February Greetings to our 2008 Members,

  Oh, the weather outside is frightful, so here’s some TRIO news I hope you find delightful.  Okay, enough of the rhyming.  I hope this finds you healthy and staying inside where it’s nice and warm.  I have included a lot of good information in this month’s chapter news.  As for memberships, we have 33 TRIO Chapter Member Applications, of which 5 are new members for 2008.  Please see the information about the Celebration of Life Dinner.  Read about the TRIO International information regarding the scholarship program and annual conference.  American Liver Foundation has many activities planned for the coming year as well as an upcoming support group meeting on 2/27/08 with Dr. Chopra.  I’ve added a section regarding Family House activities.  Jo Anne Schwarz and I have a meeting scheduled with Family House representative in the next few weeks about the visitation program we are starting.  Please also take note the many support group meetings listed.  Don’t forget about the Team Pittsburgh meeting this Sunday, 2/3/08 at 12 noon. 

Okay, that’s all for now folks . . . ENJOY!!

 Kim Krebs
TRIO Pittsburgh Chapter Secretary

1-877-647-3439 (TRIO Office - Leave Message)
724-224-1249 (Home)
krebs@trio-pittsburgh.org
www.trio-pittsburgh.org

TRIO PITTSBURGH CHAPTER NEWS – FEBRUARY 2008

 TRIO PITTSBURGH CHAPTER – www.trio-pittsburgh.org

v   Office Location:  Falk Building, Room 601, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA  15213.

v   412-647-7461 or 1-877-647-3439.

v   TRIO 2008 Officers:  Kathy Jacobs - President; Patricia Boyer - Vice President; Rudy Molnar - Treasurer; Kim Krebs - Secretary.

v   TRIO 2008 Board Members:  In addition to the above officers, board members include:  Alex Boyer, Jim Beggs, Anna DiPilato, Jareen Flohr, Bridget Flynn, Lisa Hoff, Mary Alice King, Richard Koper, Bill Krebs, Paul Lignoski, Jan Seng, Don Sweiger, Georgene Thomas, Todd & Sharon Tomasic, Judy & Tom Wilson, and Shelley Zomak.

    v   TRIO 2008 Honorary Board Members include:  Dr. Kareem Abu-Elmagd, Dr. Barbara Carpenter, Dr. Robert Kormos, Dr. Amadeo Marcos, Dr. George Mazariegos, Dr. Kenneth McCurry, Dr. Dennis McNamara, Dr. Obaid Shakil Shaikh, Dr. Ron Shapiro, Dr. Thomas Starzl, Susan Stuart, Dr. Ngoc Thai, Dr. Kusum Tom, and Dr. Steven Webber.

v   TRIO Support Group Meetings for 2008:  2/17/08 – Wendy Donato Deis, RN, XDx Reimbursement Account Manager -  AlloMap - “Noninvasive Monitoring for Heart Transplant Recipients and Navigating the Insurance Maze”, 3/16/08 - Dr. Beth Piraino - “Life Plan for Kidney Disease”, 6/15/08, 9/21/08, 10/19/08, and 11/16/08 - Election of Officers.  No meetings in April (Celebration of Life Dinner), May (Special Place - CORE), July (Transplant Games), August (Picnic), and December (Holiday Party).

v   Free parking available for Sunday meetings.  Bring ticket with you for validation.

v   We have 17 Family & 16 Individual TRIO Pittsburgh Chapter Memberships = 33 Membership Applications.

v   If interested in purchasing a “Be An Organ Donor” magnet for $5.00, please see Rudy Molnar.

v   If interested in purchasing a TRIO pin for $5.00, please see Kim Krebs.

v   TRIO website has a calendar listing of meetings & events.  Go to www.trio-pittsburgh.org and click on Calendar.

v   TRIO Members without email addresses, please call the TRIO Office (1-877-647-3439) to find information about upcoming Support Group Meetings.

