VOLUME 21 ISSUE 3 WINTER 2018

2 Honoring Blake

4 A Father’s Legacy

6 Remembering Our Donor Heroes

8 Educating Our Communities

Congrats Team NC

10 Thanksgiving Remembrance

Going Paperless

12 Counselor’s Corner

www.LifeShareCarolinas.org | 800.932.GIVE

All funds raised during the ride were donated to LifeShare Of The Carolinas and will be used for tissue and eye donation education

IN HONOR OF BLAKE.

Left page (left to right): Blake and James, Blake and his brother Noah, James and his son share a moment of comfort during the Ronald Blake Hughes Memorial Ride

Like many fathers and sons, they had a strong relationship, but it wasn’t always an easy road. When Blake was 10 years old,

James assumed full custody of the boys. He still remembers the song that played on the radio the first day they were together, “Well I just heard the news today. It seems my life is going to change. I close my eyes, begin to pray. Then tears of joy stream down my face.” That day, James stretched his arms wide open and embraced the challenges ahead. He devoted his life to his children, knowing they needed their father more than

HONORING BLAKEdad what that meant. James explained that we all have the opportunity to help others through organ, eye and tissue donation. It was a decision James had made years ago for himself and a decision Blake made that day as well.In September of 2017, James lost Blake to drugs. He was devastated. He felt alone. But that decision Blake had made years earlier – to help others – gave James some comfort. Blake’s corneas gave the gift of sight to two people and his tissues will help many more. During LifeShare’s annual Donor Remembrance Ceremony, James heard from another parent who had lost her son in a similar way. She said she felt alone. Hearing her pain, he decided to share Blake’s story. He approached the stage and when his time came, he made sure she knew

ever. It had been a hard year, so James set out to give the boys a summer they would never forget. They went to the beach, to the mountains, to Carowinds and many more places. Every stop, they laughed, took pictures and made memories. As he grew up, Blake got into sports. He played baseball and football. He also loved music and played clarinet in the band. He had a strong work ethic and liked to help people. He was loving and loyal. He went out of his way to make others happy. That loving and giving spirit is what prompted Blake to register as an organ donor. When he first got his license, he asked his

she was not alone. In that moment, in a room filled with grieving families, two parents found comfort in a familiar pain. Soon after the ceremony, James felt compelled to do something more. In a short few months, he planned the Ronald Blake Hughes Memorial Ride. Friends and family gathered in Denver, placed blue and green ribbons on their bikes, then hit the road. They rode to Tank Town Tavern and gathered for an afternoon celebrating Blake’s life; embracing each other while holding onto their memories.While the pain will never be gone, James has found a way to turn it into something positive. He shares Blake’s story with anyone he can. He doesn’t hide the truth. He wants others to know just how dangerous drugs can be, all with the hope that he may one day save another family from feeling the same devastating pain.

It was August 3, 1991; a day James Hughes will never forget. He watched in excitement and awe as his third son, Ronald Blake Hughes, was born. He felt blessed to have three healthy boys to raise and love.

Blake’s cornea donation means that my son can still see the world through the two people that he has helped. It is kind of overwhelming that I lost my child, but also overwhelming in the fact that my son was able to help two people who were blind. They say that good and bad go together…this is a perfect example. — James

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Impacted so greatly by his dad’s gift of life, Duantre

decided to do his senior project on organ donation.

As part of his research, he contacted LifeShare

Of The Carolinas and asked if he could meet the

people who worked with his family during that

time. He and his sister came to our office and met

with family support specialist Matthew Kinney

and organ recovery coordinator Tyson Bogart.

Talking with them helped Duantre understand what

happened that day and have a better understanding

of the donation process. It was a memorable

moment for him and for our team as well.

