community partner – Midwest Transplant Network

MTN Spotlight: Advocacy and a gift to build awareness

January 15, 2026/in

MTN Spotlight: Advocacy and a gift to build awareness

Advocacy for organ, eye and tissue donation is demonstrated in as many ways as there are people who’ve received the gift of donation.

Andrew Widman

Andrew Widman is a heart transplant recipient who openly shares his personal journey. He was born with a rare congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery as a child. He grew up doing well, but as an adult, his heart began to fail. Eventually, he needed a transplant. Time went by. After a doctor’s appointment, he was too sick to go home and was admitted to Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. It was there that he waited. In March 2017, his mobile phone rang. A donor hero’s heart matched his needs, and Andrew became Saint Luke’s 745th heart recipient.

Soon after, Andrew became a volunteer Ambassador for Midwest Transplant Network to advocate for donation and be a voice in the community. In January 2024, he became a member of MTN’s Governing Board.

Andrew’s advocacy is also shown through a generous grant to Midwest Transplant Network through an award from his employer.

A grant for growth
Andrew Widman, CLF®, is a Senior Financial Representative with Principal Financial Network.

Principal® Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Principal Financial Group®, recognized more than a dozen nonprofit organizations from across the country through a new program, the 2025 Principal® Financial Network Community Service Awards.

The awards celebrate 15 members of Principal Financial Network who “demonstrate exceptional dedication to community service through long-term volunteerism and commitment to nonprofit organizations in their communities.” Each award includes a charitable contribution to a nonprofit organization chosen by the recipient.

Andrew is a Builder Award honoree, presented to “dedicated volunteers helping drive measurable growth within organizations.” Midwest Transplant Network will receive a $15,000 grant.

Of course, we had a conversation to learn more about the grant and why Andrew chose MTN to receive the grant.

What inspired you to apply for the grant award?
Anytime there is an opportunity to raise money for a cause that is very important to me, I jump at the chance. When I found out that Principal® Foundation was offering this large grant, I applied immediately.

What inspired you to choose MTN as the beneficiary?
Midwest Transplant Network does amazing work, both on the recipient’s and donor’s side. MTN matched me with my life-saving heart, and I am grateful. I am also in awe of how caring and respectful MTN is in taking care of the donor families.

How long have you served on the board for Midwest Transplant Network? How long have you been an Ambassador?
I have served on the governing board for two years, and I’ve been an Ambassador for almost nine years.

From your perspective as a transplant recipient and an advocate for donation, what community outreach is most meaningful to you?
The reason I became an Ambassador is to tell my story. My favorite thing to do post-transplant is to meet and speak to donor families. I am able to show them what donation looks like on the recipient side, thank them for being heroes and form special bonds with them over related experiences.

What’s one thing you’d like people to understand about organ, eye and tissue donation?
I want everyone to know that organ, eye and tissue donation is the greatest gift you can give to someone. One person can save up to eight lives with organ donation and can improve the lives of over 75 people with eye and tissue donation.

MTN is humbled by the generosity of donation advocates in all ways they choose to give of their time, personal stories or gifts. Thank you, Andrew Widman, for your sincere support of organ, eye and tissue donation.

Note: Monetary donations given to Midwest Transplant Network are used to support public education for organ, eye and tissue donation, as well as donor family services. Donated funds help ensure that people have access to information to make decisions about organ, eye and tissue donation.

A man gives high fives to people in line at an event.

Andrew Widman, MTN Ambassador and Governing Board Member, gives high fives to people at an annual symposium.

A man and two women at a decorated table at a special event.

Andrew Widman, MTN Ambassador and Governing Board Member, hands out wrapped cookies at a symposium hosted by MTN.

A woman wearing glasses, smiling for a picture, wearing a T-shirt with a green ribbon in support of organ donation.

MTN DMV Appreciation Spotlight: Autumn Carroll – Asking the question can save a life

September 30, 2025/in

/by Midwest Transplant Network

September is DMV Appreciation Month and Midwest Transplant Network recognizes the important work that DMV offices have as a partner in organ, eye and tissue donation. Autumn Carroll is the Driver License Supervisor at the Pittsburg, Kansas license office and shares her story about what it’s like to ask, “Would you like to be an organ donor?”

