Transplant recipients and donor families share the power of organ donation
HCA FL Healthcare at Home
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Nov 08, 2024
Florida - Southwest
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Throughout April, we celebrate National Donate Life Month to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those who have saved countless lives through donation. We also pause to recognize the talented professionals devoted to the transplant community who make the gift of life possible. In 2023, HCA Healthcare’s skilled transplant teams performed more than 1,200 solid organ transplants at our nine transplant centers.
Did you know? More than 100,000 people are currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving transplant, according to Donate Life America.
This number continues to grow as another person is added to the waiting list every 8 minutes. Transplants rely on the generosity of donors, and there are not enough donors to meet the need.
“It is an extreme privilege to witness HCA Healthcare’s transplant professionals work together to provide our patients with the best chance for a successful transplant and ongoing transplant care and support. They can serve transplant patients thanks to individuals who choose to donate their organs, saving the lives of loved ones – and even people they have never met,” said James Pittman, MSN, RN, assistant vice president of transplant services at HCA Healthcare. “This Donate Life Month, we strengthen our efforts to shorten the transplant waiting list by encouraging community members to register as organ, eye and tissue donors to share the gift of life with those in need.”
Types of donation
Donate Life America classifies four types of donation:
Deceased donation: Deceased organ, eye or tissue donation is the process of giving an organ (or a part of an organ), eye or tissue at the time of the donor’s death, for the purpose of transplantation to another person. At the end of your life, you can give life to others.
Living donation: Living donation offers another choice for transplant candidates, and it saves two lives: the recipient and the next one on the deceased organ waiting list. Even better, kidney and liver patients who are able to receive a living donor transplant can receive the best quality organ much sooner, often before becoming too sick or starting dialysis.
Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCA): Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCAs) involve the transplantation of multiple structures that may include skin, bone, muscles, blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. The most commonly known type of VCAs are uterus, hand and face transplants.
Pediatric Donation: Pediatric transplants differ slightly from other organ donations — as organ size is critical to a successful transplant, children often respond better to child-sized organs. There are currently 2,000 children under the age of 18 waiting for a variety of organs, and nearly 25% of them are under 5 years old.
Register to be an organ donor on Donate Life America’s website
Donate Life Month stories
Below, we introduce you to some of the people that make up HCA Healthcare’s transplant community, from transplant recipients to donor families and living donors. Read how their lives were forever changed by organ donation and transplantation.
Brothers with rare kidney disease receive life-saving organ transplants
As children, HCA Healthcare patients and brothers Anthony and Victor Moreta were active and healthy. During adulthood, they were both diagnosed with a rare type of kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which causes scarring in the filters of the kidneys. It is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure, which can only be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant.
While Victor was at work as a Tampa Police Department officer in 2015, he became dehydrated and turned pale. He was taken to the nearest emergency room, where he was diagnosed with kidney failure. He was advised to seek care from a specialist for dialysis and to explore a transplant.
Victor was placed on the transplant waiting list while he began dialysis and searched for a kidney donor. After a year, he found a perfect match when the family member of a colleague was tested. Three months later, Victor received his new kidney via living donation at HCA Florida Largo Hospital’s Transplant Center.
“When they told me that I was going to have my transplant, it was a very scary thing – I’ve never had any surgery before. Everyone was so helpful, all the way from the admin reception people to the transplant intensive care unit to the kidney clinic that I still go to. I can never thank this hospital enough for what they did for me. I’ll be eternally grateful.”
Victor Moreta, HCA Florida Largo Hospital kidney transplant patient
Almost a year after Victor’s successful transplant, his brother, Anthony, was diagnosed with kidney failure. “My brother called me and told me that I need to go to [HCA Florida] Largo [Hospital] to see the doctors and see if they could do a transplant,” Anthony recalled. He received dialysis for about a year while searching for a living donor.
