Fourth Quarter 2011 e-Newsletter

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COLBY FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION IN ACTION:  RAISING AWARENESS THROUGH THE COLBY CASSANI ENDOWED LECTURESHIP SERIES

New school added to Colby Cassani Endowed Lectureship Series:  The Colby Foundation is excited to announce we have added another school to our Colby Cassani Endowed Lectureship Series (CCELS).  Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences will begin with their endowment series in the 2012 - 2013 academic year.  "The Colby Cassani Endowment will provide a targeted focus to a portion of the curriculum dedicated to organ and tissue donation and the foundation of transplantation medicine through the clinical and basic sciences but also through patient and family encounters.  It will become a part of the curriculum that stands out in student education experiences," says Linda Adkison, Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs.  We welcome this new partnership and look forward to helping to promote further organ and tissue donation education.

DIRECTORS’ NOTES  

Katie's departure:  "It is with a bit of sadness and some excitement that I announce my departure from the Colby Foundation.  It has been an amazing experience to work with this foundation and to meet the extraordinary people I have been blessed to interact with and get to know.  Through my work with John and Starla Cassani (the Trustees) and Monica Philbin (directing partner) we have accomplished a great deal over the past four years.  We have launched a new website, added a database, added six new schools to the Colby Cassani Endowed Lectureship Series and found new ways to market the mission of the foundation.  On a regular basis, we touch close to 400 people with our newsletters and currently have about 900 people following us on Facebook.  It has been a phenomenal experience!  The individuals and famiies I have met through the Stories of Hope have inspired me and reminded me of how vital this work continues to be!  The Colby Foundation will never be far from my heart; but, as certain as I am that I love this work, I also realize that it is time for someone else to take it to the next level!"

Caryl's arrival:  The Colby Foundation extends a warm welcome to our new part-time Executive Director, Caryl Larva.  Caryl started her new role on November 1st and brings a wealth of knowledge, skills, and passion to the position. She brings over 35 years experience in leading various non-profit organizations, strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, budgeting, and fiscal management.  She currently owns and operates a local special events and organizational management company and actively serves the community through various volunteer efforts.  She prides herself on creating and maintaining strong relationships with business and non-profit leaders.  Caryl and her husband, Rod, have five children and seven grandchildren.  She and her dog, Lollipop, have served as a pet therapy team for nine years at Renown (formerly Washoe Medical Center) and with many one-on-one special cases.

Katie's last and Caryl's first act will be to work together on the 2011 Colby Foundation Annual Holiday Appeal.

2011 HOLIDAY APPEAL

Just a reminder that the Annual Holiday 2011 Appeal will be starting within the next week.  As you make plans to wrap up your giving for 2011, we hope you will consider a contribution to the Colby Foundation.  With your support, we can continue to expand our reach in educating others about organ and tissue donation.  As always, we have set our goal at $8000 for our appeal, which would pay for two full endowments.  We know there are many organizations seeking your support and we thank you for your consideration.

Click here to make a contribution online now. 

Have you already joined us on Facebook?  Click the icon to "like" us on facebook!   Stay informed.  Add to the conversation.  And spread the word!

STORY OF HOPE:  INTRODUCING JUDY - NOT LOSING SIGHT OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT

Judy’s caring spirit, amazing smile and resounding laugh drew people to her.  She was always there to lend a helping hand, provide an ear to listen and to give a smile that would brighten a cloudy day.  Her career had always matched her personality.  She chose to work with children first in a childcare setting and later, after completing a Masters program, she worked in a classroom environment.  While focusing on her students’ strengths, she enjoyed actively engaging her students in the learning process.

So it was alarming when she became easily exhausted at the smallest activity.  When she went to her doctor, her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was shocking for her family.  Judy had always been so vibrant and full of life, and it was shocking to see her go downhill so fast.

The time from her diagnosis to her death was extremely difficult and fast, just giving her family a few weeks to process what was happening.  Judy’s niece Sharon, said, “I didn’t ask or bring up organ donation even though I am a huge proponent.  Between dealing with her diagnosis, the fast progression (from diagnosis to death) and family members who were in varying different stages of the grief process - I just did not know how to approach the topic.  I also wasn’t sure she could be a donor with her diagnosis of cancer.”  Luckily Sharon did not have bring the question up, because Judy had already taken care of it.  “I was shocked and thrilled at the same time to find out that Judy not only signed the donor form upon admittance to the hospital, but also that they could actually fulfill her wishes and give the gift of sight to another” says Sharon.  She could safely donate her corneas.

Knowing that Judy had become a donor gave her family a bit of relief from the pain of losing her.  After Judy’s death they were able to use Judy’s corneas to give the gift of sight to another.  “I know her husband Aaron finds solace in the fact Judy was able to help another,” says Sharon, “ and I know it helps Judy’s mom Irene know that her final gift gave hope to someone else.  Compassion was at the core of Judy’s being, so it seems right that it would also be her final act.”

We thank Judy’s family for sharing her story of hope.  As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, we honor Judy and all those who have given this most precious gift to others.  You are our heroes and we stand in gratitude.

Click here for more Stories of Hope

A REMINDER ABOUT GOOD SEARCH:  ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE.  SEARCHING THE NET SUPPORTS THE COLBY FOUNDATION...IT REALLY DOES!

We know that not everyone can send in a contribution but here is another way to contribute!  To those of you who have already begun using GoodSearch as your search engine...we THANK YOU for your support!  For those who have not yet made the switch, we hope you will consider it because the Colby Foundation earns a penny every time you use GoodSearch to search the internet.

How does that work?  GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations to the Colby Foundation add up!

To learn more, just use the GoodSearch icon (top right of this page) or go to www.goodsearch.com and please spread the word.  We appreciate it! 

THE COLBY FOUNDATION WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.  HOW HAS YOUR LIFE BEEN TOUCHED BY ORGAN DONATION?  PLEASE CONTACT US!