transplantation – Midwest Transplant Network

Donor Hero, Transplant Warrier, MTN Legacy Walk 2025

Why I Walk: The Annual Walk Means Everything to this Mom

May 7, 2025/in

Blog

Ryan and Natalie Stoway

The first Saturday in June isn’t just a regular weekend. It’s a day filled with hundreds of people gathering to honor and celebrate the lives of donor heroes, transplant recipients, people who are waiting for a transplant, and many others at the annual Midwest Transplant Network Donate Life Legacy Walk in Kansas City, Missouri.

The event means different things to the people who are walking. MTN Ambassador Alexis Stoway says, “I walk at the Legacy Walk every year for both my children. My daughter, Natalie, is a kidney and a tissue recipient, and my son, Ryan, was a donor hero when he passed in 2021. He was able to donate a tendon and a ligament to his sister, and she received it in her knee.”

After losing her son Ryan, Alexis said she finds her emotions go up and down. “I know that for three hours on that day, during the Legacy Walk, that I’m at peace. It’s amazingly incredible to see the donor hero families celebrating their loved ones, and then you see the recipients also celebrating their second chance, their second chance at life, their second chance at recovery, their second chance at sight. Seeing all of them and everybody from every walk of life, no matter who you are, it doesn’t matter because everybody is there for one reason.”

Part of the team
Who joins Alexis during the walk? “Family, friends, Ryan’s friends, Natalie’s friends, everybody that wants to celebrate. My kids, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends,” she said. “There’s been anywhere from 40 to 70 of us in our group. That’s what we come to do and it’s a place for everybody to be together as one.”

Alexis said it brings a lot of comfort knowing that a donor hero is not forgotten and is still appreciated whether it’s 10, 15 or 20 years down the road. They’re still being celebrated for the gifts they have given.

Her mission
Alexis and her family proudly wear their MTN T-shirts when they are out, or at school and even on vacation. The family is happy to participate in the conversations that start because of their shirts, and the Donate Life green bracelets they wear that honor donors and give hope to those waiting for the gift of life.

“We wore our Give Hope Share Life sweatshirts at Dollywood recently. We were stopped twice by people there. One person was waiting for a liver and thanked us for bringing awareness and for also wearing our green ribbons. Another person had a liver transplant 20 years ago. He had never seen anybody wear anything like that and he was so proud.”

Ryan’s parents and sister join the MTN Legacy Walk every year.

Plan to join us
Midwest Transplant Network invites you to join us for the ninth annual Donate Life Legacy Walk on Saturday, June 7, from 6–9 p.m. at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. The celebration welcomes donor hero families, transplant recipients, people who are on the waiting list and many more who support the mission of organ, eye and tissue donation.

This year, the live concert features local band Twice on Sunday, several food trucks with snacks and meals for purchase, the MTN Tribute Trail honoring loved ones, and the opportunity to make memories. The walk is in a new spot at the Memorial. Look for us on the south lawn near the entrance. There are lots of trees for more shade, a natural amphitheater and a smaller, cozier space. Please plan to attend and celebrate the gift of life while helping raise awareness about the importance of being an organ, eye and tissue donor. Learn more and register for the Legacy Walk at mwtn.org/legacy-walk

Watch and listen

Take a moment to watch and listen as Alexis tells us why she walks.

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.

Tiffany Nyquist saved Scott Norman's life when she donated her kidney to him.

How Tiffany Nyquist and Scott Norman Celebrate Life and Their Kidney-versary

April 2, 2025/in

/by Joyce Allard

Tiffany saved Scott’s life with her kidney donation.

National Donate Life Living Donor Day is April 2. It’s a day dedicated to thanking and honoring living donors and their lifesaving generosity. Tiffany Nyquist is a Midwest Transplant Network Ambassador who shares her story of donating a kidney to her friend Scott Norman. The day we talked to Tiffany and Scott was their 18th kidney-versary.

Scott Norman grew up on a farm in western Kansas. He was a star athlete who lettered in baseball and basketball and could have played college sports. There wasn’t any thought that his strep-infected kidney, diagnosed at age five, would slow him down. It did lead to a kidney transplant from a donor hero when he was 18. He kept living his life.