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is knowing that the work that is done every day has a direct impact on people’s lives, sometimes in ways that aren’t immediately seen,” said Autumn.

A woman wearing glasses, smiling for the camera.

Autumn Carroll, a license office supervisor, Pittsburg, Kansas.

“We issue IDs, ensure safety and compliance and help people navigate state regulations, but what really stands out is being part of the process where someone makes the choice to become an organ, eye or tissue donor,” she said. “When I ask that simple question, ‘Would you like to be listed as a donor?’ I know it could lead to someone receiving the gift of life.”

For Autumn, it’s incredibly meaningful to help people make informed, compassionate decisions. “We are part of a system that promotes community service, safety and generosity,” she said. “The most rewarding moments are when someone shares a personal story, maybe they’re a transplant recipient, or they lost someone who was a donor, and you realize just how powerful and far-reaching this work can be.”

The Pittsburg, Kansas license office provides basic information about being a registered organ donor.

“We let them know that by saying ‘yes,’ they are giving hope to thousands of Kansans and Americans waiting for a lifesaving transplant,” Autumn said. “It’s not about pressuring anyone, it’s about making sure they understand the option and can make their wishes known. That little heart symbol on the license can mean the world to someone someday. To me, it’s a privilege to be part of this process. I know that just by offering this information, I may be helping someone take the first step toward becoming a hero.”

When she learns about a donor recipient’s story, it is incredibly moving and meaningful. Hearing these stories reminds Autumn that what she does isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about real people, real families and real lives saved.

“It gives us pride and purpose, knowing that every time we ask someone if they want to register as a donor, it could lead to a story like that,” she said. “These stories also help inspire others. People are often more willing to say ‘yes’ to donation when they understand the incredible impact it can have. It’s a privilege to be a small part of that life-saving chain.”

The Pittsburg license office works closely with Midwest Transplant Network to increase awareness and provide education about organ donation. Printed brochures and flyers that explain the registry, first person authorization protections and what it means to be an organ donor are available at the service counters. The license office staff use virtual training modules provided by MTN. They also display posters or digital screens reminding visitors of the opportunity to become a donor. The staff wear lapel pins, lanyards and T-shirts to support the message. “These visual cues help spark conversations and encourage questions,” said Autumn.

“We receive ongoing training updates and informational materials from our partnering organizations so that staff feel confident discussing donation with applicants in a compassionate, non-coercive manner.”

Autumn said the DMV partnership with MTN ensures that accurate, respectful and timely information is always available when someone makes a decision. This approach helps people make an informed choice and, in many cases, they choose to become a donor.

“It reminds me that this isn’t just a government office, we’re a place where lifesaving decisions are made every day.”

MTN DMV Appreciation Spotlight – Deziree Herrera

September 10, 2025/in

/by Midwest Transplant Network

MTN DMV Appreciation Spotlight: Deziree Herrera – Making connections that impact organ donation

September is DMV Appreciation Month and Midwest Transplant Network is recognizing the important work that DMV offices have as a partner in organ, eye and tissue donation. Deziree Herrera, West Wichita DMV Office Manager, shares her story.

Deziree Herrera, West Wichita DMV Office, Wichita, Kansas

Deziree Herrera is enthusiastic about the work she has been doing for the last 10 years with the Division of Vehicles in Wichita, Kansas. She is a caring person with a warmth in her voice that feels like a hug.

“I wasn’t familiar with organ donation before working with the DMV,” said Deziree. “It was only after working at the DMV that I started speaking about donation in my interactions with family and asking questions about our history and future regarding donation.”

Deziree learned that several of her family members have experienced organ donation as either a donor hero or as a transplant recipient.

“Sharing information about organ, eye and tissue donation every day at the DMV means we have the ability to help save lives,” said Deziree. “For me it’s a blessing to be able to ask the donation question. Asking, “Would you like to be an organ donor?’, means we get to open the door of opportunity to help save the lives of our neighbors. It’s an amazing feeling when people say yes to donation.”