 

CELEBRATION OF LIFE DINNER HONORING TEAM PITTSBURGH

v   Celebration of Life Dinner will be held on Monday, April 14^th beginning at 6 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association (PAA) same place as last year.  This year we will be honoring Team Pittsburgh.  Our host will be Rocky Blier, Pittsburgh Steeler, Four-time Super Bowl Champion and Motivational Speaker.  As in past years, we will be having our Silent and/or Chinese Auction.  Additional information about this event will be coming your way soon. 

v   Celebration of Life Dinner Committee Meeting will be held on 2/4/08 @ 7 PM in the UPMC Presbyterian Cafeteria.  The following meetings will be held at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children @ 7 PM on 2/18/08, 3/3/08, 3/17/08 & 3/31/08.  Interested individuals who would like to help with this event are welcome.  Please contact Nancy Moulton @ 412-257-1624 or email nancytm@aol.com

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO OUR TRIO MEMBERS

v   February Anniversaries:  Jim Beggs - 2/1/1990 (Liver - 18 Years); Alex Boyer - 2/11/1994 (Liver - 14 Years); Mary Alice King - 2/17/2003 (Liver - 5 Years); Rudy Molnar - 2/25/2005 (Heart  - 3 Years); Stephanie Page - 2/8/1996 (Kidney/Pancreas  - 12 Years); Jean Peterson - 2/8/1992 (Liver - 16 Years); and Herbert Wolstoncroft - 2/17/2005 (Kidney  - 3 Years)

 

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

v   Jeffrey Blattner (Liver Recipient), Lisa Hoff (Director, Heart Transplant/VAD Program at AGH and TRIO Board Member), Bill Mangan (Heart Recipient) & Family, Debra Ann & Jordan (Kidney Recipient) Schmeider, and John (Candidate for Kidney Transplant) & Cindy (Potential Living Donor) Wozniak & Family.

 

TRIO INTERNATIONAL – www.trioweb.org

v   We have 9 Family & 6 Individual TRIO International Memberships = 15 Membership Applications.

v   Please visit TRIO International’s new website which has been updated @ www.trioweb.org.

v   TRIO International 2008 Scholarship Application is now available.  Go to www.trioweb.org and in the Communications section, click on TRIO Scholarships to download the application.  If you don’t have access to the internet, please call the TRIO Office @ 1-877-647-3439 and leave a message asking for an application.  Application deadline is 6/30/08. 

v   ITNS-TRIO Annual Convention will be held 9/25-27/2008 at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, MO.  Visit www.trioweb.org for more details.

 

AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION - WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER - www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/westernpa/

v   Free Hepatitis B Screening - Friday, 2/15/08 - 12 PM - CMU University Center, Rangos 2.  Contact Suzanna Masartis @ 412-434-7044 for more information.

v   ALF Support Group - Wednesday, 2/27/08 - 6 PM to 8 PM - UPMC Scaife Conference Center, Room 1103. 

Dr. Kapil Chopra will speak on the topic of liver transplantation:  What to do & What’s new.  Question & Answer Session to Follow.  RSVP & Questions to Kara Hartner @ 412-434-7077 or email Khartner@liverfoundation.org

v   Walk Kick-off Rally - Wednesday, 3/26/08 - 6 PM - Hard Rock Café.  Contact Kara Hartner @ 412-434-7077 for more information.

v   2^nd Annual Flavors of Greensburg - Sunday, 4/13/08 - Mountain View Inn - Contact Suzanna Masartis @ 412-434-7044 for more information

v   5^th Annual Three Rivers Liver Walk - Sunday, 5/18/08 - 8 AM - Southside Heritage Trail - 18^th Street.  Contact Kara Hartner @ 412-434-7077 for more information.

v   Flavors of Arte - Friday, 5/30/08 - 6 PM - Bella Arte Gallery.  Contact Suzanna Masartis @ 412-434-7044 for more information.

v   Tribute to Excellence - Friday, 6/20/08 - 11:30 AM - The Duquesne Club.  Contact Suzanna Masartis @ 412-434-7044 for more information.

v   1^st Annual Golf Outing - Friday, 8/22/08 - 11 AM - Longue Vue Club.  Contact Kara Hartner @ 412-434-7077 for more information.

