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3rd Annual Transplant Patient Reunion FairAvera Transplant Institute's Patient Fair_September 7, 2007

The annual Avera Transplant Institute's Patient Reunion Fair was held under a big top tent on Saturday, September 8th, 2007 on the Avera McKennan campus in Sioux Falls.

Patients and their families enjoyed a morning session that included a transplant recipient/donor panel (Patty Brady, Mardelle Johnson, Dean Johnson, and Amber Howardson), physician panel (Drs. Michael Aaronson and Stephen Medlin), and speaker, Lyndsey Aspaas, from the Patient Advocacy office of the National Marrow Donor Program.

Inpatient and outpatient nursing, diabetes education, DaVita dialysis, bone marrow transplant program, and fitness and nutrition staff were on hand to share the latest information on transplant and to visit with old friends. Games, prizes and lunch rounded out the celebration.

Watch next spring for a "virtual" on-line transplant seminar!

"Messages From You"

"For the first time in 36 years, I feel alive again. The Transplant Team really is caring for life." Patty Brady

"I owe my life to Avera! I am forever grateful." Amber J. Howardson

"I am so thankful-very grateful-to have this transplant facility in South Dakota. Its allowed my family and friends to be able to come and see me often. That helped to heal me too. The Dr's. and nurses in Oncology are top-notch." Renee Kinney

"Since I got the transplant I feel so much better…And want to thank the doctors and nurses for the care they gave me." Kelly Kreinbuhl

Keith Meyerhoff"What a blessing to be so close to such a top notch team and facility." Keith Meyerhoff

"Once I received my kidney, I thought everything would be 100%. This was in my own mind. But after attending the Fair and listening to the doctors and other patients, I now know different. I am slowly getting back to a healthier life, and know now that it really will be a slow progress. I can not thank the doctors and others enough." Barbara Peterson

"I am the husband of Barbara who received her kidney in April. Like her I thought all would be a life of ease, no dialysis and such. Little did I know that my work had just started. I found out what a care-taker really was. But as her health gets better, so does my job as care-taker. Thanks to The Fair."

"We really enjoyed the Transplant Fair for a lot of different things." Diane K. Rumpca

"I noticed after my transplant surgery that I was feeling better the second day after the surgery. I can do things with my friends, family, and have a normal life again." Tracy Rumpca

"I learned a lot and had fun. Now I know I'm not the only one - there are a lot of us that need help. Good to visit with people that have the same problems…especially enjoyed the ones that shared their stories. Thank you." JoAnn Santema

"Thank you! I learned a lot about what my wife has to go through." Mike Santema

"How wonderful it is that our Creator God, in His great wisdom, continues to provide knowledge, skills, resources and caregiving natures necessary for transplant professional to amazingly impact the lives of recipients, donors, and families! Praise to Him!!" Loralie Wiese

"I think the doctors and nurses at the hospital love me. I thank them for all they've done for me. Give them a hand." Christopher Wilfahrt

Panel Participants, Words for ReflectionTransplant fair panel

"The transplant team puts your fears to rest."

"….they are just like family."

"….they are with you every step of the way."

"I was told since I was 4 years old, 'there will never be a cure (for diabetes).' So, when you're told there is a cure…" (Pancreas transplant recipient)