Recognizing an important partnership

The collaboration between organ procurement organizations and DMVs is recognized as vital, as over 90% of organ donor registrations across the country occur through the DMV. This highlights the critical role DMVs have in facilitating organ, eye and tissue donation and saving lives.

DMV and driver license partner staff are the people on the front lines of service who have helped 165 million people across the country register their decision to be a deceased organ, eye and tissue donor.

Donate Life America created National DMV Appreciation Month in 2016 to specifically honor the commitment of DMVs and driver’s license partners to the Donate Life mission. This annual event takes place in September and is a time for national and local organizations to express gratitude for their DMV partnerships.

“Donors are just like them”

“I love MTN’s annual calendar and never throw them away,” said Deziree. “We have posted the photos and stories on the walls of our office so people can see that donor heroes are just like them, people from all different walks of life with various backgrounds, cultures and experiences.”

She said sharing information about donation at the DMV is an element that helps the community. “It could often be the only place people hear about organ donation and the positive impact it can have for an individual or family.”

The Wichita DMV staff meet people who speak a multitude of languages. “When we speak about donation through translation, there is a common connection of gratitude that happens when they say yes to donation and the language of donation then becomes universal,” said Deziree. “Smiles and excitement are exchanged and that’s what this is all about. Celebrating the opportunity to give life and helping bridge gaps in our community.”

Saving more lives

Working together, Midwest Transplant Network and DMV offices help enhance and save lives. During National Donate Life Month in April, the West Wichita DMV office staff enjoy the Blue & Green spirit Days.

This month is an opportunity to give the license office patrons actionable ways to promote the need for organ donors. “We like to go all out on decorations and come up with interactive ways for the community to participate when they say yes to organ, eye and tissue donation,” said Deziree. “It’s another way to engage with people and make them aware of organ donation.”

Deziree is proud knowing she is helping lead the change in perception that is common with the DMV. These perceptions often produce feelings of frustration, bureaucracy and long waits. “Our mission is to issue a variety of licenses and provide assistance to Kansas citizens,” she said. “We are committed to work every day for the people of Kansas. Our vision is to do that with respect, integrity, fairness and civility while cheerfully, accurately and efficiently sharing vital information about organ donation.”

To our incredible DMV partners across Kansas and Missouri — thank you for helping save and enhance lives every day.

Midwest Transplant Network Presents Awards for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Excellence

April 29, 2025/in

Blog,
News

/by Midwest Transplant Network

MTN honored partners with artwork representing Gretchen’s Garden and donor heroes.

Westwood, Kan. (April 29, 2025) – Midwest Transplant Network staff members recognize their partners in saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation by presenting the annual Excellence in Donation Awards to hospitals, individuals and organizations in our community.

Based on 2024 donation outcomes, Midwest Transplant Network presents awards for excellence in organ and tissue donation to hospitals with a higher-than-average number of families granting authorization for donation. The organization also gives awards to exceptional partners in hospitals; licensing, treasury and Department of Revenue offices, medical examiner offices, funeral homes and to individuals or groups who make an extraordinary contribution to Midwest Transplant Network’s lifesaving mission.

“Midwest Transplant Network is proud to honor our partners with the Excellence in Donation Awards,” said MTN Director, Hospital Services, Justina Barnes. “This is our opportunity to recognize how the honorees are meeting the goals of organ and tissue donation as we work together to give hope and share life with individuals and families across Kansas, Missouri and the nation.”

Flowers, Butterflies and Organ Donation
MTN commissioned special artwork from local Kansas City artist, Jenny Meyer-McCall. The awards represent Gretchen’s Garden of Heroes at MTN. The garden is a place of quiet reflection and hope, named in honor of Gretchen Gosch, a beloved MTN staff member who gave the ultimate gift of life. The flowers and butterflies in the award are inspired by original art Gretchen created as a child. The beautiful artwork features remnants of a purple and gold scarf that belonged to her. The awards honor Gretchen and all the donor heroes the garden helps us remember.

