Organ Donation

HAGERSTOWN -- Families and Washington County Hospital staff gathered Friday to reaffirm their commitment to organ donation. A few spoke in the lobby at Washington County Hospital. Then, the group went outside to raise a "Donate Life" flag. April is National Donate Life Month. Christie Wilson of Hagerstown recalled that when her brother, Shawn Baker, died in 2006 at age 35, seven of his organs were given to people who needed them. She said her brother was a giving person.

My son has cadaver valves. Not like a collection of them in an egg carton or in his dresser drawer. He has them in his heart. Those, along with some bovine or "cow" tissues, and a synthetic conduit. Tyler's got it all going on. A man of many tissues, I call him. He was born with a condition called transposition of the great vessels, as well as some other significant cardiac anomalies. He's had major reconstructive surgery and a number of procedures and he is a strong, fit 18-year-old guy. He is a certified lifeguard and can swing an ax to chop wood, kayak choppy waters and carry a heavy load 'til the cows come home (pardon the bovine reference)

HAGERSTOWN - Many are aware that N. Linn Hendershot left a rich legacy for anyone coping with a disability, but few know it was truly a living legacy. Seven organs were harvested from the community activist and former Hagerstown City Council member after his May 1 death. The organ donations were made possible with the help of a new piece of lifesaving equipment - the EZ-IO - demonstrated to Hendershot on April 29, the day he fell ill. "Later that very day, we used it for the first time, on Linn," Community Rescue Service Assistant Chief Dave Hays said.

 Western Maryland Kidney Walk will begin at noon Sunday, May 15, at Greenbrier State Park, 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro.  In addition to the walk, the event will feature activities for kids, entertainment, food. The walk will make folks aware of the impact of kidney disease, take steps to help prevent kidney disease and encourage organ donation. For more information, contact Carolyn A. Smith-Kennedy at 410-533-3075 or carolynkennedy9@aol.com .

The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year's Day will feature a float that will carry a floragraph - a tribute made with flowers and leaves about 14 inches in diameter resembling a photograph - dedicated to the memory of a Hagerstown teenager whose family donated his organs after he was killed in a car crash earlier this year. Quinn Hoover, 17, died on March 18 after an early-morning accident near Clear Spring. A student at Washington County Technical High School, he was known for his outgoing personality and his prowess on the soccer field, his parents said.

They received “the nightmare call of all parents,” Charles Hutchinson said. He and his wife, Cindy Hutchinson, received news at their Boonsboro home on Thanksgiving morning three years ago that their son, C.J., then 20, a U.S. Marine stationed in Twentynine Palms, Calif., had been in a car accident. Police assume he fell asleep at the wheel. The couple needed to get to the hospital there “ASAP.” After they arrived, a scan of C.J.'s brain showed no activity. Hospital staff asked if the family was interested in organ donation.

HAGERSTOWN - While the five people whose lives he touched last were not in the crowd, a memorial jam Sunday for John S. "Jason" Chalfant proved the local blues musician could still attract a crowd. Almost three years after Chalfant's death, local musicians, former bandmates, friends and family turned out for the Third Annual Chalfant Jam at New Del Mar Inn to raise awareness about organ donation. "Jason was an organ donor. He was able to save five people through organ donation," said his brother, Jimmy Chalfant.

Beth Ann Faulder, 26, of Glenside Avenue, Hagerstown, Md., died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Born July 13, 1985, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of James Richard Peck and Cynthia Marie Crawford. She was a 2003 graduate of Boonsboro High School. She graduated in 2008 from Hagerstown Community College with an Associate in Science degree in engineering and an Associate in Arts degree in math. She was employed with Sheetz in Boonsboro since 2007.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Five young women will compete for a crown, scholarships and other prizes at the Miss Berkeley County pageant at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Apollo Civic Theatre, 128 E. Martin St. Each contestant, young women from Martinsburg, Charles Town, and Glengary, W.Va., will showcase a talent during competition. The winner will receive the crown, scholarship money, flowers, gift certificates and a place in the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant later in the year, which is preliminary to the nationally televised Miss America pageant.

Don't hold your breath Hagerstown Community College presents a free public forum on asthma and allergy issues Tuesday, April 9, from 7 to 9 p.m., in Kepler Theater. Dr. Nicholas Orfan will speak on allergic reactions, the role of the immune system, how to recognize the disease, and how to reduce the impact of the disease. Participants will also discuss what triggers asthma and how to manage it, the role of the allergist, and asthma and allergy medications. Register by calling Julie House at 301-790-2800, ext. 442. Registration is also available at the door.