“A living donor can be someone who is just in general in good health. They don’t have to be blood-related, but blood type compatible,” said Dr. James Eason, Director of Abdominal Transplant at HCA Florida Largo Hospital.
About the time Anthony started to feel discouraged about finding a donor, his wife’s colleague learned she was able to donate to him. Anthony and his donor were even able to see each other in the hospital before their surgeries.
Today, you can find the brothers back to work and spending their spare time surrounded by family. “The idea of these people literally saving my life and my brother’s life is amazing,” Anthony reflected.
Heart transplant recipient shares gratitude
HCA Healthcare patient Kathleen Hornbecker is proud to be able to get her blood pumping while attending cardiac rehabilitation at HCA Florida Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida following her heart transplant late last year. However, six months ago, none of this would have seemed possible because her heart was failing. Over the past 20 years, she has had two heart attacks, a stroke and congestive heart failure twice.
“I knew I was dying,” Kathleen told Bay News 9. “I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t even lay down to sleep. I had to sit up to sleep.”
Dr. Andrew Boyle, the medical director of advanced heart failure at HCA Florida Largo Hospital determined Kathleen would be a candidate for a heart transplant. Dr. Boyle noted that “her heart was not squeezing, but rather rocking.” After her transplant, Kathleen’s heart is pumping as strong as ever and she was referred to another hospital within the HCA Florida Healthcare network, HCA Florida Northside Hospital for cardiac rehabilitation.
“[It’s] tremendously different,” Dr. Boyle said. “So that’s why she felt as well as she did. And that’s why she’s able to do cardiac rehab and why she’s able to get back to her usual life.”
As a transplant physician, he takes his oath to organ donor families very seriously. And, he encourages everyone to have conversations with their loved ones about organ donation because it can change and save lives. Kathleen is grateful every day someone had that conversation when her need came. “Now I definitely know how blessed I am and hopefully get to see my grandchildren grow up,” she said, adding that she now plans to live to 100.
Husband proves to be a match for wife in more ways than one
Shortly after saying “I do” at the altar, John Stathas was able to prove that he was a match in more than one way for his new wife, Megan.
During Megan’s annual physical, lab work uncovered that she was living with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Her husband said after the initial fear, he wanted to know how he could help. That’s when John began testing, alongside the couple’s family and friends, to see if they could potentially be her donor. To Megan’s surprise, her husband was a match.
“She already has my heart. What’s a kidney?”
John Stathas, donated kidney to wife
In August 2020, John donated his kidney to his wife at HCA Healthcare’s Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver. Megan’s living donation transplant surgery went seamlessly and the couple was excited to shift their focus on growing a family.
In 2022, the couple welcomed a baby girl. “With John being able to give his wife the gift of life, and her then bringing new life into the world, it’s come full circle,” said Christine Opp, living kidney donor coordinator at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center.
“Being able to do the things that I always wanted to do, like being a mom. That’s amazing that we can go back to life as normal,” Megan added.
This Donate Life Month, John shares his advice for others: “If you are healthy and looking for something to contribute to the world or to someone, sign up to be a living donor. You might just save a stranger’s life, or save your parent’s life, or a sibling or your wife.”
Teen’s legacy lives on through organ donation
After suffering traumatic injuries from a falling tree in 2023, fifteen-year-old cheerleader Aleya Brooks was taken to HCA Healthcare’s TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Doctors put her on life support, but her family had to make the difficult decision to take her off life support as her condition worsened. Aleya was an organ donor.
“There was never a person that she met that she did not deeply care for,” said Jason Brooks, Aleya’s father. “She wanted to heal brain trauma, brain injuries, Alzheimer’s, etc. It’s really hard that our daughter, who was going to heal so many actually died of a traumatic brain injury. As her parents, it’s been the greatest joys of our lives, to be part of her journey.”
In a powerful gesture to show Aleya’s family that they were not alone, the care teams at the hospital hosted an honor walk for the teen, recognizing her heroism as an organ donor. Aleya’s cheerleading teammates were among the more than 500 people who lined the hospital’s halls to pay tribute to the gift of life that was being passed on.