2025 Excellence in Donation honorees
Midwest Transplant Network collaborates with 242 hospitals and recognized the following:

Organ and tissue excellence:
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Centerpoint Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Stormont Vail Health, Salina Regional Health Center, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, CommonSpirit St. Catherine Hospital-Garden City, Mercy Hospital Pittsburg, Inc. and Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Organ excellence:
Mosaic Life Care and Select Specialty Hospital-Kansas City

Tissue excellence:
Saint Luke’s Hospital, Providence Medical Center, The University of Kansas Health System, Mercy Hospital Joplin, Freeman Health System, Menorah Medical Center, Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Capital Region Medical Center, Olathe Medical Center, Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, William Newton Hospital and Johnson County Medical Examiner

In addition to hospitals, Midwest Transplant Network collaborates with countless individuals and teams and recognizes the following:

Individual and group honorees:
Kim Harbur, Director of Education, Gift of Life Kansas City; Kelsey Gebauer, MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN, Nurse Manager, Surgical/Trauma ICU at The University of Kansas Health System; HCA Midwest Critical Care Educators Ashley Bearkheimer, MSN, RN, CCRN, Centerpoint Medical Center; April Rock, BSN, RN, Overland Park Regional Medical Center; Sarah Fike, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, Research Medical Center and Katrina Sanders, BSN, RN, HCA MidAmerica Division; Gary Dixon, Midwest Transplant Network volunteer Ambassador; Janelle Williamson, MS, APRN, NP-C, ACHPN, FPCN, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Stormont Vail Health; Arielle Steinle, EMP-T, Paramedic, Butler County EMS and Captain Kathleen (Katie) Yarsulik, Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department

About Midwest Transplant Network
Incorporated in 1973, Midwest Transplant Network saves lives through organ, eye and tissue donation in partnership with hospitals and other professional healthcare organizations to give hope and share life. As the federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) for Kansas and the western two-thirds of Missouri, Midwest Transplant Network provides services including organ procurement, surgical tissue and eye recovery, laboratory testing and 24-hour rapid response for referrals from hospital partners. Midwest Transplant Network ranks in the top 10% in the country among OPOs, which reflects the organization’s quality, professionalism and excellence in partnerships throughout the region. MTN commemorated 50 years of service in 2023. For more information, visit mwtn.org.

Getting Their Flowers: MTN Staff Earn a DAISY Team Award

May 13, 2024/in

/by Nez Savala

The excitement in “We won a DAISY with WMC!!!!” says a lot.

The story behind the sentiment says even more.

In December 2023, a car accident sent Dwayne ‘D Dub’ Moenning to the emergency department at Wesley Healthcare in Wichita, Kansas. He was cared for by a Surgical Intensive Care Unit for about a week, but despite efforts to save him, he passed away. Moenning’s family chose to donate their son’s organs. And they wanted his classmates to attend his honor walk. The school is more than an hour’s drive to the hospital.

MTN’s Impact
Midwest Transplant Network staff Midge Dempsey, Family Services Coordinator II, and Nikki Dixon, Hospital Services Coordinator II, work in the Wichita satellite office. They served on the team that supported the Moenning family, and both made an impact.

Dempsey describes her job as supporting families “during one of the worst days of their lives by giving them hope and to allow them to experience joy amidst their pain.”

Dempsey explained that when the time came to approach the Moenning family about donation, they struggled with the decision, but after conversation and explaining the organ donation process, they “eventually verbalized how important it was for D Dub to save lives.” Soon, Dempsey was helping the family plan an honor walk and coordinating efforts to bring classmates and community members from their small town to the hospital.

“They were finding comfort in donation and how D Dub would be honored.”

Earning The DAISY Team Award
The DAISY Team Award is designed to honor collaboration by two or more people, led by a nurse, who identify and meet patient and patient family needs by going above and beyond the traditional role of nursing.

Wesley Healthcare presented The DAISY Team Award to a multi-disciplinary SICU team that included partners and others who had an instrumental role in the Moenning’s story. The ceremony was held May 8, in the heart of National Nurses Week.