 

FAMILY HOUSE – www.familyhouse.org

v   Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association Charity Gala - Friday, 4/18/08.  David L. Lawrence Convention Center.  Call 412-647-7656 for more information on ticket purchase.  Join Family House for an evening filled with music, dancing, entertainment and of course CARS! The 2008 Charity Gala again will be lighting up the David L Lawrence Convention Center. Proceeds benefit Family House. Black tie is required.

v   Family House Polotini - Friday, 6/6/08.  SAKS Fifth Avenue.  Call 412-647-7656 for more information on ticket purchase.  Chairs Laura Kronk and Carrie Conboy are hostesses for the 6th Annual Family House Polotini.  Join them for an entertaining evening with a fashion show presented by SAKS.  It is a great kick off for their upcoming 25th Anniversary Polo Match.  Food and drinks by local bars and restaurants. Proceeds benefit Family House.

v   25^th Annual Family House Polo presented by National City - Saturday, 9/6/08.  Hartwood Acres.  Call 412-647-POLO for ticket purchase.  Gorgeous Hartwood Acres will continue the tradition of this much anticipated Pittsburgh event with gates opening at 11 a.m. Chair Bonnie Bagay, along with a fabulous committee of 50+ volunteers, are gearing up for a fantastic celebration.

 

GREATER PITTSBURGH PBC (PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS) SUPPORT GROUP

v   Second Tuesday of each month (weather permitting) - 2/12/08 - 12 Noon - Panera Bread - VIP Room - Waterworks Mall.  Please RSVP to Ellen Kerber @ 724-863-3126 or email kerber@kerbers.com if you plan to attend the meeting, as sometimes meetings are cancelled.  You may also contact Carol Foglia @ 412-371-7436 or email csfoglia60@yahoo.com for more information.

 

NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF THE ALLEGHENIES (NKFALL) KIDNEY SUPPORT GROUPS

v   NKFALL Pittsburgh West (Formerly Imperial Support Group) - Sunday, 2/10/08 - 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM, King’s Family Restaurant, Route 30, Imperial, PA.  For more information, contact Rich Koper @ 412-787-3987 or rjkoper@verizon.net

v   NKFALL Pittsburgh East - Sunday, 2/24/08 - 1 PM - 3 PM, Panera Bread, 400 Penn Center Blvd., Wilkins Twp., PA.  For more information, contact Robb Wilson @ 412-823-5630 or robbw81@yahoo.com

 

TEAM PITTSBURGH – www.teampittsburgh.org

v   Team Pittsburgh Meeting - Sunday, 2/3/08 - 12 PM - UPMC Scaife Conference Center, Room 1105.

v   2008 U.S. Transplant Games will be in Pittsburgh.  If interested in joining Team Pittsburgh, please email Shelley Zomak @ zomak@comcast.net or call the NKF @ 1-800-261-4115.

v   If you know someone interested in volunteering at the NKF 2008 U.S. Transplant Games - July 11-16, 2008, please have them visit http://www.kidney.org/news/tgames/support/volunteer.cfm and complete the forms. 

v   Still Cookin’ cookbooks are now available @ $20.00 per book.  Contact any Team Pittsburgh member or email Shelley Zomak@ zomak@comcast.net

  <>UPMC E-CARDS

v   Go to:  http://ecards.upmc.com   Choose a category - Select a design - Get Well, New Baby, Birthday & Holidays.  Fill in the blanks and send it electronically.  This includes the UPMC facilities - Bedford, Horizon, Montefiore, Passavant, Presbyterian, Shadyside, and St. Margaret.