Tristar Skyline Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Hamilton said it was an emotional evening for many reasons. Aleya’s organ donation not only provided solace to her family but also comforted those who cared for her. “It’s meaningful for our staff, for our doctors, nurses that are caring for patients who pass away and to know that some good and something meaningful came out of that tragedy,” said Dr. Hamilton.
Four of Aleya’s organs were donated to three people: A 65-year-old woman, a 36-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman. They were all given a second chance at life.
“I had my sister’s kidney for almost 35 years. So, she knows how important organ donation is,” said Aleya’s mother, Darla Brooks. “And I absolutely know that she [Aleya] would want to do anything to save more lives.”
Neighbor becomes a lifesaver
If you are driving around Idaho Falls, Idaho, and come across a car with a license plate that reads ‘GTBA,’ you will find transplant recipient Robert Parkinson behind the wheel. The four-letter acronym displayed on his car meaning, ‘Good To Be Alive,’ are the words that he lives by after getting a second chance at life.
This month, Robert participated in a Donate Life Month ceremony at HCA Healthcare’s Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center to share the importance of organ donation while also honoring the selflessness of Jeremy Rose, his neighbor and liver donor. Jeremy was involved in a tragic construction accident in Hawaii in 2010 that caused him to become brain-dead at 34 years old.
The family was initially hesitant to donate Jeremy’s organs with hopes that he would recover in the Hawaii hospital. Back in Idaho, Robert was not expected to survive the week without a liver transplant.
After understanding that Jeremy was not going to recover and learning of Robert’s dire condition, Jeremy’s family donated his liver on the condition it went to Robert, saving his life. Because of the role his family and sister Emily Bowcutt played in helping to decide to donate Jeremy’s organs, Robert felt compelled to honor Donate Life Month this year at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where Emily is a medical and surgical director.
In total, three lives were saved with the generosity of Jeremy and his family. “Not a doubt in my mind he would want this,” shared Emily. Because of her experience working in the hospital, Emily says she knew no matter what they did, she was going to lose her brother. Because of the organ donation, their family found meaning in the loss of Jeremy.
The gift of life has caused these two families to grow closer. “We were more acquaintances before, and now we’re family,” Robert said. “I just want to express appreciation for the gift of life. There’s a lot of people involved, a lot of medical people involved, there’s the donor family involved, and they’re the real heroes of these stories. I’m just grateful.”
Robert now has 24 grandchildren that he now gets to watch grow up because of the generosity of Jeremy’s family.
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Creating a Vibrant Lifestyle at The Glenview
When Rachel Ritter first walked through the doors of The Glenview, she wasnt leading concerts, organizing excursions, or planning community-wide celebrations.She was 15 years old, bussing tables in the dining room.Today, more than three decades later, Rachel has come full circle as The Glenviews new Lifestyle Director a role that perfectly combines her lifelong dedication to the community with her passion for enriching the lives of residents.Along the way, Rachel earned both a nursing degree and a degree in history, supported in part by a scholarship from The Glenview Scholarship Fund. She worked at The Glenview throughout college, held numerous leadership roles in Dining Services, and built lasting relationships with residents and team members alike.Now, she has found what she calls her true calling.After 31 years at The Glenview, Ive discovered that my greatest passion is creating a vibrant lifestyle for our residents, said Rachel. Dining Servies allowed me to create exceptional experiences around the table, but I wanted to contribute even more to daily life here. My goal is simple: every resident should wake up each morning with something exciting to look forward to.That philosophy is reflected in every square of The Glenviews bustling Activities Calendar. A Calendar Packed with PossibilityRachels vision is ambitious: create enough variety that every resident can find something that sparks joy, curiosity, connection, or purpose.Its my job to bring joy to peoples lives, said Rachel. I take that responsibility very seriously.Each month, residents enjoy an extraordinary mix of entertainment, education, wellness, social