As a young man from a family of military service members, Scott knew he would continue the family legacy of his father, grandfather and great grandfather. “I signed up for the military and was accepted and approved for the very elite nuclear program at the time, which was the 80s,” he said. “I was looking forward to this new adventure, a new career and earning a college degree while serving.”

Scott completed the academic testing and needed to have a physical at the Naval testing facility. His test results were devastating. The commander told him his urine was spilling protein, and he would lose his kidneys someday. “It could be six months or six years,” the commander said. “We don’t know when this might happen, but unfortunately, we can’t accept you.”

Scott’s dream of serving his country was over. However, his deep faith led him to believe and know this would not be the end of his career success or his future.

A lifesaving friendship

Tiffany Nyquist met Scott through work. They became friends, socializing with their spouses and families. She started babysitting Scott’s three children and grew close to them. Their families spent a lot of time together, even celebrating big holidays.

It was years later when Tiffany watched Scott become sicker with kidney issues. She knew she had to do something to help. “He had been sick for a while and it wasn’t until he was admitted to the hospital that I started thinking about his kids and how close I am with my own dad. I didn’t want to think of his kids not having a father. That’s when I decided to get tested and see if I could be a match for him.”

An early MTN connection

In 2007, Tiffany worked in an office in the same building as Midwest Transplant Network. One day on her lunch break, she went MTN’s reception desk and said, “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I have a friend who’s on the kidney transplant list, and I’d like to see if I could be a match. And I’d like for him not to know it’s me.”

The initial blood work led to more testing. Tiffany was informed she was a match and could donate a kidney to Scott.

It was during a Thanksgiving celebration with the two families that Tiffany told Scott and his wife they were a match, and she wanted him to have her kidney. Scott and his wife were surprised and overwhelmed. And after a few days of praying about it and thinking it over they decided they were ready to move forward.

“I’m a thriver”

After the surgery, Tiffany was in the hospital for three days. After a few weeks, she was back at work and going to the gym. Scott returned to work in three weeks and continued in his leadership role with his company.

Scott said his kidney transplant was a seamless and easy process. “I am a living, walking miracle thanks to Tiffany and Midwest Transplant Network. I’m not just a survivor, I’m a thriver. I’ve been successful in starting a medical device manufacturing company that is saving lives and changing the world of healthcare.”

Tiffany became a registered organ, eye and tissue donor when she got her driver’s license at age 16. “Registering to become a donor when you get your driver’s license is great. I think a lot of people don’t realize the living donation process can be as easy as it was for me. After donating you can live a normal life. I feel like it’s not a huge sacrifice to give somebody 18 or more years of life.”

Tiffany and Scott are both high-energy entrepreneurs running multiple businesses. They don’t spend as much time together as they would like to. However, they do take every opportunity to talk to others about registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor and share their individual experiences.

They celebrate their kidney-versary every March 6 with a call, text, flowers or lunch. “There’s always some type of acknowledgement,” Scott says beaming with a 1,000-watt smile.

An infographic displaying 1,075, the number of lifesaving organ transplants provided by Midwest Transplant Network in 2024.

Lifesaving Achievements: Midwest Transplant Network saves lives through 1,075 organ transplants in 2024

February 3, 2025/in

Blog,
News

/by Midwest Transplant Network

In 2024, Midwest Transplant Network set a new level of achievement for the number of organs recovered for transplantation, organ donors, eye and tissue donors, and laboratory tests performed in the accomplishment of its mission work.

MTN, a not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO), is privileged to work with donor families to extend their loved one’s legacy in providing 1,075* lifesaving organs for transplantation. The 399 donor hero’s gifts made it possible for grateful recipients to have a new lease on life. MTN recovered tissues from 1,447 donor heroes.

As a highly ranked OPO, Midwest Transplant Network consistently performs in the top 10% in the country among 56 OPOs, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“In 2024, for the first time in our history, we reached a milestone of 1,075 organs transplanted. It’s a remarkable achievement that’s only made possible by the generosity of people who said yes to being organ donors,” said Jan Finn, RN, MSN, President & CEO, Midwest Transplant Network.

