Wellness Words April 2016 Posted on April 12, 2016April 12, 2016 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health EducatorSAY YES TO LIFE!Become An Organ, Eye & Tissue Donor Organ, eye and tissue donation may not be the most popular topic, but it is one that saves thousands of lives every year. There is no age limit to becoming a donor. In fact, the oldest donor was 93! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be in perfect health. Except in the case of kidney donations, your eligibility to donate organs or tissues won’t be determined until after your death. According to the Center for Organ and Tissue Donation, there are currently over 100,000 patients waiting for life-saving transplants in the U.S. Every 14 minutes, another name is added to the waiting list and an average of 18 people die every day due to a lack of transplantable organs. One donor can save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people. Today the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, small intestines and pancreas can all be transplanted in individuals whose own organs are failing. Tissues that may be donated include bone, heart valves, skin, cartilage, tendons, veins and corneas.Some examples of the uses of tissue donation include:Donated bone can prevent amputation for bone cancer patients.Tendons and cartilage can replace tissue lost or injured due to trauma, disease or infection.Veins can be used to reestablish blood circulation after bypass surgery which can prevent heart attack.Donated skin may be used to help save severe burn victims.Heart valves have the ability to “grow” in younger patients, reducing the need for repeat surgeries.Cornea recipients are often given the chance to see for the first time.Truths about becoming a donor to remember include:People of any age can become donors.Registered donors receive the same care in hospitals as non-donors. The medical staff trying to save lives is completely separate from the transplant team.Most major religions in the United States do not prohibit organ or tissue donation.Donation does not prohibit an open-casket funeral.There is absolutely no cost for donation.How do you sign up to become an organ, eye and tissue donor? It’s simple!Go online to health.ny.gov/donatelife and choose the option that is best for you.Call the New York State Donate Life Registry at 1-866-693-6667.Tell your family and be sure they are aware of your decision so they can support your wishes.YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor is one of the finest and most unselfish humanitarian actions you can take. Why not take the time now to declare your wish to give the gift of life?For more information, call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our new wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL HONORED IN 2013 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE Posted on January 8, 2013January 8, 2013 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer played a role in The Donate Life Rose Bowl Parade FloatNathan Littauer Hospital was recognized with a rose on the Donate Life Float in the 124th annual Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. Nathan Littauer partners with the Center for Donation & Transplant (CDT) to facilitate life-saving organ and tissue donation. CDT is sponsoring a rose on the Donate Life float in honor of the donors from Nathan Littauer Hospital. The rose also recognizes Littauer’s for its support of donors and their families through the Donate Life Flag Program. In 2013, a flag will be flown at the hospital following every organ and tissue donation case, which will then be given to the donors’ families in honor of their loved one.Today, over 117,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant; this statistic includes just over 10,000 New Yorkers. Over 28,000 organ transplants were performed in 2011; however, the demand is still much greater than the supply, with an average of 17 Americans dying every day due to the shortage of donor organs.New Yorkers can register to be an organ and tissue donor by joining the New York State Donate Life Registry available online atLittauer honors organ donation. When a donation is made we raise a “Donate Life Flag”www.donatelifecdt.org.The Center for Donation & Transplant is the federally designated non-profit organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation at 43 hospitals throughout western Vermont and northeastern New York State.
Wellness Words April 2011 Posted on April 6, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH April is National Donate Life Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month and there is no better gift to give than the gift of life! There have been advances in medical technology and donation. However, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donations still vastly exceeds the number of donors. There are currently more than 100,000 men, women and children that need life-saving organ transplant. It is estimated that every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list and an average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.There is a great deal of misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation. The Donate Life America organization has provided several facts that will help individuals better understand organ, eye and tissue donation:Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life and treat you. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.When an individual is on the waiting list for an organ, there are several factors that influence who receives the organ. These include severity of the illness, time spent on waiting list, blood type, and other important medical information. Financial status or celebrity status does not effect waiting time.An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process, the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.In 2006, a new law created the New York State Donate Life Registry. This registry records an individual’s own legal consent to organ, tissue and eye donation upon their death. To ensure that your decision to be a donor is honored, you must enroll in the Donate Life Registry. You can enroll online at http://www.nyhealth.gov/donatelife or through the Department of Motor Vehicles when you apply for or renew your license or non-driver ID.While organ donation is your own personal choice, it is still important to share your desires with your loved ones. This will make it much easier for them to accept and help avoid any issues that may slow down the donation process.For more information, visit the Organ & Tissue Donor Registry website listed above or call 1-866-NYDONOR (693-6667). You may also call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120, e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer raises awareness during “Donate Life” Month Posted on April 9, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeFlag raised to salute donorsLittauer honors organ donationGloversville, NY…In recognition of National Donate Life Month and the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation, Nathan Littauer Hospital will fly the Donate Life Flag during the month of April. Nathan Littauer Hospital is currently partnering with the Center for Donation & Transplant (CDT) in the Donate Life Flag Remembrance Program, which honors patients and their families that choose to give the gift of life. In addition to flying the flag during Donate Life Month, a flag is flown following every organ and tissue donation case at the hospital and given to the donor’s family in honor of their loved one.Today, over 106,000 men, women and children are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant including over 9,500 New Yorkers. Over 28,000 organ transplants were performed in 2009. However, the need is still much greater than the number of organs available for transplant, with an average of 18 Americans dying every day due to the shortage of donor organs. Many people do not realize that one organ and tissue donor can help save or enhance up to 50 lives.“The most important step in deciding to become a donor is to share your wishes with your family” stated Cheryl McGrattan, spokesperson for the hospital. New Yorkers can document their decision to be an organ and tissue donor by joining the New York State Donate Life Registry available online at www.donatelifecdt.com.Organ donation is encouraged at Littauerxxx The Center for Donation & Transplant is the federally designated non-profit organization that coordinates the retrieval of donated organs and tissues at 43 hospitals throughout western Vermont and northeastern New York State.