events, and excursions. Signature Events & EntertainmentTwo to three major events each month bring the community together for unforgettable experiences. From jazz ensembles and classical concerts to vocal performances and thought-provoking lectures by college professors, residents can explore topics ranging from history and philosophy to pop culture and current events. Culinary ExperiencesFood lovers eagerly await the monthly cooking demonstrations led by Executive Chef David Chidsey or Pastry Chef Ashley Yedeski. Residents learn professional techniques, enjoy generous tastings, and occasionally see favorite recipes make their way onto the dining room menu.The culinary fun continues with themed luncheons and tea parties. Recent favorites have included French and Asian-inspired lunches, farm-to-table seasonal luncheons, a Southern Tea Party, and a whimsical Mad Hatter Tea complete with imaginative desserts.Ashley has a gift for creating memorable pastries, said Rachel. Together, we love finding ways to surprise residents with something delicious and unexpected. Wellness for the Whole PersonAt The Glenview, wellness extends far beyond exercise.Working alongside Director of Health & Wellness Navigation Kari Bone, Rachel helps create programming that supports all eight Dimensions of Wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, vocational, health services, and environmental health.Recent speakers have included cardiologists, dietitians, meditation specialists, IT & fraud advocates, and other experts all lectures paired with refreshments and opportunities for discussion.Our residents are incredibly curious and engaged, said Kari Bone. Its a pleasure working with Rachel to bring in exceptional speakers on topics that matter most to the quality of life for our seniors. Lifelong learning is alive and well at The Glenview!Residents can also choose from 13 fitness classes every week, including yoga, meditation, cardio exercise, balance training, chair fitness, Tai Chi, and specialized classes led by physical therapy professionals. For independent workouts, the Fitness Center offers access to state-of-the-art equipment seven days a week. Adventure Awaits in Pelican BayWhile there is always something exciting happening on campus, Rachel also loves taking residents on the road. Recent outings have included a Rhythm & Blooms Jazz Concert at the Naples Botanical Garden, rooftop happy hour at The Perry Hotel, and visits to every new exhibition opening at the Artis Naples Museum.Rachel also coordinates transportation for residents who are season ticket holders for Naples Players productions and Artis Naples Masterworks Concerts.One of the best parts of my job is helping residents continue exploring the community they love, said Rachel. Theres always another adventure waiting in Pelican Bay. The Power of Shared InterestsSome of the communitys most beloved activity programs are resident-led. Book lovers can join either the Fiction Book Club, led by resident Lynn Nolan, or the Non-Fiction Book Club, led by resident Cynthia Bye. Creative residents can gather for the Social Crafting Bee, where simple projects are paired with cookies, lemonade, and conversation. The newest project a handmade greeting card was suggested and organized by resident Carol Levy.The Card Room is always a hub of activity at The Glenview. Card players gather regularly for bridge, Mexican Train, mahjongg, and other favorite games, while movie enthusiasts enjoy Saturday matinees complete with buttered popcorn.Rachel has a remarkable talent for turning resident ideas into reality, said Lynn Nolan, resident and Chair of the Lifestyle Committee. She listens, encourages participation, and helps create the sense of community that makes The Glenview so special. Rachel is much loved by all our residents. Giving Back TogetherSome activities focus on something even bigger than fun.Through a partnership with Meals for Hope, residents participate in quarterly philanthropy events that help organize and distribute food for local families in need.Many residents want hands-on ways to serve others, Rachel said. This program allows them to make a direct impact while working together as a community.The Glenview knitting group has found a similarly meaningful mission by connecting with the global non-profit Knitted Knockers, where they create soft knitted prostheses for women recovering from breast surgery.Its amazing to watch residents use their talents to comfort someone theyve never met, said Rachel. The project gives purpose to every stitch. A Scholarship That Came Full CircleOne activity especially close to Rachels heart is the monthly Scholarship Bingo fundraiser. All proceeds benefit The Glenview Scholarship Fund, which helps employees