The 5th Quarter

We are excited to tell you about an upcoming movie on the GMC Network, which features an incredible story about organ donation. Be sure to tune in or set your DVRs for the amazing story.

The 5th Quarter, starring Aidan Quinn, Andie MacDowell and Ryan Merriman premiers on Sunday, November 14 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. EST. It tells the touching and tragic true story of the Abbate family, as their lives are drastically changed when their son, Luke, a 15-year-old talented linebacker is killed in a reckless driving accident. Devastated, the close-knit family strives to rebuild their lives without him, including making the difficult decision to fulfill his wish to help others by donating his organs to save the lives of five people.

Great Start for NFT Patient and Her Volunteers

When Ruth Culler Frenden's volunteers said they wanted to hit the ground running, they really meant it! They held their first event--a successful garage sale that raised $650--on October 1, and since then they've held two more garage sales, a bunco party and sold 50 NFT cookbooks!

This group is off to a great start, and we're thrilled they're doing so well.

100 Million Registered Organ Donors

Today, we celebrate a great achievement--100 million people are now registered as organ, eye and tissue donors in state donor registries in the United States. The NFT staff is thankful for these generous donors, and you can be one, too.

As we celebrate this milestone, we remember that throughout the nation, more than 112,000 men, women and children await lifesaving or life-enhancing transplants. The only solution is for more people to register as donors in their state donor registries. Each registered donor provides hope to those in need and has the potential of saving or enhancing more than 50 lives.

To register as an organ, eye and tissue donor or to get more information, visit www.donatelife.net.

Successful Garage Sale for NFT Patient

We are so excited for Truitt Taber's fundraising campaign! His dedicated volunteers planned a successful garage sale that raised more than $2,600 in his honor! Although it was a lot of hard work, everyone says it was well worth the effort.

The group collected home decor, books, antiques, furniture, and even sold raffle tickets for an Arkansas Razorbacks quilt and a gift card to Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Next up for the group is a chili supper next month and brainstorming sessions for a spring fling country music fest! Truitt's family, friends and volunteers are doing a great job of planning events early so there's time to make each fundraiser as successful as possible.

Keep Voting for the Redbirds and NFT!

As you may recall, NFT partnered with the Memphis Redbirds for Organ Donor Night at AutoZone Park in August. The team wore organ-themed jerseys, and NFT staff members were on hand to register organ donors.

Now, you have the chance to help Organ Donor Night win the MiLB award for Best Promo of the Year! You helped us win the race for Best Theme Night of the Year, which landed us as a finalist for the overall award, but we still need your help!

Click here to vote! 

Voting ends Thursday, October 20, and you can vote up to 25 times per computer. Please vote to help raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. Spread the word!

Clothing Line for Chemotherapy and Dialysis Patients

We love finding new things that could be useful for our patients! Libre Clothing offers a variety of clothing options with access to the chest, arms and legs for chemotherapy or dialysis treatments. 

The company began after its founders saw how difficult it could be for their family members to find something to wear during routine dialysis and chemo treatments. Patients are often cold during treatments because their legs or arms are exposed for possible hours at a time. 

A portion of sales is donated to charities who aid the kidney and cancer communities.

Below are some testimonials from Libre Clothing customers:

"I wanted to let you know that I really enjoy my two sweaters I bought for dialysis. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I make sure I don't leave home without one of them! I even have other dialysis patients ask me if I made it myself or where I got it.” - Julia H., Patient, Michigan

“Love your company! This clothing idea is great. In addition to keeping the patients warm this provides safety. Dialysis patients should keep their access in view so caregivers can observe for bleeding or needle dislodgement. This will be a win for all.” - Dottie, RN, Dialysis

"I recently purchased a Stephen shirt for my father. I like that you carry products for specific need, it shows you care and think about the difficulties patients and their families go through. The clothing has really helped my dad stay warm and be more comfortable.  I have had many people take interest since they've seen his.” – Cindy L., Daughter of Dialysis Patient, Hilliard, PA

For more information visit www.LibreClothing.com.

October Patient of the Month: Ralph Guy

In 2003, Ralph was diagnosed with chronic lymphoma leukemia. He began treatment in 2007, and his cancer was in remission by the following year. Sadly, the disease returned last year, and doctors say a stem cell transplant is critical to his survival. Ralph's family knows the devastating effects of cancer all too well, as two of his siblings are also afflicted by forms of leukemia. Some of Ralph's siblings are currently being tested to see if they could be a donor match for his lifesaving transplant.

His three adult daughters and young granddaughter can't help but worry about his health, and he looks forward to returning to his old self so he can spend many more years with his family. This Vietnam veteran loves to cook, travel and fish when his health allows, and he is proud to have worked for the U.S. Federal Government for more than 40 years. He is determined to overcome this health battle and enjoy his retirement years. But he needs your help.

To learn more about Ralph or to make a donation to NFT in his honor, please visit his web bio on the NFT site.

September Transplant Birthdays

Happy new birthday to our patients who received lifesaving transplants last month! We're so excited and wish them all a speedy recovery.

• Carol Bordeaux (kidney) at Duke University Medical Center
• Cindy Flynn (islet cell) at University of Minnesota Medical Center
• Sherlean Hatchett (stem cell) at Froedtert Hospital
• Larry Joiner (liver) at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute
• Frank Maldonado (kidney) at Loma Linda University Medical Center
• Gloria Sasser (liver) Tampa General Hospital
• Butch Webb (liver) University of North Carolina Hospital
• Marika Woltil (kidney) Loma Linda University Medical Center
• Natalie Zamora (lung) at Duke University Medical Center

Top 5 Most Important Kidney Health Numbers

From the National Kidney Foundation's website:

If you've gone for your annual physical recently, you're staring at a report that may as well have been written in a foreign language. Which numbers are especially important in predicting kidney health—and what's in the normal range?

1. Estimated GFR number --Measures kidney function, over 60 is normal, under 60, talk to your doctor. GFR, or glomerular filtration rate, tells you how well your kidneys are doing their job of filtering the blood. 
2. Blood Pressure Reading --High blood pressure leads to kidney disease. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. If the upper number is over 140 and the lower number is above 90, your blood pressure is too high.
   
3. Albumin to Creatinine Ratio --Estimates the amount of protein found in your urine in a day. Protein in the urine is one of the earliest signs of kidney disease. Less than 30 is normal, over 30, talk to your doctor.
   
4. Total Cholesterol --Over 200, you may be at risk for heart disease.
   
5. Blood Glucose Check --Checks for diabetes, the leading cause of kidney failure. While fasting: over 125 and after eating: over 200 indicates diabetes.