Katherine Barker

1
Katherine Barker

• Daughter, wife, mother, previous cancer
  patient, teacher, waiting transplant candidate
  for a liver, and more..

2
Breast cancer

• Chemo drugs cytoxan and novatrone
• Drug tamoxifen-taken for 5 years, to prevent
  reoccurance of Br/cancer.
• Drugs can bring on nonalcoholic fatty liver
  disease. Although, just because you have a fatty
  liver doesnt mean that it can become cirrhosis.
• Diet, nutrition, carb control can help but
  doesnt solve the problem completely.

3
New purpose and meaning

• Anxiety, fear, guilt, worry are only emotions,
  but knowledge is power.
• Organ and tissue transplants can solve problems
  for many persons.
• Living donors can donate a kidney, partial lung,
  partial liver.
• Deceased donors can donate heart, liver, lungs,
  small intestines, kidneys, pancreas.

4
New purpose and meaning

• A deceased donor can donate bones, corneas,
  heart valves, skin, tendons, veins, ligaments,
  soft tissues, cartilege, eye, and more.
• As you can see, you can sign up to become a
  living donor, or deceased donor, all very worthy
  and honorable.
• Organs and tissues are all needed.

5
Transplant Hospitals

• There are hospitals, doctors, nurses, support
  teams, organ and tissue procurement doctors, and
  whole staff who are skilled and have the
  expertise.
• The need is for donors. We could save lives of
  many ages, and help children and adults to
  continue with their lives.
• Michigan is behind other states for donors.

6
Facts, not myths

• Doctors will make every effort to save your
  life. The medical team is separate from the
  transplant team.
• There is no cost to the donor/family.
• Funeral arrangements are not delayed.
• Major religions approve of organ and tissue
  donation.
• 100,000 people are waiting for an organ
  transplant.

7
Facts, not myths

• You can save up to 8 lives with organ transplant.
• You can affect up to 50 people through tissue
  donation.
• People of all ages and medical histories can
  become potential donors.
• It is illegal to buy or sell organs and tissue
  for transplantation.

8
Facts, not myths

• Living donors can donate a kidney, partial
  liver, partial lung, partial pancreas,
  intestines.
• Deceased donors can donate heart, lung, liver,
  pancreas, kidney, and tissues, bone, ligaments,
  corneas, veins, eyes, heart valves, skin,
  tendons, cartilage.
• All life saving efforts will be made before they
  declare your death.

9
The need for donors is great.

• Close to 3000 people are waiting for an organ
  transplant, in Michigan alone.
• Childhood illnesses, diseases of all ages,
  vehicle accidents, job related injuries, and war
  injuries makes this need even greater.
• People die waiting for a transplant, since this
  is their only solution to their health problem.

10
Gift of Life

• You need a red heart sticker on the front of
  your drivers license.
• If you dont have the sticker, you need to
  register again at the Gift of Life. You can go to
  www.giftoflifemichigan.org or call 800-482-4881.
  I have provided other web sites to go to for more
  information on transplants.

11
Live, laugh, love

• Healthy Habits
• Limit alcohol
• Limit all the extra vitamins and minerals, over
  the counter medicines, and other meds that are
  harmful to the liver, kidneys, and heart,
  particularly if you dont really need them.
• Breathe in good air. Stay away from smoking.
• Exercise daily.
• Eat wisely and follow good nutrition.

12
Old Irish Blessing

• May love and laughter light your days, and warm
  your heart and home. May good and faithful
  friends be yours, wherever you roam. May peace
  and joy bless your world. May all lifes passing
  seasons bring the best to you and yours.
• For every storm, may you have a rainbow, for
  every tear, a smile,for every care, a promise,
  and a blessing in each trial, for every problem
  life sends a faithful friend to share, for every
  sigh, a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer.

13

• For every storm, may you have a rainbow, for
  every tear, a smile,
• for every care, a promise,
• and a blessing in each trial,
• for every problem life sends
• a faithful friend to share,
• for every sigh, a sweet song,
• and an answer for each prayer.

14
Be A Hero

• Sign up!!
• Spread the news
• Thank you so much for all your time and
  attention!!