Cobertura Reciente en los Medios

Coroner’s Corner: Dr. James Caruso, Denver Co. Medical Examiner

[caption id="attachment_10879" align="alignright" width="170"] Dr, James Caruso, Denver Co. Medical Examiner[/caption]

Q&A with Dr. James Caruso, Denver County Medical Examiner

When did you know you wanted to become a medical examiner?

I knew in high school that I wanted to be a physician. While in medical school I strongly considered Pathology as a specialty, but I first had to serve as a primary care physician in the Navy for 5 years before beginning my Pathology training. I completed my Pathology training at Duke University Medical Center and served as a hospital Pathologist before completing a fellowship in Forensic Pathology. I thought Forensic Pathology would be the perfect way to combine my experience in Military Medicine with Pathology. I served as a Forensic Pathologist in the military for 12 years before retiring from the Navy and taking the Chief Medical Examiner job in Denver.

Do you have a personal tie to organ and/or tissue donation?

My father was infected with Hepatitis C Virus as the result of a blood transfusion in the 1980s. He eventually developed liver failure and received a liver transplant, which gave him an additional 10 years of life and the opportunity to meet his grandchildren. Also, as a pathologist, I routinely looked at pre-transplant biopsies and clinical test results as well as explanted organs. Duke has an extremely busy organ transplant program.

Why is donation and transplantation is so important to you?

The supply of transplantable organs is unfortunately limited by the list of eligible and consenting donors. The demand far exceeds the supply and people die every day while waiting for a transplant. I watched my father’s condition deteriorate as he awaited a second liver as Hepatitis C ravaged the new liver over time. In the end, my father was too ill to survive another transplant because the limited supply of organs dictates that potential recipients move up the list very slowly. As a perform an autopsy on a young person who died of trauma I frequently reflect on how pristine the organs appear and that they would be lifesaving for someone on the transplant list.

What is the one thing you would want others to know about your work?

Despite the usual jokes or comments about how morbid it is, my work is extremely important in providing families with answers and closure, assisting law enforcement with the investigation of deaths that occurred due to criminal acts, and identifying potential safety issues or threats to the public welfare. I also provide answers to my clinical colleagues who were taking care of the decedent in a medical setting.

What are you most proud of?

I spent nearly 30 years in the military and served on ships and overseas including Iraq and the Persian Gulf. I am also very proud of the two daughters that my wife and I have raised. They have lived all over but have fallen in love with Colorado.

What do you like to do in your free time (hobbies)?

I like to travel and fish as well as work out. I am a rabid hockey fan and season ticket holder for the Avalanche.

Staff Spotlight: Keenan Heyde

[caption id="attachment_10826" align="alignright" width="208"] Keenan Heyde, Donation Consultant[/caption]

We’re so proud to work with each and every one of our staff members here at Donor Alliance. In our Staff Spotlight, we like to take a minute to let you learn more about who we are and why we work at Donor Alliance.

Name: Keenan Heyde

Position: Donation Consultant

Years at Donor Alliance: 13 years

Why you chose to work at Donor Alliance: I wanted to continue my work in donation (I worked at Bonfils Blood Center before DA) because this field is something I am very passionate about.

Why do you like working at Donor Alliance: I am honored to help fulfill our mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation every day. I am truly fortunate to work at Donor Alliance.

What does donation and transplantation mean to you: Saving lives, supporting grieving families, and helping honor the wish of all of those people who want to be donors.

Any direct connection to donation and transplantation: I was a long time platelet donor and was asked to participate in a granulocyte donation. I actually had to follow a 5 day regimen of prednisone before I could donate. I was told my recipient was a young cancer patient who needed these white blood cells. It was a powerful moment when I was told about my recipient. From that point on, I wanted to be more involved with the donation world.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working: I enjoy cycling, coaching a U14 girls soccer team, hiking, playing with my crazy dogs and exploring the Colorado craft beer scene.

Kick Off National Donate Life Month with NASCAR Driver Joey Gase at Old Chicago in Cheyenne!

Donate Life Wyoming is proud to partner with NASCAR driver, and organ, eye and tissue donation advocate, Joey Gase, to encourage Wyoming residents to Show Your Heart for National Donate Life Month this April. Joey will be at the Old Chicago at 1734 Meadowland Dr. in Cheyenne on Monday, April 3^rd from 5pm-7pm to show his appreciation for supporters of organ, eye and tissue donation. Show the hearts on your driver license for the chance to meet Joey and paint a heart on his car.

Gase was only 18 when his mother, Mary Jo, died of a brain aneurysm in 2011, and he made the decision to donate her organs and tissues. He races in her honor and is now as passionate about promoting organ, eye and tissue donation as he is about racing.

Here in Wyoming, there are nearly 200 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and hundreds more that could benefit from eye and tissue donations. You can Show Your Heart in support of organ, eye and tissue donation during National Donate Life Month. Register to be a donor at the event on April 3^rd or visit DonateLifeWyoming.org to sign-up anytime. #ShowYourHeartWY

Meet NASCAR Driver Joey Gase at the Denver Auto Show!