further their education.I was fortunate enough to receive one of those scholarships myself, said Rachel. It changed the course of my life. Every time we host Scholarship Bingo, Im reminded of how much this community invests in its people. Always Looking AheadRachel is already looking to expand the already full Activities Calendar.A new Dining Out Club is in development, giving residents opportunities to explore local restaurants together. Rachel is also working with yoga instructor Marjorie to launch a Senior Salsa class and continues partnering with the resident-led Lifestyle Committee to bring new ideas to life.The best ideas often come from residents, said Rachel. When people share their passions, we can create even more opportunities for connection and fun.Resident Judy Johansen agrees. Rachels enthusiasm is contagious, said Judy. She creates opportunities for everyone to get involved, make friends, and try something new. Theres always something exciting on the horizon here.For Executive Director Daniel Gomez, Rachels impact is impossible to miss. Rachel brings tremendous energy, creativity, and heart to everything she does, said Daniel. Her decades of experience at The Glenview, combined with the genuine relationships shes built with residents, make her truly irreplaceable. She helps create the culture of joy that defines this community.Rachel sums up her vision with characteristic enthusiasm: I want The Glenview to feel like a cruise ship that never leaves the dock, she said. There should always be great food, lively conversation, and exciting activities waiting around every corner!Judging by the packed calendar and the smiles it creates Rachel has certainly contributed to making The Glenview a destination of choice for seniors.We invite you to experience The Glenview personally. Join us for lunch, tour the community, meet the residents, and see firsthand why so many discerning individuals choose to call it home.To learn more about our community or schedule a visit, call us at (239) 977-9744 or complete our Contact Us form.
Meet Kari Bone: Helping Residents Optimize Life at The Glenview
When you move to The Glenview, youre gaining more than a beautiful apartment home. Youre gaining a trusted guide dedicated to helping you stay healthy, connected, independent, and confident as you embrace this exciting new chapter.That guide is Kari Bone, Director of Health & Wellness Navigation.My goal is simple, Kari said. I want every resident to feel supported, confident, and excited about whats ahead. Whether someone needs help finding a new physician, has questions about available services, or wants to learn new ways to stay healthy and active, Im here for them.Its a role thats part educator, part advocate, part problem-solver and one that helps residents truly optimize life at The Glenview.Wellness That Helps You Live Your Best LifeWellness at The Glenview isnt measured by the number of fitness classes on the calendar. Its about creating opportunities to live with greater purpose, energy, and peace of mind. Kari develops engaging programming that supports all eight Dimensions of Wellness physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, occupational, financial, and environmental health giving residents new ways to learn, connect, and thrive.On the first Wednesday of every month, residents gather for Health & Wellness Presents, a popular speaker series featuring physicians, therapists, dietitians, wellness experts, and other specialists discussing topics that matter most as we age.Our residents are incredibly curious, Kari said. Every month we have a wonderful turnout because people genuinely enjoy learning something new. They ask great questions, share their experiences, enjoy a healthy lunch or cooking demonstration, and spend time with friends. You leave feeling a little smarterand a little happier.Recent presentations have explored everything from heart health and nutrition to mobility, meditation, fraud prevention, and healthy aging. Interactive demonstrations and lively discussions turn every program into an opportunity to learn something practical while building meaningful friendships.Between presentations, Kari also shares practical advice through her popular Navigator Nuggets easy-to-save wellness guides included in the monthly resident newsletter. Covering topics like hydration, fall prevention, and seasonal wellness, theyre another way The Glenview helps residents make informed choices that support healthy, independent living.More Than Answers Peace of MindKari also introduces residents to the many services available to support successful aging in place, including GlenCare, The Glenviews personalized in-home support program.I never want someone to feel like theyre on their own, Kari