Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
2003 Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
In honor and memory of Mary Ann Dingman
Visit the daily photo gallery of the 2003 tour
and the archives of past LSCOL Tours!
Share Your Comments with the Bike Tour: [email protected]
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
The Need
Mission Statement
To raise the awareness of the need for life-saving donations of blood, marrow, organs and tissues.
Blood
Blood is a vital, life-saving liquid with a limited shelf life, so the supply must be constantly replenished.
More than 20 million units of blood components are transferred to about four million patients each year.
About one out of every 20 Texans will need blood at some point in their lives. However, less than 5% of
the eligible population in Texas donates blood. Supply and demand fluctuate which can cause lifethreatening shortages!
Marrow
Each year, 30,000 patients are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease that could be cured with a
marrow transplant — if a match is found. Approximately 70% of the patients in need of a transplant rely
on the National Marrow Donor Program to locate a volunteer, unrelated marrow donor.
Finding a marrow donor match is a difficult process and nearly half of those in need will not find a
match in time.
Organs and Tissues
Transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine. It is often the
only hope for thousands of people suffering from organ failure or in desperate need of a life enhancing
or life saving tissue. As of July 2003, the United Network for Organ Sharing reports that more than
82,000 Americans await organs while hundreds of thousands more could benefit from tissue transplants.
Each day, an average of 17 people die while waiting for an organ.
Organs than can be transplanted include heart, liver, lungs, kidney, pancreas and small bowel. Tissues
used in transplant include bone, skin, heart valves, corneas, veins, cartilage and tendons.
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
The Event
This Fall, a very special event will be held that will undoubtedly result in many Texans' lives
being changed. Through a cooperative effort of Texas' donor centers, a bike tour, called the
"Lone Star Circle of Life" will be held September 22nd–28th, to raise the awareness of the
need for life-saving donations of blood, marrow, organs and tissues.
Non-professional riders will be chosen for the tour. Each has a personal reason for wanting
to participate in this unique event. Most have had their lives touched by blood, marrow, organ
or tissue transplantation either as a donor, a recipient or a family member of a donor or patient
in need. Each day of the tour, the participants will ride in honor of a Texan in need of a
transplant. Local areas will choose their honorees.
The tour will begin in Galveston and ends in Tyler. Local events in each town or city are
planned to give the community a chance to participate in blood donation, register for the
National Marrow Donor Program and sign an organ and tissue donation card. Recipients,
donors and donor families will also be on hand to share their experiences and answer
questions.
Many organizations, companies and businesses are helping by offering sponsorships to
underwrite the cost of the tour, as well as much-needed funds to help with tissue typing
expenses.
Communities throughout the route are encouraged to take this opportunity to learn more
about life-saving donations and support their neighbors searching for a life-saving gift.
Did you Know...
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One out of every 20 Texans will need blood at some point of their lives.
Each year, over 30,000 new patients are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease that
may be cured with a marrow transplant.
It takes eight whole blood donations to provide the effective dose of one apheresis blood
donation.
Each day, an average of seven people die while waiting for an organ.
There are over 77 organs and tissues that can be transplanted.
Each year 20 million blood components are transfused.
Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Bike Tour Route
September 21:
Grand Kick Off - Galveston/Houston
Day One
September 22:
Leave: Galveston/Houston
Arrive: La Grange
115 mi
7 hrs
Day Two
September 23:
Leave: La Grange
Arrive: San Antonio
120 mi
8 hrs
Day Three
September 24:
Leave: San Antonio
Arrive: Austin
110 mi
8 hrs
Day Four
September 25:
Leave: Austin
Arrive: College Station
100 mi
8 hrs
Day Five
September 26:
Leave: College Station
Arrive: Waco
85 mi
6 hrs
Day Six
September 27:
Leave: Waco
Arrive: Dallas-Fort Worth
97 mi
7 hrs
Day Seven
September 28:
Leave: Dallas-Fort Worth
Arrive: Tyler
88 mi
7 hrs
Total Miles:
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715 mi
Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
The Honorees
2003 Title Honoree - Mary Ann Dingman
The 2003 Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour is celebrating its sixth
consecutive year with this year’s tour being held in honor of and in
memory of Mary Ann Dingman. In June 2002, Mary Ann’s parents
learned their daughter was fatally injured in a single-car accident.