“We are truly grateful to the donor heroes and their families for giving these gifts to save lives. The impact of their decision means so much, like a child receiving a kidney, or a teenager getting a new heart, or someone who’s been waiting for a long time getting the call that a liver is available and it’s a good match.

“This achievement reflects the commitment of our staff and hospital partners to honor the gifts of organ donation, and to make a difference in the lives of people who are waiting for a transplant. It’s all connected,” said Finn.

2024: An Impactful Year
One organ donor can save eight lives; a tissue donor can enhance 100 lives. Through MTN, organ, eye and tissue donor heroes and their families saved and enhanced lives:

• 399 donor heroes shared the gift of life, resulting in 1,075* lifesaving organ transplants.
(*Excluding organs donated for research)
• 1,447 cornea and tissue donor heroes saved and enhanced lives.
• MTN’s lab performed 40,075 transplant-supporting tests ranging from blood counts, urinalysis, basic chemistry panels and more.
• In its second full year of service, MTN’s Donor Care and Surgical Recovery Unit (DCU) cared for 131 donor hero patients resulting in 430 lifesaving transplants.

MTN’s award-winning histocompatibility lab conducts tests such as assessing blood work for potential matches for organ, tissue and bone marrow transplantation, as well as post-transplant monitoring.

“The MTN lab plays a vital role in organ donation, where our testing helps bridge the gap between hope and life, connecting donors to patients in need of life-saving transplants,” said Christina Bishop, MT(ASCP), Ph.D., F(ACHI), Chief of Laboratory Services.

“The Donor Care and Surgical Recovery Unit is two years into operation, and we know we’re making a difference. By having a dedicated intensive care unit and surgical recovery suite to recover organs, eyes and tissues means that our trusted staff can move quickly and efficiently to help save and enhance lives,” said Lori Markham, RN, MSN, CCRN, Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer.

At a Glance

Reflecting a National Increase in Organ Donation

MTN’s performance increases reflect a national upward trend for the organ transplant system.

The United Network for Organ Sharing reported that across the country, 48,149 lifesaving transplants were performed in 2024.

On average, the U.S. performed 132 organ transplants a day in 2024.

Although organ transplants are increasing nationally and locally, the waiting list grows. Nearly 104,000 people around the country need a lifesaving organ transplant — with approximately 488 of those people living in Kansas and 2,032 in Missouri.

The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) set a bold aim to achieve 50,000 annual organ transplants in 2026 by working with key stakeholders on multiple initiatives. Midwest Transplant Network is a leader in helping to reach the bold goal to save lives.

Incorporated in 1973, Midwest Transplant Network facilitates organ, eye and tissue donation in partnership with hospitals and other professional partners to give hope and share life. MTN’s service area is the state of Kansas and western two-thirds of Missouri, with its central office located in Westwood, Kansas, and satellite offices in Wichita, Kansas, and Columbia and Joplin, Missouri. MTN commemorated 50 years of service in 2023.

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.

Scot Pollard at the hospital standing with a walker

Scot Pollard’s Transplant Journey: A Big Heart for a Big Legend

April 11, 2024/in

Blog,
News

/by Midwest Transplant Network

A tall man in a hospital room, wearing a hospital gown and standing with a walker.

Scot Pollard stands with a walker in a hospital room during his care as he underwent a heart transplant. Photo provided by the Pollard family.

At 6’11”, Scot Pollard’s size has often been credited as a gift, propelling him into an 11-year NBA career following his legendary time with the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team, during which he helped Kansas reach the NCAA Sweet 16 four seasons in a row.

In 2021, Pollard’s heart health began to rapidly decline due to a hereditary condition exacerbated by a contracted virus. It eventually became apparent that most medical solutions would not be enough. He needed a new heart, and more than that, he needed a really big one.

The respective body size of an organ donor and a registered transplant candidate are factors in determining whether a successful transplant is possible – especially for a heart. In the case of someone as large as Pollard, the odds of finding a match are lower.

“It’s not like being tall is a curse. It’s not. It’s still a blessing. But, I have known my entire life that there’s a good chance I wasn’t going to get old,” said Pollard in an interview with the Associated Press. “And so it gives you a different perspective on how you live your life and how you treat people and all that kind of stuff.”

