It is that time of year again … a time when we reflect on our accomplishments; sit in gratitude for those who have made our journey possible and set goals for the upcoming year. It has been a year filled with stress due to the economic downturn but also excitement about the new schools that have been added to our endowment series.
Please click here to make a secure online contribution. Or, if you prefer to send a contribution by postal mail, you may send it to Colby Foundation Director, Katie Parker; PO Box 31917; Seattle, WA 98103.
Reflections on our accomplishments:
- We are completing our 14th year as a foundation actively involved in organ and tissue donation education.
- Three Colby Cassani Endowed Lectureship Series (CCELS) occurred in 2009 (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in both Bradenton, FL and Erie, PA; Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences) which brought organ and tissue donation education to more than 500 medical students.
- Three new schools have been awarded the CCELS and will be ready to go in 2010 and early 2011; these schools are Lincoln Memorial University DuBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Greensburg, PA.
- In June, we joined the social network Facebook and actively provide weekly education snippets for individuals joining us there.
We think you’ll agree that it has been an eventful year for the Colby Foundation. We continue to find more ways that we can get the word out about organ and tissue donation. We are constantly inspired by those we come into contact with through our endowed schools and our stories of hope. These inspiring interactions keep us committed to our mission. We hope that our vision and passion have come through to you via our newsletters and website updates.
Thanks to the generosity of individuals like you, the Colby foundation raised $5,190 in 2008, mostly through our Holiday Appeal. Thank you for your help! While this total was short of our goal, it did mean that at least one of our CCELS endowments this past year was paid entirely through your donations. In 2009, we have raised $1,325 so far and we look forward to this Holiday Appeal with the hopes that we can exceed what was raised last year with a “stretch” goal of $8,000, enough to pay for two CCELS endowments in 2010.
The need for organ and tissue donation education is greater than ever. A new name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list every eleven minutes. Many physicians still have not received the training necessary to effectively counsel their patients on the importance of organ and tissue donation. The Colby Foundation is working to ensure that future physicians enter their profession prepared to do so.
Your donation this holiday season will help the Colby Foundation educate more medical students in more locations around the country. 100% of your gift will be used for our endowment funds and not for administrative costs, meaning that your dollars have a direct impact on educating future physicians about the importance of organ and tissue donation.
Thank you for the support that you provide us in so many ways. We appreciate your generosity and your commitment to organ and tissue donation education. Have a wonderful holiday season and all the best in 2010!
Please click here to make a secure online contribution. Or, if you prefer to send a contribution by postal mail, you may send it to Colby Foundation Director, Katie Parker; PO Box 31917; Seattle, WA 98103.
Sincerely,
John and Starla Cassani
Colby Foundation Founders and Trustees