Earlier in her life, Mary Ann had signed a living will and a directive to
donate her organs. Susan and Alex Dingman honored their daughter’s
wishes to be an organ donor. Mary Ann’s organs, as well as tissues,
were sent to many grateful recipients, many who have contacted the
Dingmans to thank them for Mary Ann’s life-saving gifts.
Mary Ann Dingman loved life and was full of life.
The Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 semesters would have been her senior year at The University of Texas in Austin.
She was an International Business Major at the Red McCombs School of Business. A scholarship has
been established in Mary Ann’s honor at the McCombs School, the Mary Ann Dingman Memorial
Endowed Scholarship, which holds the record for the fastest growing memorial scholarship to date.
The 2003 Lone Star Circle of Life is honored to have Mary Ann Dingman as our title honoree this year.
Her love of life and those around her is obvious in the gifts she has so lovingly given to others.
Memories and Special Tributes to Mary Ann Dingman
Special Memorial to Mary Ann
April 29, 2003, would have been Mary Ann's 22nd birthday. That morning, her friends gathered around
the Main Mall on the University of Texas campus to celebrate her life and participate in a flag
ceremony.
The flag flew at half-mast all day in honor and rememberance of Mary
Ann, who completed her junior year at the University of Texas Red
McCombs School of Business. A reception, complete with birthday cake,
was held in the alumni office following the ceremony.
Local Event Honorees
Honorees for each bike tour are chosen locally from people in the area that have either been
donors, recipients or otherwise contributed to the field of donation though blood, marrow or
organ/tissue donation. Their stories are shared on the website and each rider will tell about
their honoree at the local event in that area.
To read about the 2003 local honorees, please click on the event site below:
Honorees for Houston/Galveston
Honorees for La Grange
Honorees for San Antonio
Honorees for Austin
Honorees for College Station
Honorees for Waco
Honorees for Dallas/Fort Worth
Honorees for Tyler
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Local Events
Event Information
Each day of the tour, the team rides into a different Texas town or city. A
special event is held in each of these sites to promote the awareness of the
need for life-saving donations of blood, marrow or blood stem cells,
tissues and organs. These events will also highlight those honored that
day. Each daily event is organized by the local marrow donor program,
blood center, tissue bank, organ provider organization and a multitude of
community volunteers.
For information on how you or your organization can help with the event in your area, please contact the
event coordinator listed on each page.
Local Event Sites
Houston/Galveston
La Grange
San Antonio
Austin
College Station
Waco
Dallas/Fort Worth
Tyler
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Houston/Galveston
Local Event
Sunday, September 21, 2003
Kickoff Reception
The sixth annual Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour kickoff reception will be held at the Moody
Gardens hotel in Galveston on Sunday, September 21, at 4:00 p.m. In addition to introducing the tour
cycling team for the first time, the parents of tour honoree Mary Ann Dingman will be welcomed, along
with the recipient of Mary Ann's heart, Mr. John Gaines. An outdoor program will ensue with an
informal dinner reception with a tropical, luau theme. Dr. Jeffrey Chell, CEO of the National Marrow
Donor Program, will be the featured speaker.
Day1: Monday, September 22, 2003
Galveston to La Grange
After a breakfast reception, The 2003 Lone Star Circle of Life bike team will depart from the Moody
Gardens hotel at 10:00 a.m. for La Grange. They will be accompanied by John Gaines, the heart
recipient of the Title Honoree Mary Ann Dingman, and Marsha Cohen, R.N., B.S.N., from the
Methodist Hospital Transplant Center in Houston.