Pollard and his wife, Dawn, revealed his condition on social media in January. They went on to post updates and participate in news interviews to share his progress, which in turn raised national awareness for the complexities surrounding organ transplantation and the importance of organ donation.

He underwent a successful heart transplant surgery on Feb. 16, after which he “immediately felt better.” Just 13 days later, he strutted out of the hospital to a chorus of applause.

Through this journey, Pollard has learned about the lifesaving gift of organ donation, and even hopes to one day connect with the family of his donor hero. “I would love to show them this heart isn’t going to waste.” Every donor hero can save up to eight lives, and Pollard hopes that by educating his friends, neighbors and fans, he can contribute to this life-saving work. “I’m going to annoy people with becoming a donor. That’s going to be a project for the rest of my life,” he said.

In honor of National Donate Life Month, Midwest Transplant Network is proud to recognize Scot Pollard as a Green Ribbon Champion for his openness about his transplant journey and advocacy for organ donation. Green Ribbon Champions are individuals who are passionate about increasing the number of registered organ donors in their communities, understanding that a simple “yes” can help give hope and share life to the thousands in need of life-saving organ transplants.

Midwest Transplant Network invites you to consider joining your state’s organ donor registry and encourage others to do the same. Learn more about the types of donation, including the option to be a living donor, and the incredibly positive emotional experiences of organ donor families and transplant recipients.

Join the organ, eye and tissue donor registry in Kansas and Missouri at ShareLifeMidwest.com or join the national donor registry at RegisterMe.org.

Midwest Transplant Network surpasses expectations to save and enhance lives in 2023

January 31, 2024/in

News

/by Midwest Transplant Network

One organ donor can save eight lives; a tissue donor can enhance 100 lives.

In 2023, Midwest Transplant Network set a new level of achievement for the number of organs recovered for transplantation, organ donors, eye and tissue donors, and laboratory tests performed as part of organ, eye and tissue donation.

MTN, a not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO), achieved 988 lifesaving organs for transplantation. The gifts came from 363 donor heroes. MTN also recovered gifts of eye and tissue from 1,399 donors.

“What we achieved at Midwest Transplant Network in 2023 reflects the commitment of the staff who do the work every day to support organ donation and transplantation. The work is hard, and happens in countless ways, but we are all dedicated to the mission of enhancing and saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation” said Jan Finn, RN, MSN, President & CEO, Midwest Transplant Network.

MTN’s award-winning histocompatibility lab performed 36,224 tests assessing blood work for potential matches for organ, tissue and bone marrow transplantation, as well as post-transplant monitoring.

“MTN’s professional laboratory staff performs thousands of tests in support of organ transplants for patients in our community, as well as patients across the country. Each year, the laboratory’s service grows as we continue to provide exceptional quality and expert consultation services 24/7 to transplant centers,” said Christina Bishop, MT(ASCP), Ph.D., F(ACHI), Chief of Laboratory Services.

An Upward Trend

MTN’s performance metric increases reflect a national upward trend for the organ transplant system.

The United Network for Organ Sharing reported that across the country, clinical workers performed more than 46,000 lifesaving transplants in 2023.

Although organ transplants are increasing nationally and locally, the waiting list grows. More than 100,000 people around the country need a lifesaving organ transplant — with approximately 460 of those people living in Kansas and 2,000 in Missouri.

2023: A Significant Year for Saving Lives
Through MTN, the generosity of donor heroes and their families touched the lives of people in need:

363 donor heroes shared the gift of life, resulting in 988* lifesaving organ transplants.
(*Excluding organs donated for research)
1,399 cornea and tissue donor heroes saved and enhanced lives.
MTN’s lab performed 36,224 transplant-supporting tests ranging from blood counts, urinalysis, basic chemistry panels and more.
In its first full year of service, MTN’s Donor Recovery and Surgical Unit (DCU) cared for 114 donor hero patients resulting in 364 lifesaving transplants.

“The DCU allows us to continue specialized care for donor hero patients while maximizing their gifts of donation. The DCU also enables us to support our hospital partners by freeing up resources such as intensive care unit beds, operating rooms and medical staff needed to care for donor patients,” said Lori Markham, RN, MSN, CCRN, Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer.