“Earning a DAISY Team Award brings validation to my life and reminds me that I am following the path that has been paved for me. This award brings me joy because I know that I was able to provide someone with something they needed at a given time,” said Dempsey.

As a Hospital Services Coordinator, Dixon is responsible for “education, onboarding, policy development and problem-solving. Most importantly, I teach hospital staff when to refer patients to MTN and help facilitate the relationship between the hospital and Midwest Transplant Network.”

Dixon’s thoughts about the honor are similar. “Earning The DAISY Team Award as part of a hospital/MTN team is a blessing. We work very closely with the hospital team and winning an award together is a testament to that partnership.”

There’s another layer to the award for Dixon. “I spent my bedside nursing career in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Wesley, so this hospital is dear to my heart. I am very proud to serve Wesley as their MTN Hospital Services Coordinator. Organ donation saved my late father’s life twice, so I am honored to be part of this mission.”

About The DAISY Award
The DAISY Award was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes in honor of the care he received after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at the age of 33, in 1999. While he was hospitalized, his family “experienced the best of nursing.”

After Barnes died, his wife created the acronym DAISY – Diseases Attacking the Immune System – and the family created a not-for-profit organization, and The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses began at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance at the University of Washington Medical Center. The DAISY Award is described as “the first program of its kind to give patients, families, and co-workers a way to express their gratitude to nurses for what they became nurses to do – provide compassionate care to patients and their families.”

The DAISY Award has become a strategic tool for nurse recruitment, retention and resilience that has been adopted by healthcare organizations and schools of nursing in the U.S. and around the world. Learn more about the program from The DAISY Foundation.

Two ladies holding certificates in front of a star-themed background.

Midge Dempsey and Nikki Dixon, Midwest Transplant Network, pose with The DAISY Team Award certificates they received at a ceremony at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Four ladies posing for a picture in front of a star-themed background.

Midge Dempsey, Jennifer Scheuber, Amy Keith, Wesley Medical Center, and Nikki Dixon are all smiles at The DAISY Awards celebration.

Wesley Healthcare recognized its Surgical Intensive Care Unit with The DAISY Team Award at a ceremony during National Nurses Week.

Midwest Transplant Network Presents Annual Awards for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Excellence

April 25, 2024/in

/by Nez Savala

Midwest Transplant Network staff members recognize their partners in saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation by presenting the annual Excellence in Donation Awards to hospitals, individuals and organizations in our community.

Based on 2023 donation outcomes, Midwest Transplant Network presents the Excellence in Organ and Tissue Donation Awards to hospitals that had a higher-than-average number of families granting authorization for donation. The organization also gives these awards to exceptional partners in hospitals; licensing, treasury and Department of Revenue offices; medical examiner officers; funeral homes and beyond. These individuals made an extraordinary contribution to Midwest Transplant Network’s lifesaving mission.

Butterflies and Organ Donation

The butterfly holds deep symbolism in organ, eye and tissue donation. The butterfly is associated with hope, renewal and transformation; just as a caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis to become a butterfly, organ donation represents a transformative process for donor families and transplant recipients – the gift of life that brings hope to those in need.

Award honorees received a beautiful, pressed flower butterfly print by artist Ashley Foster. She believes that flowers symbolize joy, love and gratitude.

2024 Excellence in Donation Honorees

Midwest Transplant Network collaborates with 250 hospitals and recognized the following:

Organ and tissue excellence: Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Freeman Health System, Hays Medical Center, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Capital Region Medical Center, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Organ excellence: AdventHealth South Overland Park, Mercy Hospital Joplin, Centerpoint Medical Center, Stormont Vail Health Care, The University of Kansas Health System, Olathe Medical Center, Liberty Hospital, Saint Luke’s North Hospital.

Tissue excellence: Mosaic Life Care, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Salina Regional Health Center, The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, Kansas Medical Center, Nevada Regional Medical Center.