Day Riders
John Gaines - A retired driver for Yellow Freight Lines, John is the recipient of Mary Ann Dingman's
heart. He is joining the riders for the first day of the ride to raise awareness of the need for donors. John
says "It just boggles my mind when I think how far medical science has progressed in regards to organ
transplants. Organ donation is the ultimate expression of love for your fellow man and indeed the very
best memorial that one can give. Organ donation speaks volumes about one's self."
Marsha Cohen, R.N., B.S.N. - Marsha Cohen is a bone marrow/stem cell transplant coordinator
at the Methodist Hospital in Houston. She works with patients who need transplants and also
as a screener for unrelated donors, so she gets to experience both sides of the story. She
says, “I see the unselfishness of the donors and the hope given to the recipients. Organ
donation is a gift like no other. I also love to ride. This is an opportunity to do what I love and
bring awareness to a great cause.”
Event Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Mary Helmreich
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center
1400 La Concha Lane
Houston, Texas 77054
Phone: 713-791-6697
Honorees
Mary Ann Dingman - Mary Ann Dingman was a senior at the
University of Texas in Austin when she was in a fatal automobile
accident. Mary Ann became an organ and tissue donor, giving the
gift of life to many others in need.
John Gaines - John is the heart recipient of our 2003 Tour
Honoree Mary Ann Dingman. He is 60 years old, married to
Linda Gaines, and has a son, a daughter, daughter-in-law
and two granddaughters. About five years ago, John was
diagnosed with a heart murmur. He later suffered a massive
heart attack and received a life-saving device called A.I.C.D.
Two months later, John was again rushed to the hospital
when the A.I.C.D. alarm went off and continued to do so
seventeen more times during the ride in. He was later
diagnosed as having congestive heart failure, and even
needed his gall bladder removed due to his enlarged heart
pressing upon it.
In March 2002, John’s name was placed on the donor list for
heart transplant. Due to his blood type, it was estimated that
John would wait approximately two years for a heart, but only
100 days later, in June 2002, he received Mary Ann
Dingman’s heart. Although there were other candidates
awaiting this one donor’s heart, John qualified because of his
blood type and weight. 60-year-old John Gaines and 22-yearold Mary Ann Dingman were a match.
In his first letter to Susan and Alex Dingman, Mary Ann’s
parents, John writes, “I am living a much fuller life and will
always strive to bring honor to the memory of your loved one
as long as God grants me breath…The gift of life has made
my life full and my cup runs over.”
Carlos Rodriguez - Carlos has been a very good friend to the
Marrow Donor Program in Houston. He attends local special
events and helps promote awareness for the great need for
minority donors on the National Marrow Donor Program Registry.
Carlos decided to become a marrow donor when he registered in
1997. An employee of the United States Postal Services, he
decided to register at a Post Office Blood Drive when he saw a
poster of a child that was in need of a marrow transplant. Only six
months later, Carlos came up as a match.
Carlos and his wife, Jeannine
Carlos was very excited to receive this call. He was not clear on
what it entailed, but he knew he had to do whatever he could to
save this person’s life. Carlos’ wife, Jeannine, was thrilled that her
husband was a match. She considered it a blessing and an
opportunity presented to help someone in need. The marrow
transplant was a success, and two years later Carlos was
introduced to his recipient, Drew Gushwa, in front of a crowd of
more than 2,000 people in San Diego, California. It was very
emotional for all.
Carlos remained in contact with his Drew and in November 2002,
Carlos received a haunting phone call. Drew was in ICU. He had
relapsed with leukemia and was in the last stages of the disease.
Unbeknownst to Carlos, about half of his previous marrow
donation had not been used and was stored for the then 17-yearold patient. The remaining marrow was used to save the now 23year-old man’s life for the second time.
Drew is now doing well, enjoying his life with his family and
girlfriend, as well as finishing his college degree in computer
science. He plays golf whenever possible and is going through
therapy to strengthen his body after a long stay in the hospital.
Charlie Sauer - Charlie is a frequent and dedicated blood donor
who is getting very close to the 50-gallon mark – that’s 400 blood
donations! Charlie participates in Gulf Coast Regional Blood
Center’s Serial Donor Program, a program that allows donors to
give plasma and platelets more frequently under the careful
supervision of Blood Center personnel.