Donate Life Colorado is proud to partner with NASCAR driver, and organ, eye and tissue donation advocate, Joey Gase, to encourage Colorado residents to Show Your Heart for National Donate Life Month this April. Visit the Donate Life Colorado booth at the Denver Auto Show from April 5-9 to Show Your Heart for organ, eye and tissue donation by painting a heart on Joey’s car. Gase himself will be on hand on the evening of Wednesday, April 5^th to show his appreciation for registered organ, eye and tissue donors.

Gase was only 18 when his mother, Mary Jo, died of a brain aneurysm in 2011, and he made the decision to donate her organs and tissues. He races in her honor and is now as passionate about promoting organ, eye and tissue donation as he is about racing.

Here in Colorado, there are more than 2,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and thousands more that could benefit from eye and tissue donations. You can Show Your Heart in support of organ, eye and tissue donation during National Donate Life Month. Register to be a donor at the Denver Auto Show or visit DonateLifeColorado.org to sign-up anytime. #ShowYourHeartCO

Advocate Spotlight: Allison McKissen

[caption id="attachment_10782" align="alignright" width="300"] Allison McKissen - Donor Mother[/caption]

Donor Alliance volunteers and advocates are the heart and soul of our efforts to inspire and inform our community about the importance of registering as organ, eye and tissue donors in Colorado and Wyoming. Each of our volunteers and advocates has their own unique and inspiring story to tell. This month, we are featuring Allison McKissen, a Donor Mother from Grand Junction, CO.

What has been your favorite memory volunteering for Donor Alliance?

I chose to volunteer with Donor Alliance because I am a donor mom. My son, Tanner, was very passionate about organ donation and was a successful donor. I want to carry that passion forward by advocating for, and educating others, on this wonderful cause.

If you could go on an all-expenses paid vacation, where would you go and why?

If I could go on an all-expenses paid vacation, I would take my daughter on a Caribbean cruise. We have been through a lot together, and going on a cruise is her dream vacation...although I wouldn't mind it much myself!

If you could have lunch with anyone, who would you choose?

If I could have lunch with anyone it would be Abraham Lincoln.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

If I won the lottery, the first thing I would do is buy a house outright!

What is your favorite season and why?

My favorite season is spring because it is a time of new growth and renewed beauty. Spring has a beautiful energy to it!

What is the last great book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

The last book I read was "Homer's Odyssey". It was a wonderful story about a blind cat and his journey through life. I would definitely recommend it.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The best piece of advice I ever received came in the form of this quote, "Stand like mountain, flow like water." For me, this is my reminder to flex, learn, live, experience, and grow while standing up for what I believe in and always staying true to myself.

Not Moving

National Kidney Month: 98 Thousand Americans Wait for Kidney Transplants

March is National Kidney Month. There are currently more than 98 thousand Americans waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant, nearly two thousand of which are in Colorado and Wyoming. The average time a patient spends on the waiting list is 3-5 years.

Dean Bicknese, of Casper, WY, had been on the transplant waiting list for a kidney for nearly five years when his wait came to an end thanks to his step-daughter, Shea. After waking up one morning and finding that she could not stop thinking about it, Shea surprised Dean with her decision to donate one of her own kidneys to him. After undergoing all of the necessary testing to determine that Shea was a match, Dean finally got his lifesaving kidney. He is now able to enjoy spending his time fishing and camping instead of having to go to dialysis.

“Donating my kidney was not only a gift to my dad, but to myself as well,” said Shea. “I was able to experience some really beautiful moments and really wonderful people. Through this experience, I have found a new appreciation for life and all of the people in it.”

Dean was fortunate to have found a living kidney donor in Shea. However, not everyone can make the incredible commitment to become a living donor. This month, we urge Colorado and Wyoming residents to consider registering to become organ, eye and tissue donors at the time of their deaths. This is quick and easy to do by saying “yes” at the driver license office or Driver Services, or anytime at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming. Deciding to register as a deceased donor could help save the lives of patients waiting for kidney transplants.

Also, for residents interested in learning more about living donation, please contact one of the local transplant centers listed on our Living Donation resource page.

8 Truths of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation

In Colorado and Wyoming, more than 2,500 are waiting for lifesaving transplants, but many misconceptions and myths about organ, eye and tissue donation have prevented people from registering to be donors. Here are eight lesser-known truths about organ donation:

One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save or heal more than 75 through eye and tissue donation. To learn more, or to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor, visit DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.

IN THE NEWS: February’s top organ, eye and tissue donation stories from around the nation

February’s biggest organ, eye and tissue donation news and stories from around the US:

AP Exclusive: Twin tragedies give survivor a new face

After disfiguring his face over a decade ago, Andy Sandness is now adapting to a new face. Sandness underwent a complex 56-hour surgery that grafted him a new nose, bones, teeth and lips. Read more.

