Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM Summer 2018 | Page 25

Tissue Donation Saves Children’s Lives at Shriners Hospital For Children - Galveston By: Jennifer Anderson [email protected] Shriners Hospital For Children - Galveston Every year, an estimated 250,000 children sustain burns from fires, electrical accidents, chemicals and most commonly, scalds from hot liquids. Many of these burns are severe enough to require skin grafts, and in the majority of cases treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Galveston, these grafts are literally life-saving. That is why Shriners Galveston Hospital continues to operate its own Tissue Bank; processing and using approximately 750 square feet of skin annually to provide the children they treat with many life-saving benefits. Such skin grafts, donated by organ and tissue donors post mortem, help to reduce pain, fluid and energy loss, and protect the child’s wounds from serious infection immediately after sustaining severe, life-threatening burns. They also help to conserve use of the patient’s own skin for more permanent grafts that along with other interventions will help the child heal and grow with less appearance of scarring over time. Each donor can provide approximately 3-5 square feet of skin; making the need for Shriners to receive tissue from 200 - 300 donors per year just to meet the needs of their patients. Unlike vital organs, tissue can be collected up to 24 hours from the time of death, and skin has no age limit on its usability. How to Donate Stephen Williamson, Manager of the SHC Tissue Banks says, “The best way to become an organ or tissue donor is to let your loved ones know your wishes”. This is vitally important, because consent from your next of kin will be required to ensure your donation request is carried-out. In doing so, you can ensure them that donation will never interfere with funeral arrangements, nor cost the family anything. Tissue donation doesn’t prohibit an open-casket viewing, and costs for tissue donation are fully-covered by the tissue recovery agency. You may also take steps to become an organ and or tissue donor by registering online at www.donatelife.net. Simply choose your state of residence and complete the online form. 2018 ATHENA Award Recipient - Amanda Fenwick The 2018 recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award of the Bay Area is Amanda Fenwick.  Amanda works for San Jacinto College and is also the Mayor Pro Tem for Clear Lake Shores. "Athena-Goddess of Wisdom" - Women's ways of leading have become the gold standard for great leaders and the building blocks for success in today's global economy.  It was five years ago that the Chamber Board and President approached the Athena organization in the hope that the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce could be the area leader in this program.  The Athena Leadership program serves individuals in up to a 90 mile radius from League City for this honorable program, so no other Chamber or organization can host this event.  Athena award programs have participated in more than 500 American cities and six foreign countries.   The Athena Program honors females in leadership roles that make th em effective, admirable and successful leaders and they have also contributed to the development and empowerment of women.  These individuals have strong values that emulate the eight principles of Athena: Live authentically, Learn constantly, Advocate fiercely, Act courageously, Foster collaboration, Build relationships, Give back, Celebrate   24 MOMENTUM / Summer 2018