In addition to hospitals, Midwest Transplant Network collaborates with countless individuals and teams and recognized the following:

Individual and group honorees: Olivia Zhang, CST, University of Missouri Health Care; Amy Keith, BSN, Wesley Medical Center; Crystal Vail, RN, BSN, Freeman; Ciara Wright, Ph.D, The University of Kansas Health System; Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office; Deborah Washam, RN, MS, Greater Kansas City Black Nurses Association; Anthony Harrington, MD, Blue Sky Neurology, Research Medical Center; Naftali Presser, MD, Research Medical Center; Bhargava Mullapudi, MD, Children’s Mercy Kansas City; Andrew Widman, volunteer Ambassador.

About Midwest Transplant Network

Midwest Transplant Network has been connecting lives through organ donation since 1973. As the federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) for Kansas and the western two-thirds of Missouri, Midwest Transplant Network provides services including organ procurement; surgical tissue and eye recovery; laboratory testing; and 24-hour rapid response for referrals from hospital partners. Midwest Transplant Network ranks in the top 10% in the country among OPOs, which reflects the organization’s quality, professionalism and excellence in partnerships throughout the region. For more information, visit mwtn.org.

A butterfly made of pressed flowers in a photo frame.

A pressed flower butterfly print given to award honorees at MTN’s Excellence in Donation ceremony.

Guests seated at a table at an awards celebration.

Guests at MTN’s annual Excellence in Donation Awards ceremony smile for a photo.

Andrew Widman, MTN Ambassador, speaking at the podium at MTN’s Excellence in Donation Awards ceremony.

Excellence in Donation Awards ceremony guests participating in a bubble remembrance.

MTN Community Spotlight: Imagine the impact of a generous donation

January 23, 2024/in

Blog,
News

/by Midwest Transplant Network

A middle school multipurpose room with a performance stage. Rows of black stackable chairs with slips of purple paper to mark seat numbers for the ticketed show. Long tables filled with brightly wrapped candy, sweet treats and the smell of spun sugar from a cotton candy machine complement the anticipation.

It’s opening night.

The lights dim.

The curtain rises.

The show begins.

“Come with me, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination. Take a look and you’ll see into your imagination.” ~ Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Students and families at Harmony Middle School in the Blue Valley School District raised $2,856 from their spring musical, “Willy Wonka,” and donated the ticket sales to Midwest Transplant Network in honor of a donor hero family.

Annually, the student cast gets to nominate a charity. Students give a quick speech about an organization that’s had an impact on them, and the cast votes to choose “the most deserving.” David Davis, theater director at Harmony Middle School, said this is the 15th year of the benefit performance.

Five people standing center stage in front of a curtain. Fourth person from the left is holding a microphone and reading from a sheet of paper.

The Dirks family and Midwest Transplant Network staff are center stage during intermission at Harmony Middle School in the Blue Valley School District.

This year, students Belle and Beau Dirks successfully advocated for MTN with their personal story. Their father, Josh Dirks, passed away in November 2021 and became an organ donor hero by way of his heart.

During intermission, the Dirks family took center stage – Belle and Beau, mom Tiffany, and sister Ella. Belle shared their organ donation journey from written remarks while Beau held a large, framed photo of their dad. Their grandparents, younger sister and family friends were in the audience, beaming with pride and emotion.

“…The day he went to heaven was the hardest day of my life. We were in his hospital room when they told us that he wasn’t coming home. There were so many people in the room, but I remember one lady, Ms. Gretchen, from Midwest Transplant Network. She hugged all of us and told us that it was going to be ok.

“…She told us what it means to be a donor, how important his decision was, and how he would be able to help someone else continue to live. Then, she laid a blanket on him that had the word HERO printed on it.”

Belle shared more of their story, then closed with a clear call to action:

“I know it is a difficult decision to become an organ donor, but I encourage you to sign up. Their motto is GIVE HOPE, SHARE LIFE — and that is what you do when you sign up to be an organ donor.

“You never know, you just might become a HERO in someone else’s story – Just like my daddy did!!”

The audience applauded.

The lights dimmed.

Five people are center stage during intermission at a school musical, posing for a photo.