Clear Spring High School students have kicked off the Race for Awareness program at the school to help students cope with everyday life. Created and organized by Clear Spring High School FBLA Vice President Kayla Stoner, the Race for Awareness is a service project that will be carried out by three organizations at the school: Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America and National Honor Society. The three organizations plan to raise awareness of their respective issues and show their individual interest in helping a cause.

The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year's Day will feature a float that will carry a floragraph - a tribute made with flowers and leaves about 14 inches in diameter resembling a photograph - dedicated to the memory of a Hagerstown teenager whose family donated his organs after he was killed in a car crash earlier this year. Quinn Hoover, 17, died on March 18 after an early-morning accident near Clear Spring. A student at Washington County Technical High School, he was known for his outgoing personality and his prowess on the soccer field, his parents said.

They received “the nightmare call of all parents,” Charles Hutchinson said. He and his wife, Cindy Hutchinson, received news at their Boonsboro home on Thanksgiving morning three years ago that their son, C.J., then 20, a U.S. Marine stationed in Twentynine Palms, Calif., had been in a car accident. Police assume he fell asleep at the wheel. The couple needed to get to the hospital there “ASAP.” After they arrived, a scan of C.J.'s brain showed no activity. Hospital staff asked if the family was interested in organ donation.

The Boonsboro Fire Department, Rohrersville substation, would like to thank all those who participated in and supported the Friday night cruise-ins held at Next Dimensions over the summer. Proceeds benefited the station, and the community's support is appreciated. Organ donor symposium planned On Saturday, the Boonsboro and Sharpsburg Lions Clubs will join together for Make A Difference Day, encouraging people around the state to consider the gift of life. The program will take place at the Boonsboro American Legion and will allow local communities to learn the value of organ donation.  Organ donor designation cards will be available.   The free program starts at 9 a.m. and the public is invited.  There will be a light breakfast and drinks provided to all attendees.   Several guest speakers, including a representative from the Living Legacy Foundation, will discuss the way lives can be touched through the organ donor program.   Rachel Powell to perform with dance group in Frederick Don't miss the chance to see Boonsboro graduate Rachel Powell and the Duquesne University Tamburitzans.

Chambersburg Civil War Seminars and Tours donated $6,500 for battlefield preservation on Oct. 2, presenting $5,000 to Antietam National Battlefield and $1,500 to the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce offers the seminars with co-founder Ted Alexander. The money was raised through the auction of Civil War books and other memorabilia at a July seminar about the Battle of Antietam, as well as other fundraising efforts, according to a news release.

I guess this a great thing: Facebook will now allow users to enroll as organ donors. Organ donation is one of the easiest and most important decisions a person can make. It gives life, hope and comfort. More than 112,000 people are in waiting lists for organs, and 18 people die every day for want of a transplant. But - Facebook? What's next, awarding power of attorney through Pinterest? So the woman who is playing a happy round of Farmville can make end-of-life decisions for her broiler chickens and herself on the same screen.

My son has cadaver valves. Not like a collection of them in an egg carton or in his dresser drawer. He has them in his heart. Those, along with some bovine or "cow" tissues, and a synthetic conduit. Tyler's got it all going on. A man of many tissues, I call him. He was born with a condition called transposition of the great vessels, as well as some other significant cardiac anomalies. He's had major reconstructive surgery and a number of procedures and he is a strong, fit 18-year-old guy. He is a certified lifeguard and can swing an ax to chop wood, kayak choppy waters and carry a heavy load 'til the cows come home (pardon the bovine reference)

Beth Ann Faulder, 26, of Glenside Avenue, Hagerstown, Md., died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Born July 13, 1985, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of James Richard Peck and Cynthia Marie Crawford. She was a 2003 graduate of Boonsboro High School. She graduated in 2008 from Hagerstown Community College with an Associate in Science degree in engineering and an Associate in Arts degree in math. She was employed with Sheetz in Boonsboro since 2007.

 Western Maryland Kidney Walk will begin at noon Sunday, May 15, at Greenbrier State Park, 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro.  In addition to the walk, the event will feature activities for kids, entertainment, food. The walk will make folks aware of the impact of kidney disease, take steps to help prevent kidney disease and encourage organ donation. For more information, contact Carolyn A. Smith-Kennedy at 410-533-3075 or carolynkennedy9@aol.com .

HAGERSTOWN -- Families and Washington County Hospital staff gathered Friday to reaffirm their commitment to organ donation. A few spoke in the lobby at Washington County Hospital. Then, the group went outside to raise a "Donate Life" flag. April is National Donate Life Month. Christie Wilson of Hagerstown recalled that when her brother, Shawn Baker, died in 2006 at age 35, seven of his organs were given to people who needed them. She said her brother was a giving person.