Charlie first became involved in the regional blood program in
December 1994, when he learned that a friend and co-worker
needed blood transfusions for cancer treatment. He organized a
blood drive at his workplace, STP Nuclear Operating Co., and the
drive was so successful that from that point onward he was given
charge of all company blood drives. Charlie’s first effort generated
76 units of blood, despite his company having held a blood drive
the week prior that had yielded 50 donations. His best drives have
collected as much as 250 units per drive. In 1994 Charlie’s drives
contributed 324 units of blood, with 126 units coming from two
drives alone in December. This motivated Charlie to work even
harder among his coworkers to emphasize the need for blood
donations and to raise their awareness of the opportunity that
they had to conveniently donate blood at work.
Before becoming involved himself, Charlie was not even aware of
his company’s blood drives. Now, he is confident that, “you would
not find one employee who did not know the when and why we
are having a blood drive.”
In addition to blood drives, Charlie has helped the Marrow Donor
Program of the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center by organizing
marrow donor drives to acquire potential donors for the marrow
donor registry. One of Charlie’s greatest desires is to come up as
a match for a patient needing a bone marrow transplant.
Charlie’s hobbies include off-road biking and motorcycling. When
asked why he remains a frequent blood donor, Charlie replied,
“For a selfish reason, I guess. It makes me feel good about
myself.” That is one reason that is both “selfish” and “selfless.”
Kudos to Charlie
Elliott Lapin - In 2001 at the age of 7, Elliott Lapin was
diagnosed with Adrenoleukodystrophy (“ALD”) also known as
the “Lorenzo’s Oil disease.” This is a genetic disease with
which his older brother, Oliver (age nine), had also been
diagnosed.
Although Oliver’s disease was too far advanced to allow for
treatment, Elliott was asymptomatic at the time of his
diagnosis and therefore was a candidate for a stem cell
transplant, the only known treatment for this disease. As fate
would have it, the youngest brother, five-year-old Alec,
matched Oliver but not Elliott, so Elliott’s parents launched a
search for an unrelated marrow donor. The Lapin family held
a donor drive in November of 2001 at their synagogue. This
was the largest single-day drive the Houston Marrow Donor
Program had ever organized with a record 1137 donors
registering. Although a match was not found for Elliott,
several potential matches did come out of this incredible
drive. The Lapin Drive also generated $7,207 in donations for
testing and typing, as well as additional gift of generosity
from the Lapin Family for an annual special event, Roll The
Dice For Life.
In early spring of 2002, Elliott’s parents decided to proceed
forward with a stem cell transplant for Elliott, using an
unrelated umbilical cord unit obtained through the New York
Blood Bank. Elliott’s transplant was successful in halting the
disease and he and his family are now looking forward to his
return to school for 4th grade in August of 2003.
Ian and his sister, Erin
Ian O’Brien - On August 6, 1992, 13-year-old Ian O’Brien
was riding his bicycle home after having dinner with his
mother, Vivian, and friends. They had spent the day at the
YMCA. Ian, who loved to ride his bike, was on his way home
to put the trash out for the night, but in his mother’s words,
“he never did come home.” Home was The Woodlands
where he had recently moved with his mother and 11-yearold sister, Erin. His mom remembers passing him in the car,
his long hair flying in the wind and a look of sheer joy on
Ian’s face. It was about 8:25 p.m. when a woman driving a
Ford Bronco collided with Ian, pitching him onto the vehicle,
and then sending him skidding and bouncing off of the
pavement. “Life-flight” carried Ian to Herman Hospital where
he was treated for six days until his death. Ian’s leg was
broken in two places and he had some scrapes and bruises,
but for the most part, recalls his mother, “Ian looked so
healthy.”