said. Whatever question comes up, whatever challenge they face, well figure it out together. Thats what were here for.That reassurance begins long before move-in day.Kari is a results-driven leader with a humanitarian heart, said Krisandra Panting, Director of Marketing & Sales. Shes an incredible resource for prospective residents and their families because she has a solution for virtually every question or concern. She has a remarkable way of helping people feel comfortable, cared for, and confident about their decision to move to The Glenview.Helping Residents ThriveThis October, Kari will launch LifePlus, an exciting new wellness initiative built around four pillars of healthy aging: Connection, Movement, Nutrition, and Longevity. The program debuts with a week-long celebration featuring presentations given by nationally recognized physicians, wellness talks, fitness classes, interactive demonstrations, pop-up events, and the One Million Step Challenge, where residents join forces to track their steps throughout the month, turning walking and healthier habits into a shared community goal.Kari brings so much heart to everything she does, said Daniel Gomez, Executive Director. She doesnt just organize outstanding programs she builds relationships. She helps people discover new interests, make new friends, and feel confident that theyre supported every step of the way. Her guidance is one of the many things that makes life at The Glenview so special.For Kari, thats the real purpose behind every program, every conversation, and every connection.When someone chooses The Glenview, theyre choosing so much more than a place to live, she said. Theyre choosing a community that wants them to feel their best, keep learning, stay connected, and enjoy every stage of life. Seeing residents discover new friendships, new interests, and new confidence thats why I love what I do.Optimizing your life isnt about doing more. Its about living in a community where youre encouraged to be healthier, stay curious, build meaningful relationships, and embrace each day with confidence.Thats the difference youll discover at The Glenview.We invite you to experience The Glenview personally. Join us for lunch, tour the community, meet the residents, and see firsthand why so many discerning individuals choose to call it home.Schedule your private visit today by calling (239) 977-9744 or click here.
I Only Wish Id Moved Sooner: Jeanne Findlaters Glenview Story
For Jeanne Findlater, moving to The Glenview at Pelican Bay wasnt just a change of address it was a discovery. I wish Id done it years ago, she said. I simply didnt realize what this lifestyle could offer.Jeanne knows a thing or two about recognizing exceptional opportunities. In 1979, she made history as the first woman in the country to lead a television station in a Top 10 market, when ABC appointed her Vice President and General Manager of WXYZ-TV in Detroit. Today, the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame member, says one of the best decisions shes ever made was choosing The Glenview. I love having my own home and my privacy, Jeanne said. But I also love knowing that everything is taken care of. I dont worry about maintenance, repairs, or the little things anymore. Its incredibly freeing.The Freedom to Enjoy Every DayMost afternoons, Jeanne relaxes with a glass of wine, a mystery novel, and sweeping views of the Gulf before heading to dinner in The Glenviews elegant dining room. When shes ready to be social, all she has to do is open her front door. Its like living in a beautiful boutique hotel, Jeanne said. There are concerts, lectures, fitness classes, bridge, mahjongg, and wonderful people everywhere. It all comes together to create a very rich life.An Unmatched LocationFor Jeanne, The Glenviews location is equally extraordinary. Theres nothing else like it, she said. Were surrounded by the beauty of Pelican Bays protected mangroves, and I can take the complimentary tram to the beach whenever I want, enjoy lunch by the Gulf, then walk to waterside shops, the Artis Naples Performing Arts Center, or the Baker Museum. Everything is right here.A Home Thats Truly Her OwnJeanne also appreciates that residents own their homes, allowing her to create a space thats uniquely hers. I opened up my kitchen, added granite, and created a home thats perfect for entertaining, she said. It feels exactly the way I wanted it to.The Difference is the PeopleAbove all, Jeanne says its the people who make The Glenview exceptional. The staff is extraordinary, she said. Theyre caring, thoughtful, and always looking out for us. You feel supported every single day.Looking back, Jeanne has only one regret. I waited too long, she said. Life here is everything I hoped retirement could be.