 |
| Shining Star, Bev Cherwinski, lung recipient. |
Lung recipient, Bev Cherwinski,
receives the Shining Star Award
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land recognized long time volunteer and lung recipient Bev Cherwinski at Alpena Regional Medical Center with a Shining Star award for establishing the gift of life rosebush planting ceremony honoring donors, their families and recipients.
Land created the Shining Star award to recognize those whose exceptional efforts encourage greater organ donor awareness.
Cherwinski organized the first rosebush-planting ceremony in Gaylord five years ago.
Click here to read the full press release.
 |
| Shining Star, Rich Pietoski, tissue recipient |
Pressing for Tissue Donation:
The Rich Pietroski Story
This is a pressing story in more ways than one. On his 49th birthday in July, 2005, Rich Pietroski bench pressed 240 pounds, 20 times. Yet this athletic accomplishment would not have been possible without the gift of donated human tissue used to repair Rich's right shoulder.
"On March 26, 2004 I had a donor tendon put in my right shoulder. I want others to ask me all about my transplant," said Rich. "Because someday they might need a tissue transplant, too."
Read more about Rich Pietroski
Recipient Chef on TV!
Oliver Hale, aka "Chef O", is a 50 year old kidney transplant recipient in Grand Rapids, having received his transplant 21 years ago. He is also an award-winning professional chef, specializing in gourmet French cuisine. He has a regular live TV show in Grand Rapids, cooking with all sorts of Michigan celebrity guests. Chef O has also won 24 medals at the Transplant Olympic Games, including 14 gold medals in tennis, track & field and fencing. This past April, he received the SHINNING STAR A WARD from Sec. of State Terri Lynn Land for excellence in promoting organ and tissue donation in his community.
A personal note from the chef himself:
Fans,
I would like to take this time to thank each and everyone of you for all of your support of "CHEF O'S PLACE."I have really enjoyed doing the show and we have had lots and lots of fun. That is why on Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, in Louisville, KY, I am going to receive the 2005 PHILO T. FARNSWORTH VIDEO AWARD for BEST LIVE TV PROGRAM and 2nd place award for INSTRUCTIONAL TV PROGRAM. This could not come at a better time with launching of our new TV show, COOKIN IN THE O-ZONE that is going to be aired something in late 2006. I hope to get in touch with all of you when I get back from Louisville, and after I get my head out of the clouds.
Thanks,
Chef O
Chef Oliver Hale
As you can see, Chef O's personal celebrity is spreading far outside his hometown of Grand Rapids, and you'll soon be able to watch him cooking up a storm on your local station!
Congrats to Chef O, and thank you to everyone who helps enable transplant recipients to return to full, happy, productive lives in our communities.
Team Michigan: 2005 World
Transplant Games
Five members from Team Michigan became members of Team USA in the World Transplant Games that were held in London, Ontario this past July.
Here are the results:
Terry Gould: 7 Gold Medals, Swimming
T.J. Maciak: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze, Bowling 6th Place, Cricket Ball Throw
Mary Catherine Siers: Silver, Golf
Teresa Snyder: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, Bowling
Carol Woodbridge: 4th Place, Swimming
Congratulations to all who participated and represented the USA so well