Show your Donate Life pride on social media using

#Donate Life

Duantre and his sister Aa’Brasia with Matthew and Tyson

I do what I do for my father, to make him proud,

knowing that he’s looking down on me smiling.

legacy CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

LifeShareCarolinas

@LifeShareNC

DUANTRE’S SENIOR PROJECTA FATHER’S

Duantre Lawrence Jr. is preparing for the next chapter in his life. After graduating from

Garinger High School in January, he wants to go to culinary school, get his business license,

and open a restaurant and bakery. This dream isn’t just about his own ambitions. It’s also

about following in the footsteps of the best person he’s ever known, his father. To truly

understand how important this dream is, we have to go back in time.

Duantre Lawrence Sr., also called Donny by his loved ones, was deeply engrained in the

culinary world. He was a chef and worked at several Charlotte area restaurants. He was also a

tattoo artist and barber. He was well known in the community and loved to help others. One

of the most important things in the world to Donny was his children. Whether it was going

to church together, hanging out at home and watching movies, or celebrating birthdays and

holidays together, family time was always important. Duantre says his dad was always there

for them, “The most important memories to me were the small ones. It’s the little things that

mattered the most.”

In 2011, everything changed. At just 11 years old, Duantre was forced to say goodbye to the

best father in the world. His dad suffered a brain aneurysm and didn’t survive. The entire

family was devastated. Duantre remembers feeling helpless, “Everything happened so fast.

I felt like the world was coming to an end, like it had to be a dream.” His family was asked

if they wanted to donate Donny’s organs, a difficult decision for a family grieving a tragic

and sudden loss. After many conversations with LifeShare’s family support team, Donny’s

loved ones decided that since he was such a loving, giving person, they wanted him to

live on in others.

At the time, Duantre didn’t understand what his dad’s donation meant,

but over the years, he came to realize the true impact of this gift. While

reading letters from the two men who received Donny’s heart and

lungs, he realized his dad was a true hero. “Knowing he’s living on in

other people makes me feel good.” Donny’s legacy lives on in the five

people who are here today because of his gift. It also lives on in his son,

a remarkable young man whose every move is dedicated to becoming

successful and making his dad proud. Duantre Jr. and his Dad

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Donors makeRemembering those who gave

The people listed here were donors between November 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018. Donors after this date will be included in next year’s winter newsletter.