While Ian was being taken to the Hospital, his mother was
wondering where her mischievous son was! It was after 10:00 p.
m. and still he had not made it home on his bicycle. Having no
luck tracing him down through friends, Vivian finally called the
police. She was asked to describe Ian, his clothing, and his
bicycle. Since Ian had been in his swimsuit, he did not have his
YMCA ID with him. He had been a “John Doe” until identified by
his mother. The police told her he had been in an accident and
was in serious condition. Vivian called a friend who took her to
Herman Hospital.
Vivian loved the way the physicians and healthcare professionals
took care of Ian, “like he was going to live,” setting his fractures
and performing plastic surgery for his eyebrow. Still, Ian remained
on life-support the whole time. Ian’s family, his father, stepbrothers
and stepsisters, and his friends from school all came to visit him at
the hospital. Although Ian looked comfortable and perfectly
healthy, he never regained consciousness. Ian was pronounced
dead on August 12, 1992.
His friends were invited to help select his marker. A skateboard
and bicycle were engraved on a black diamond-shaped marker to
represent his love of skateboarding and biking, along with the
words from his friends, “Go with God, Ian, we will live your life
and dreams for you.”
That month, Ian would have entered eighth grade at Knox Junior
High School and was seriously in love for the first time in his life!
His mother recalls he nearly jumped for joy and told her, “Mom,
I’m in love!”
Did Ian want to be an organ donor? Earlier that summer, returning
with his mother and sister on a road trip, Ian and his mother
discussed life and death issues while his sister slept. Ian
understood the benefits of organ donation to the recipients. His
mother described Ian as a very considerate type of person who
would not hesitate to help. And so when asked, Vivian O’Brien
said, “Yes, of course.”
A local 15-year-old boy received Ian’s heart, and numerous local
recipients received from Ian what they were waiting for and
needing to live. Ian’s sister Erin, now 22, shared a special bond
and many special memories with her brother, including the songs
from the Doors’ album, Waiting for the Sun, which they listened to
over and over again on that June road trip 11 years ago.
Dr. George Carrum - Dr. Carrum is the Director of the National
Marrow Donor Program Collection Program at The Methodist
Hospital Transplant Center. Dr. Carrum is well-known for his
enthusiasm for the program and for his ability to be readily
available to donor patients as the need arises.
Kyle Bullard - Kyle was a PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell)
donor. In his words:
For as long as I can remember, I knew I was going to be a
bone marrow donor. You know that feeling you get when you
hear about something and just know that it is you? I first
learned of bone marrow transplants when I was about 10
years old, when the only way to perform them was to drill a
hole into the bone and extract the marrow.
Fast-forward 20 years to April 2002 and the annual
Communications Workers of America, Local Union 6222,
blood drive. The lady in charge of signing up bone marrow
donors arrived back from lunch just as I was leaving. I
overhead her ask a coworker if she would like to register to
be a bone marrow donor. I asked her why she did not ask me
and she said she would have to stick me again and didn’t
think I would want to. I told her I was interested, she gave me
a form to sign and drew a small tube of blood.
In August I received a call from the Gulf Coast Marrow Donor
Program telling me I was a possible match for a woman with
Leukemia who needed a bone marrow transplant. I knew it
was no coincidence that it had only taken four months for me
to receive the call that so many had waited years to get. This
was meant to happen.
In the days just before the actual procedure I was given a
series of injections to stimulate my stem cell growth. The
collection procedure consisted of two, four-hour sessions at
the Eileen Murphree McMillan Blood Donor Center in the
Methodist Hospital. The doctors and nurses were beyond
wonderful - they went out of their way to make me
comfortable and kept thanking me for doing this.
One week after the collections I received a phone call from
the marrow program making sure I was doing well. Around
one month later, I received another call from the Gulf Coast
Marrow Donor Program asking me if I would come in and
give a booster collection for my recipient. Seems the first
transplant worked, but not as good as hoped.
I was kept informed of my recipient’s condition over the next
few months, and she seemed to be getting better. A few
months later, I got a call asking for a third and final collection.