The Dirks family and MTN staff after presenting a contribution to Midwest Transplant Network. From left to right: Tiffany Dirks, mom; Nichole Asquith, MTN; Beau holds a photo of Josh Dirks, father and donor hero; Belle and Ella Dirks.

And the show went on.

Midwest Transplant Network is appreciative to the students, families, teachers and staff of Harmony Middle School and their generous contribution to support organ, eye and tissue donation, and MTN is humbled to be a part of the Dirks family organ donation journey.

Please learn more about what it means to become a registered organ donor at mwtn.org.

Partner Spotlight — Lisa Miller, Jackson County, Kansas, Treasurer’s Office

November 21, 2023/in

/by Midwest Transplant Network

Midwest Transplant Network partners with licensing, treasury and Department of Revenue offices in Kansas and western Missouri to grow the organ, eye and tissue donor registry. We spoke with Lisa Miller, Deputy Treasurer of the Jackson County, Kansas, Treasurer’s Office about why donation is so important to her.

Jackson County, Kansas, Deputy Treasurer Lisa Miller

How does your specific office help inform and educate patrons on the importance of joining the donor registry?

We display all of the items that are provided by MTN and also participate in the promotions for National Donate Life Month and National DMV Appreciation Month with a display in our office.

We have in the past had our pictures of our displays in the local newspaper.

Why do you feel your office’s efforts to promote the need for organ, eye and tissue donors are so important?

Our office has a personal connection to organ donation. We have two employees with relatives who are recipients of organ donation and one employee who is a living donor.

Tell us about your connection to organ, eye and tissue donation.

In April 2004, my husband became ill and ended up in the hospital with an infection. After many doctor’s appointments and several years later, he ended up in the hospital and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Our belief is that the infection had attacked his heart. His cardiologist referred us to the Saint Luke’s transplant program. After spending the first half of 2014 in and out of the hospital, he was finally added to the transplant waitlist in July. He entered the hospital in October and received his heart in December. Since, he has been able to see two of his children get married and is enjoying his four grandchildren and hunting with his sons.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about donation in your personal and/or professional life?

That the medical professionals will not provide the care needed to save a life if they know that the individual is a donor.

If there is one thing you would want to share with others about the importance of joining the donor registry, what would it be?

It truly is a gift of life.

Partner Spotlight — Linda Gerhardt, Jackson County, Kansas, Treasurer’s Office

September 28, 2023/in

/by Linda Gerhardt

As National DMV Appreciation Month comes to a close, Jackson County, Kansas, Treasurer Linda Gerhardt told us why organ, eye and tissue donation is personal to her.

Living donor and Jackson County, Kansas, Treasurer Linda Gerhardt

Mine is the story of a living kidney donor. My niece was diagnosed with diabetes when she was in high school. Her mother was diabetic, so she had inherited it. A few years after my niece got out of high school, she was continually sick and in and out of the hospital. She was on dialysis, and she did the dialysis at home at night and went to work during the day. She was a very hardworking, self-supporting young woman. The day came that she was told she needed a kidney transplant. She was put on the transplant waitlist and was told that could take quite a while.

As time went on, my niece became sicker; she was in and out of the hospital, and we worried she might not receive a kidney in time. One day I was at my mother’s, and she said to me, “If something were to happen to me, could Melody get one of my kidneys?” It suddenly opened my eyes. I told my sister of the conversation, and she said that she herself had asked the doctor about donating, and they had told her no because of a medical condition. I had never even given it a thought as a possibility. I was 39 years old and married with two boys. We were her dad’s sisters, so there was a chance we could match. Her parents were both deceased, and none of her brothers or sisters matched or for health reasons couldn’t donate. I suddenly realized this was something I could do.

I then started the process. I was an 80% match to Melody, and they told me that her dad and I probably would have been a perfect match. I had never been a person to go to the doctor unless I had to (kind of like not wanting to go to the dentist), but at the point of finding out I could help her, it was like God was leading my way. I had to monitor my blood pressure; I would go to the health department so they could record it for me. It would be high, and the nurse would say, “Let’s just visit for a while,” and then it would be fine. I passed all the tests.