Aaron

Adaline

Adam

Addison

Ahkir

Alan

Albert

Alec

Alicia

Allison

Allyson

Alvin

Amanda

Amy

Andrew

Angela

Angeline

Anjalie

Anna

Annie

Antonio

Arnulfo

Audrey

Barbara

Barry

Beautree

Belma

Billy

Bobby

Bradford

Brandee

Brandon

Brenda

Brennan

Brian

Bruce

Bryant

Burgess

Calvin

Cameron

Carl

Carolyn

Carrie

Casey

Cassandra

Cecelia

Cecil

Cecily

Charles

Christian

Christopher

Christy

Clarence

Clayton

Clifford

Cody

Connor

Corban

Costner

Craig

Cregg

Cristino

Cynthia

Damien

Dan

Daniel

Dannie

Darryl

David

Dean

Debbie

Deborah

Debra

Denisha

Derek

Destani

Donald

Dorothy

Douglas

Eddie

Edith

Edmund

Eduardo

Edward

Elira

Eric

Erica

Erich

Ernest

Ethan

Frances

Frank

Fredrick

Garrett

Gary

Gaynor

George

Georgia

Gerald

Gina

Glen

Gregory

Guillermo

Gwendolyn

Harry

HeavenLee

Helen

Henry

Hope

Howard

Hubert

Hunter

Isaac

Isaiah

Jack

Jackie

Jacob

Jaime

Jalisa

James

Jamie

Jane

Janice

Jeffrey

Jennifer

Jerry

Jessica

Jimmy

Jody

Joe

Joey

John

Jonathan

Jonathon

Jose

Joseph

Joshua

Joyce

Judith

Justin

Karel

Kashton

Katherine

Kathryn

Kathy

Keegan

Kegian

Kelly

Kelsey

Kelvin

Kilby

Kimberly

Kristen

Kristopher

Laquana

Lashea

Laura

Lauren

Lesley

Leslie

Linda

Lisa

Louis

Marc

Marion

Marissa

Mark

Martin

Mary

Me’chele

Melody

Michael

Michelle

Mickey

Misty

Mitchell

Monica

Morgan

Nadine

Nathan

Nathaniel

Nicholas

Nicole

Nilson

Pamela

Paris

Patricia

Patrick

Paul

Pavan

Penny

Peter

Phillip

Precious

Preston

Quindell

Rafael

Ralph

Randall

Raymond

Rebecca

Richard

Ricky

Rico

Robert

Roderick

Rodney

Roger

Ronald

Ronnie

Roy

Ruth

Sally

Sam

Samiya

Samuel

Sandra

Sarah

Scottie

Selena

Seth

Shannon

Shanta

Sharelle

Sharon

Shauna

Sheila

Sherrie

Shirley

Stacy

Stephen

Steven

Stevie

Sullivan

Susan

Sylvia

Tabatha

Tatyanna

Tenna

Teresa

Terrance

Terry

Tevin

Thomas

Thurman

Timothy

Toni

Torrence

Travis

Trevor

Troy

Veronica

Victor

Vincent

Virginia

Walter

Warren

Wayne

William

Wincell

Woodrow

Xavier

Zachary

Zaria

the gifts of life and health in 2018life possible

Heart recipients Courtney

and Andrea

OUR COMMUNITIESEDUCATING

LifeShare Of The Carolinas and our supporters are

proud to participate in events around the area

that promote organ, eye and tissue donation.

Our first stop this summer was the Main Street Fort

Mill Jam. We enjoyed talking to people from both

Carolinas and sharing the importance of donation in

our neighboring state. While there, we met Andrea,

who had a heart transplant 22 years ago. It was

a great moment of inspiration for our volunteer

Courtney, who just received a new heart this year.

Left page, top to bottom:Charlotte Pride ParadeAsheville Tourists donation awareness tableCarolinas HealthCare System Pineville Donor Sabbath table

Right page, left to right:Kerry and Art win gold in pickleballJess wins bronze in 20k cycling

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Next stop was the Charlotte Pride Parade. We dressed up in our most colorful outfits and accessories and hit the streets of Uptown to share the message that organ donation doesn’t discriminate; everyone has the potential to save lives through donation.

At the end of August, we participated in the Asheville Tourists Small Business Night. Before and during the game, our team was set up along the concourse with a table full of information and goodies to promote donation. We met several people who had already signed up to save lives and helped several more sign up that night.

Many people attending the Cleveland County Fair also wanted to save lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. Our friends from the Save a Life Group worked hard to spread the message about donation throughout the 10-day event.

Some hospitals in our area hosted table events in honor of National Donor Sabbath in November. Thanks to our dedicated partners at Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast and Pineville for your commitment to raising awareness about donation.

Over the summer, 19 athletes from North Carolina headed to Salt Lake City for the

2018 Donate Life Transplant Games. The team included recipients of hearts, lungs,

kidneys, and livers as well as a living kidney donor. During the games, they were

among 540 people who joined together and earned the Guinness World Record for

the largest gathering of organ transplant recipients. We’re proud to say the team came

back to the Tarheel State with 34 medals! To learn more about Team North Carolina

and learn how you can take part in the 2020 games, visit www.nctalife.org.

CONGRATS TEAM NC

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For 20 years, LifeShare Of The Carolinas has been bringing you the latest news through our quarterly newsletter. This newsletter is an

important way for us to link you – our community – to important information about LifeShare and other donation and transplantation news. As part of our

evolution, we have made the decision to go digital.

Starting in 2019, LifeShare Link will be available electronically. You can subscribe to receive a copy directly to your inbox by visiting LifeShareCarolinas.org/Subscribe. You will also be able to read the newsletter on our website, LifeShareCarolinas.org/

Newsletter.