I have to be honest, I was a little hesitant but agreed to do
it. It was set up for the day before my 31st birthday. Sadly, a
little bit later, I received a call informing me that my recipient
had passed away. I have received a Thank-You card from
her family which I had framed and that is proudly displayed
on my wall at home.
Some of my close family members and friends to this day do
not understand why I would put myself through all of this for
someone that I didn’t even know. My response to them was
"Why not, why shouldn’t I help if I am able? What if it was
your grandmother, brother, or child, would you still feel that
way?" They had no response. I did get a great amount of
support from places I would have never expected. I have
been called a hero and a very special person, but in reality I
am just a regular guy.
If asked to donate bone marrow again, I would have to say
yes and encourage everyone that I speak to about it, to sing
out and ‘step up to the plate.’ It has definitely been a life
changing experience.
Hero
I Do Not Consider Myself A Hero
I’m Just An Average Joe
I Have No Special Powers
I Can Not Leap Tall Towers
I Do Not Consider Myself A Hero
I Cannot Stop The Waters That Flow
I Cannot Predict The Future
I Do Not Have A Miracle Cure
I Do Not Consider Myself A Hero
Why Anyone Would I Do Not Know
I’m Not The First To Do What I Did
Give A Part Of Me So Someone Could Live
I Do Not Consider Myself A Hero
I’ve Been Told Real Heroes
Never Do
Victoria Villanueva -In January 2002, five year old Victoria
Villanueva was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. She had
been having flu-like symptoms on and off since Thanksgiving
2001, but by mid-January the symptoms would not go away
and her mother Patsy noticed she has some “really bad
bruises.” Tori’s parents rushed her to their local Emergency
Room and it was recommended that her family take her to
Texas Children’s Hospital.
After tests, they learned that little Tori had a rare form of
leukemia. Tori began five rounds of chemotherapy as her
Victoria, lower left, with her family only treatment option. After about a month, her parents
learned that sometimes a bone marrow transplant was
possible, so all family members were tested,
including brother Ryan age 13, sister Alyssa age 11,
and brother Anthony age three. No one matched Tori.
A preliminary search was made on the National Marrow
Donor Registry for an unrelated donor match. Her dad,
Jesse, was familiar with the Registry because he had signed
up to be on the Registry thinking someday a family member
may be in need.
Five potential donors came up as a match. Tori went into
remission and continued with treatment through midOctober. It was in February 2003 that tests showed some
activity in Tori’s marrow. A "wait and see" approach was
deemed best and every month for the next few months,
Tori’s bone marrow was checked. The percentages grew and
the transplant option was again discussed. Patsy was not
ready for Tori to undergo the lethal doses of treatment
required to prepare the body for transplant. She asked if it
would be safe to wait and see a little longer. It was, and to
everyone’s surprise, since May 2003, Tori’s marrow has
returned to normal!
Tori is one of the featured blood recipients of the Gulf Coast
Regional Blood Center 2003 Children’s Calendar for the
month of June. Treatment of her leukemia required
numerous platelet and red cell transfusions. Both her parents
and her uncle matched her B positive blood type, but
because her family can only donate once every eight weeks,
volunteer blood donors were still needed for Tori.
Today, like any other child, Tori is full of activity and plans. If and
when Tori needs life-saving blood or a bone marrow search, it will
be there for her!
Vanessa Vina - 22-year-old Vanessa Vina is awaiting a bone
marrow transplant due to recurrence of ALL Leukemia in
February.
Vanessa was first diagnosed with ALL in April 2000 shortly
after her arrival in Austin from Venezuela in January 2000.
Vanessa was a very long way from home to be so critically ill.
When Vanessa first came to Austin in January 2000, one of
the two persons she knew was Mary Ann Dingman, from
their senior year together in high school in Venezuela. When
they reconnected in Austin, they were together almost daily
for lunch. In Vanessa’s own words, “….Then I really got sick,
and that’s when our friendship really grew. She was with me
daily. She was there holding my hand and hugging me when
I was in pain. She would ask doctors questions and help the
nurses in taking my temperature. If she could not be there
she made sure someone was. She was an angel during that
time in my life.”
