRIO Web and Lifelines mailings for the current conference details. I received beautiful green and gold 25th Anniversary stickers that I will have available for you at the February 21st meeting. If you cannot attend our meeting, please let me know how many you would like and I will send them to you.

Celebration of Life Party, December 18, 2012

North Canton Medical Foundation (normal location of meetings), Building A - Auditorium 6:30 - 9:00pm

Please mark this on your calendar and plan to attend. We are required to have a minimum of 50 in order to reserve the auditorium for 2013. Set-up time will be at 5:00pm for volunteers help to get ready for our 6:30 dinner. Dianna Phillips of Lifebanc has agreed to be our first speaker at 7:00pm. More details later.

2012 Third Annual Donor Sabbath

Micki Wise is inviting all TRIO members and friends to attend the third annual Organ Donor Sabbath on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 7:30pm at Temple Israel on 133 Merriman Road in Akron (44303).

The service will be conducted by Rabbi Robert Feinberg and will be followed by an Oneg Shabbat and refreshments.

We are hoping for many TRIO members and friends to come. It was a great success last year, and we are hoping for an even greater success this year.

Please sit in the middle of the room so others can have the opportunity to talk to you on a one on one basis and become much more informed on organ donors, recipients, and the transplant experience.

This event is sponsored by the Bernard Wise Family to honor organ donors and recipients and is in memory of Bernie Wise.

According to the US Departement of Health and Human Services, the Donor Sabbath is this:

Donation and transplant professionals join faith communities to focus on the lifesaving and enhancing gifts passed to others through organ, tissue and blood stem cell donation. Faith leaders, donor families, and transplant recipients participate in services and programs to increase awareness of donation and transplantation. Those who donate heal and strengthen not just their recipients, but families, friends, and the larger community.

Many people turn to their faith leaders for help when dealing with life and death issues. Nearly every religion in the United States officially supports organ and tissue donation or supports the individual choices of its members. Donation is viewed by most religions as an act of compassion and generosity, and National Donor Sabbath is celebrated in many houses of worship, often with a transplant recipient sharing a personal story of receiving “a second chance at life.”

Awareness of donation increases each year, but so does the need for donors. More than 105,000 people were on the organ transplant waiting list as of January 2010 despite the fact that more than 14,000 donors made almost 28,000 transplants possible in 2008. Each year, thousands of Americans need corneal or other tissue transplants, and an average of 3,000 individuals at any given time are searching for an unrelated blood stem cell donor. Those who donate organs, tissue, and blood stem cells restore hope and share gifts beyond measure. Transplantation can save lives. If generous individuals and families say yes to donation and register as donors, miracles can happen.