Valentine's Day is also National Donor Day

Andrea Smith from Donor Alliance and Kelly Lang, the mother of an organ donor, joined us on 9NEWS Mornings to talk more about National Donor Day. Read more.

Hall of Famer Rod Carew returns home after heart, kidney transplant surgery

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew returned home during the weekend, seven weeks after heart and kidney transplant surgery. Read more.

Black History Month and Raising Awareness for the Need for Minority Donors

As the achievements by black Americans and recognition of the important role of African Americans in our country’s history are celebrated during Black History month, more than 34 thousand people from the African-American community around the nation are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. In Colorado and Wyoming alone, there are nearly 250 (245) African Americans waiting for an organ transplant.

African Americans are the largest group of minorities in need of an organ transplant. In the U.S., 30 percent of those currently waiting on an organ transplant are African American, and almost 35 percent of people waiting for a kidney transplant are African American. While organs are not matched according to race or ethnicity, transplant matches made within ethnic groups can be more compatible. That is one of the reasons why it is important for people in minority communities to register their decision to be donors.

Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save or heal more than 75 through eye and tissue donation. Colorado and Wyoming residents can register as an organ, eye and tissue donor anytime at DonorAlliance.org.

Celebrate National Donor Day on February 14th

Observed annually on February 14^th, National Donor Day aims to raise awareness of the lifesaving benefits of organ, eye and tissue donation while reminding us of the importance of discussing the topic with loved ones.

Here in Colorado and Wyoming there are over 2,500 patients on the waiting list to receive a lifesaving organ transplant, and thousands more could benefit from lifesaving and healing eye and tissue donations.

Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming are encouraging individuals to set aside some time this National Donor Day to discuss organ, eye and tissue donation with their families. Sharing your decision to be a donor is one of the most important conversations you can have with your family. When you join the organ, eye and tissue registry in Colorado or Wyoming, your decision to be a donor ultimately takes priority over your family’s preferences.

Your family will be informed of your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at your time of death, and asked to provide information about your medical and social history. Making the decision for yourself in advance, and then sharing it with your family will make it easier for them during a very difficult time.

Don't wait. Start the conversation with your family now. They'll be glad you did.

You can learn more about the need for donation and how individuals can take action by visiting DonateLifeColorado.org or www.DonateLifeWyoming.org.

Donor Alliance 2016 Year in Review

Last year was another remarkable year for organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Colorado and Wyoming with 139 generous organ donors making 424 lifesaving transplants possible. Donor Alliance, the federally designated non-profit organization that facilitates organ and tissue donation in Colorado and most of Wyoming, also worked with the families of a record 1,710 tissue donors to recover lifesaving and healing tissue to provide bone and skin grafts to thousands of recipients in need.

The organization, which educates the public on organ and tissue donation and manages the state donor registries in Colorado and Wyoming, also announced that 971,982 names in Colorado and 89,111 names in Wyoming were added to the registries in 2016. The donor designation rate, or percentage of individuals joining the state donor registry, was at an all-time high this past year in Colorado with 69.32 percent of the state’s licensed drivers and ID card holders on the registry and 57.64 percent in Wyoming. The two states maintained some of the highest donor designation rates in the country.

“In reflecting on 2016, we continue to be incredibly thankful for our partnerships with the hospitals and transplant centers in our service area, as well as the Division of Motor Vehicles, whose 53 driver license offices continue to offer residents the chance to save lives through organ and tissue donation to the thousands of people they serve in both Colorado and Wyoming. Most importantly, we are grateful to the many Colorado and Wyoming residents that have made the decision to register as organ, eye and tissue donors,” said Sue Dunn, Donor Alliance president and CEO. “While we are encouraged by the strong donor designation rates that we have enjoyed in Colorado and Wyoming for a number of years, we are reminded that there are still more than 2,500 people in Colorado and Wyoming that continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. As always, we will remain dedicated to our mission to save lives through organ and tissue donation, and look forward to another impactful year in 2017.”

2016 was another landmark year for tissue donation and transplantation, including bone, skin, heart valve and joint donations. Topping 2015’s record year of 1,674, Donor Alliance worked with the families of 1,710 generous tissue donors in 2016 and recovered enough tissue to heal or save the lives of tens of thousands in need. As medical technology advances and eligibility criteria expand it has become possible to utilize more types of tissue, which has allowed more people to give the gift of life through tissue donation. Additionally, Colorado and Wyoming’s increasing number of registered donors has translated into more tissue available for transplant.

In addition to the increase in tissue donors, Donor Alliance, which educates about organ and tissue donation and manages the recovery of tissue and organs, facilitated organ recoveries from 139 donors in 2016, helping make 424 lifesaving transplants possible.

Despite the generosity of donor family members and the efforts of Donor Alliance staff and partner organizations, just over 2,500 people in the area continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. To register as an organ, eye and tissue donor, please visit DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.