At a Glance

Incorporated in 1973, Midwest Transplant Network facilitates organ, eye and tissue donation in partnership with hospitals and other professional partners to give hope and share life. MTN’s service area is the state of Kansas and western two-thirds of Missouri, with its central office located in Westwood, Kansas, and satellite offices in Wichita, Kansas, and Columbia and Joplin, Missouri. MTN commemorated 50 years of service in 2023.

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Story: Dawn Romano

October 18, 2023/in

/by Midwest Transplant Network

Dawn Romano, LCSW, LSCSW, MTN Family Services Coordinator III, opened up about her breast reconstruction experience for Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day.

Dawn Romano, MTN staff member and breast cancer survivor

Dawn Romano is a clinical social worker who works in organ and tissue donation as a Family Services Coordinator for Midwest Transplant Network. In April 2008, Dawn’s life changed when she was diagnosed with an early stage of breast cancer. After undergoing a lumpectomy and 33 rounds of radiation, Dawn believed she was cancer-free and continued on with her life.

Things changed in the summer 2015 when Dawn felt a lump on her breast. Later, while getting a mammogram and biopsies, doctors confirmed that they had found two tumors. The cancer had returned, this time more aggressive. “Tears streamed from my eyes,” she recalled. “Reality had slapped me in the face.”

Through four grueling months of chemotherapy treatment, hair loss and discouragement, Dawn found strength from her faith, friends and family to continue working in organ and tissue donation. After undergoing a double mastectomy, Dawn and her surgeon discussed the possibility of breast reconstruction. “Thankfully, from my work at Midwest Transplant Network, I knew enough to ask my surgeon whether they would use any human tissue during my surgery. He told me yes,” she shared.

Thanks to the gift of skin from two donor heroes, Dawn finally began to heal. Her experience has also helped her develop a deeper appreciation of her work, especially donor families. “We often hear that tissue donation is life-enhancing, but for many of us, it has saved our lives in many ways,” Dawn shared. “This gift has made a huge impact on my life. To all donor families, please accept my deepest and most sincere thank you. You and your loved ones have made a difference in so many people’s lives. And for that, they will always be remembered by people like me.”

Story courtesy of MTF Biologics

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Story: Lisa Cummins

October 18, 2023/in

/by Midwest Transplant Network

In honor of Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, MTN Quality Assurance Coordinator II Lisa Cummins, ASQ-CQIA, spoke about her journey with breast reconstruction.

Lisa Cummins, MTN staff member and breast cancer survivor

For over 40 years, Lisa Cummins has worked in organ and tissue donation at Midwest Transplant Network. Her story begins in 2001, when she was first diagnosed with a rare type of cancer found in her uterus. Following a hysterectomy and five rounds of chemo, Lisa celebrated being cancer-free, but not for long.

“I had just hit my five-year mark when they found my first breast cancer,” she recalled. Diagnosed with an early stage of DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ, Lisa again underwent intense radiation treatment and another major surgery — this time using donated tissue. For the second time, Lisa believed she was cancer-free before receiving terrible news.

“At my five-year anniversary appointment — the golden mark where cancer patients can consider themselves true survivors — they found my second breast cancer,” she shared. Doctors confirmed that the cancer had returned in the same breast, this time more aggressive. Surgeons presented Lisa with the option of a mastectomy — a decision she would take one step further. “I decided that I did not want to go through it all over again, so I opted to have a double mastectomy,” she explained. Afterwards, Lisa underwent breast reconstruction, becoming a tissue recipient for the second time.

Today, Lisa celebrates being 11, 16 and 21 years cancer-free! Thanks to the gift from her donor, she returns to helping others in organ and tissue donation with a deeper appreciation for her life and work. She even uses her story at local hospitals, video conferences and live events to aid others through their breast cancer journeys and share the positive impact of donation. “There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of my donor families and am thankful for their selfless act of donation,” Lisa said, smiling. “I do not know who they are, so at every chance I get, I tell donor families ‘THANK YOU!’ Without their gift of life, I wouldn’t have been able to have reconstructive surgery. I can now say I am a survivor!”

Story courtesy of MTF Biologics

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