We checked in at The University of Kansas Medical Center to do the surgery, and preliminary tests showed my niece had an infection, so it was put off for a month. The next time, we were good to go. My priest at church had announced to the congregation to pray for me and gave me a special blessing. It was all like it was meant to be.

On June 25, 2023, we marked 25 years since the transplant. I received the prettiest bouquet of flowers from her. Being an organ donor was never something I had considered, but knowing I could possibly save her life was such a good feeling. I never saw a bill for anything; it all went through my niece’s insurance.

When I was an organ donor, I did not work in the treasurer’s/driver’s license office. Now, I do, and I am honored to help inform people about and promote organ donation. It is amazing how surrounded we have been by organ donation in the courthouse. We’ve had a coworker’s husband receive a heart transplant and a coworker’s brother receive a kidney/pancreas transplant. And in the Register of Deeds office, a worker’s granddaughter received a lung transplant. On the third floor of the courthouse, a judge received a heart transplant, and a past employee’s husband received a kidney from his daughter. In some of these cases, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t be here today if not for others’ generous donations.

We always participate in whatever we can to promote organ donation at our office. No one knows when they might be the next one to have a loved one suffering from an illness they never expected, whose life depends on your decision or someone else’s. If you have ever been faced with someone you know needing an organ transplant, you would know how important it is to be on the donor registry. Please think about organ donation.

Our thanks to Linda Gerhardt for writing this guest blog post.

Partner Spotlight — Stefanie Dotson, Maryville Licensing Bureau

September 20, 2023/in

/by Midwest Transplant Network

In honor of National DMV Appreciation Month, we asked Assistant Manager Stefanie Dotson of the Maryville (Missouri) Licensing Bureau about her important role in the donation process. She also shared her personal ties to organ, eye and tissue donation in this Q&A.

Stefanie Dotson with her nephew, donor hero Aiden Jones

Maryville Licensing Bureau Assistant Manager Stefanie Dotson (left) with her nephew, donor hero Aiden

Q: Tell us a bit about the role the DMV plays in organ, eye and tissue donation.

A: As a DMV worker, any time I issue a permit or driver’s license, we ask if they would like to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. I have found that many people are unaware of the program and have no knowledge of the benefits. At that time, I am able to inform them with the facts and use my personal experiences so they can make the right decision for them.

Q: Tell us about your connection to organ, eye and/or tissue donation.

A: I have several connections to the organ, eye and tissue donation program. I have a friend who has received two kidneys, and I’m happy to report she’s doing great. My mother-in-law had three kinds of cancer, and my husband was still able to donate her corneas when she passed. The one most dear to my heart is my organ donor hero nephew. He was 16 years old when tragedy struck, and we found ourselves devastated by the news he would not be going home with us. I looked at my sister and said, “You know what the next question is, right?” She said, “No, what?” I said, “Do you want to donate his organs?” She took a bit to talk it over and decided she would. The honor walk was amazing. My sister has since received letters from some of the recipients, which have been amazing to read.

Q: How does your specific office help inform and educate patrons on the importance of joining the donor registry?

A: Our office always tries to find fun ways to open up the conversation about being a donor. We like to participate in any decorating contests that are available, we have different displays with facts about being a donor and we include the people we know are recipients or have become a donor hero in our display. Around the holidays, we decorate a tree with the donation colors and add bracelets for the public.

Q: Why do you feel your office’s efforts to promote the need for organ, eye and tissue donors are so important?

A: I feel it is important to inform people of the facts about being a donor. There are lots of misconceptions out there about the details that scare people away. When people are informed with facts, it’s easier for them to make the decision to be an organ donor.

Q: What is the biggest misconception you hear about donation that you hear in your personal and/or professional life?

A: The biggest misconception I hear is: “I was told I can’t donate my organs by this doctor because of this.”

My mother-in-law’s corneas were still used even though she had three different cancers.

Q: If there is one thing you’d want to share with others about the importance of joining the donor registry, what would it be?

A: I just would like people to realize how life-changing it is to be a recipient of an organ. Your loved one gets to live on and is celebrated by people you never knew existed because they are a part of your loved one, with them every day.

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