![]() ![]() When Jessica’s brother eventually passed away, her parents honored his wish to be an organ donor. Little did they know how important this conversation would become in the future. It was during this conversation that her brother expressed his desire to be an organ donor. This led to a conversation about organ donation. She explained that it was a symbol of one’s decision to be an organ donor. At 16, Jessica’s brother asked their mother why there was a heart symbol on her driver’s license. The audience was moved to tears and laughter as each speaker described their challenging journey as a transplant patient, or as a parent of an organ recipient.Īfter hearing from other transplant recipient families, Jessica Waters, RN, (a Boston Children’s nurse) shared her family’s experience with organ donation. It was an incredible opportunity to hear how organ donation has directly impacted their lives. For the event, a patient or parent of a patient from each transplant program (heart, lung, liver, kidney and intestine) was invited to share their unique story. This event is for hospital staff interested in learning more about transplantation. If you have used cellphones that you would like to donate and will be visiting Boston Children’s, contact us at for more information.The culminating event for Organ Donation Awareness week was Nursing Grand Rounds held on April 11. The Pediatric Transplant Center was able to recycle more than 100 used cellphones through this program. In cooperation with Children’s Organ Transplant Association, proceeds from these recycled cellphones will go directly to support the families of children waiting for a life-saving transplant. Through our efforts, 10 people registered as organ donors, which may result in dozens of lives saved one day.In addition to providing education and increasing awareness about organ donation, workers at the booth collected used cellphones. A computer was on hand for use by anyone who wanted to immediately register as an organ donor. Throughout the day, staff from the Pediatric Transplant Center, transplant recipients and family members who staffed the booth answered questions from visitors looking to learn more about organ donation and various Boston Children’s transplant programs. The booth included free Donate Life items (pens, bumper stickers), brochures, flyers and a slide show featuring Pediatric Transplant Center patients. Donate Life Month, recognized each year in April, was created with the purpose of increasing awareness of the need for organ, eye and tissue donation, and to educate the public on how they can become an organ donor.During the week of April 8, the Pediatric Transplant Center hosted an information booth in Boston Children’s Hospital lobby to greet staff and visitors and provide information about organ donation. The highly experienced medical team evaluates patients with liver tumors in a one-day visit, eliminating the burden of scheduling multiple specialty visits over several weeks or months resulting in treatment delays that can impact a patient’s outcome.Promoting National Donate Life Month The greatest gift we ever receive is the gift of life, and transplant patients and their families are keenly aware of just how precious that gift is. TLTC is the only multidisciplinary center in South Texas to offer a single day evaluation in partnership with UT Health San Antonio and Texas Liver Institute. ![]() If a liver lesion is found and HCC is suspected, a patient can be referred to Texas Liver Tumor Center (TLTC). Routine radiological surveillance and monitoring lab values including alpha feta protein (AFP), liver enzymes, and INR for patients with NAFLD is crucial to identify developing fibrosis and new liver lesions. NASH is the accumulation of this fat in the liver with concurrent inflammation and damage to the liver cells leading to advancing fibrosis. This fat buildup, steatosis, can progress to liver fibrosis. NAFL is caused by the deposition and buildup of fat in the liver from sources other than alcohol. NAFLD can be classified as nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). ![]() NAFLD is associated with diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, hypertension and obesity referred to as metabolic syndrome. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases states NAFLD is now the third most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the US. Studies show a higher prevalence in Hispanics. Jake Sekula, Tumor Center Nurse Coordinator, conducted a research review about fatty liver disease in South Texas demographics and the prevalence of HCC:Īccording to the American Liver Foundation, 25% of the US population have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which is the leading cause of chronic liver disease. ![]()
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