If you would like to continue receiving a paper copy of LifeShare Link, please call 704-512-3063 and leave a message with your first and last name, full mailing

address and a phone number to contact you should we need to follow up.

Melanie Griffith, who has been with LifeShare for 20 years,

has been promoted to the role of eye bank manager. She is filling the role previously held by David Marlowe, who retired after 28 years of service with LifeShare.

She began her career in healthcare working as a medical assistant for a pediatrician. A few years later, she started working for Dr. Martin Kreshon with Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. In that role, Melanie learned a great deal about the eye and ultimately became a certified ophthalmic assistant. In 1998, she was approached by a LifeShare teammate who suggested she might be a good fit for a PRN role as an eye recovery technician. She spent several years in the PRN role before transitioning to a full-time role with LifeShare in 2005. Melanie feels fortunate to have such a rewarding career, “I love that I have a hand in restoring someone’s precious gift of sight. It’s such a miracle and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

GOING PAPERLESS

LifeShareCarolinas.org/Subscribe

NEW EYE BANK MANAGER

MELANIE GRIFFITH

On a beautiful day in early November, LifeShare staff joined teammates from Atrium Health Lincoln for a special service in the hospital’s memory garden, honoring those who are no longer with us. Every family who loses a loved one at the hospital is offered the opportunity to dedicate a brick in his or her honor. Those bricks are dedicated during the annual Donor Sabbath Thanksgiving Service. This year, guests heard from a special guest speaker, Melanie Leitner. Her daughter, Ella Kate, received a heart transplant when she was just 10 months old. Melanie shared the struggles they had when they learned that Ella Kate had little chance to survive. She talked about the moment she got the call that a new heart was on its way and all the many moments made possible by Ella Kate’s donor hero. After the ceremony was over, there was a very special moment, when Melanie got the chance to meet Mark Noles from LifeShare, who traveled out of state to assist with the recovery and transport of Ella Kate’s precious gift back to Charlotte. For Melanie, it was the chance to say thank you to one of the many people who helped save her little girl’s life. For Mark, it was an important reminder of just how important his work is and an emotional opportunity to meet one of the many families whose lives he has touched.

Pictured below: Mark meets Ella Kate and her mom Left page: LifeShare Memory Garden

REMEMBERINGT H O S E W E L O S T

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5000-D Airport Center ParkwayCharlotte, NC 28208

The holidays – a time for friends and family. A time that is supposed to be filled with joy and laughter and togetherness. The sounds of the

season usually fill the air – but not that year. I remember it like it was

yesterday. The first Christmas without my father. Those “sounds of the season”

were muffled by the silence. His voice no longer filled the room. The bells had stopped ringing. My heart was broken and longed for one more holiday to celebrate with him, but the reality that he was no longer here was all I could see. The Christmas lights weren’t as bright and my smiles became forced. That year was different.Maybe this is your first or second holiday season without your loved one. Maybe it’s your tenth. The loss of someone we love can cause the once loud bells to stop ringing. The holidays are not always so cheerful

for those who have suffered a loss. What used to bring joy now brings a stinging pain. Maybe you celebrate with the same traditions you did when your loved one was alive. Maybe you decided to change them altogether. Either way – that is ok. It is important to find meaningful ways to incorporate our loved ones into our traditions – maybe it’s by telling stories about them, hanging a special ornament on the tree or lighting a candle in their memory. They may not be here with us physically, but we can still honor the lives they lived in our celebrations. When you feel the tears come to your eyes this holiday season, let them flow. When you reflect on a comical memory, let the laughter resound. When you remember the lives they lived, celebrate. The bells will one day ring again – perhaps with a different sound – but they will ring.

Jesse Roberts, MA, EdS, NCC, LPCA

Counselor’s Corner THE YEAR THE BELLS STOPPED RINGING