The International Diabetes Federation folks have included a shot of 1101 in their new 30-page booklet promoting the World Diabetes Day 2008 campaign. The booklet is available to download as a pdf file in English, French, and Spanish. Click on the image above to download the version of your choice.
Our friend and teammate Mike “Skid” Aquino needs a kidney transplant. He is currently in the hospital due to kidney failure, likely a complication of his diabetes. If you have Type O blood, please consider being a live donor.
Currently, the wait time for a donor is 3-6 years, depending on blood type. Until a compatible donor is found, Skid will need to undergo dialysis three times a week.
This from the UCSF website: “Most kidneys for transplant are from people who have died and whose families give permission for organ donation. However, there are not enough of these organs for everyone who needs one. Nationally, more than 70,000 patients are on the kidney transplant waiting list, and more are added each year. Because of the organ shortage, living donor kidney transplants are an important option. They’re possible because we’re born with two kidneys. When surgeons remove one of the donor’s kidneys, the remaining kidney grows slightly to compensate for the loss of the other and the kidney can function normally.”
Who pays for expenses?
Expenses, including the required testing to see if you are a good match, will be paid by Skid’s insurance.
What is it like to donate a kidney?
Another member of our team donated a kidney to a friend. If you have questions about what the experience is like, we’ll put you in touch with Seth.
You can also help by putting the word out. We’ll post updates here. Contact us with questions at info@desertdingo.com
I shot this from where we were set up in Watsonville Plaza as part of the diabetes health fair.
Updated: Robert is fine. He called this morning. His house is surrounded by strawberry fields. He helped a neighbor evacuate and the two of them had fire on both sides when they were leaving the house.
Richard and I took 1101 to Watsonville yesterday to take part in a diabetes health fair put on by the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust at the farmer’s market in downtown Watsonville. We talked with a lot of great people, gave away loads of crayons and hero cards (and donated the rest to the Diabetes Health Center) and ate some great food.
On the way over, I skirted the edge of the Trabing Fire, set intentionally or unintentionally by some motorist on Highway 1. The fire blew smoke over Watsonville and dropped ash in the plaza. I’ll be calling Robert with 1110, who I spoke with briefly and who said the fire was near his place. We’re hoping for the best.
Here’s a shot of one of the many kids who spent time in the car.
We’re taking 1101 to Watsonville tomorrow to be part of a diabetes health fair sponsored by the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust. We’ll have some of the World Diabetes Day crayons to give out and hero cards, naturally.
The Diabetes Fair will be part of the Watsonville farmer’s market on the plaza in downtown. We’ll be on site from 3-7 p.m. If you’re in the area, drop by and say “howdy”.