Another angel in Vanessa’s life is her brother Michael.
Michael not only is the perfect match for his sister’s
upcoming bone marrow transplant, but he also came and
spent four months with her during her first year of treatment.
It was during this time that Michael told Vanessa that their
mother was fighting cancer for the second time in her life. It
was one month after her mother started treatment that
Vanessa herself was diagnosed with leukemia. Her mother
came and visited her when she could between treatments.
What an incredible story for both mother and daughter to be
receiving treatment for cancer at the same time!
With her parents Miguel and Veile Vina, and her brother
Michael, Vanessa eagerly awaits transplant that is soon to be
scheduled at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She looks
forward to completing her degree in nursing. Vanessa chose
nursing based on her initial diagnosis and treatment at
Breckenridge Hospital in Austin.
Ron McMurry - Ron has been a regular blood donor since
1974 and has donated over nine gallons of blood through the
St Luke’s Program. He has also donated blood or platelets
for friends or co-workers as the need arises.
Ron has been in the Marrow Donor Program Registry since
approximately 1990. He was contacted by the Marrow Donor
Program office in 1997 as a potential donor for a five-yearold girl who lived outside the United States. Three years after
the match was first identified, Ron received word that the
little girl needed his marrow if he was still interested in being
a donor.
Ron said he "was delighted to have this very special
opportunity." Things moved quickly at this point. Leslie Crook
with the Marrow Donor Program as well as Dr. Carrum
with Methodist Hospital and his staff "really gave me the VIP
treatment, ensuring that my health and well-being were not
compromised and that my wife and I felt completely informed
and comfortable as we proceeded through each step."
"I had virtually no discomfort following the marrow harvest,"
said Ron, "and would feel honored to donate again, should
the opportunity arise."
Local Sponsors
Friends of Mary Ann
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
La Grange
Local Event
Day 1: Monday, September 22, 2003
Galveston to La Grange
The Lone Star Circle of Life team will leave Galveston at 10:00 a.m. and arrive in La Grange at
approximately 3:30 p.m. They will proceed to Fayette Memorial Hospital where a reception will be held
for the riders.
Event Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Yvonne Ybarra
South Texas Blood and Tissue Center
6211 Interstate 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78201
Phone: 210-731-5513
Day Riders
Marsha Cohen, R.N., B.S.N. - Marsha Cohen is a bone marrow/stem cell transplant coordinator
at the Methodist Hospital in Houston. She works with patients who need transplants and also
as a screener for unrelated donors, so she gets to experience both sides of the story. She
says, “I see the unselfishness of the donors and the hope given to the recipients. Organ
donation is a gift like no other. I also love to ride. This is an opportunity to do what I love and
bring awareness to a great cause.”
Individuals interested in being a day rider into La Grange should contact the local event coordinator.
Honorees
Mary Ann Dingman - Mary Ann Dingman was a senior at the University of
Texas in Austin when she was in a fatal automobile accident. Mary Ann
became an organ and tissue donor, giving the gift of life to many others in
need.
Herb Cade - Herb received a life-saving heart transplant in December 2000 at
Seton Transplant Center in Austin, Texas. His heart came from Wichita,
Kansas. Herb is now in good condition and enjoying life. His wife, Sherry, is a
nurse for a physician for La Fayette Memorial in La Grange, Texas.
Plato Spawn Jr- Plato received a kidney from his brother, Marcos, in
December 2001. The following month, he received a pancreas from a donor.
Despite the fact that Plato is a diabetic and now blind from complications, he is
well and resides in Huntsville, Texas. He is happy to have been blessed with
two life-saving gifts!
Local Sponsors
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
San Antonio
Local Event
Day 2: Tuesday, September 23, 2003
La Grange to San Antonio
The Lone Star Circle of Life team will leave La Grange at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in San Antonio at
approximately 2:30 p.m. The riders will go to Saturn of San Antonio, 15687 Interstate 35 North, where
there will be a special reception.
During the event, stem cell recipient Kyle Vargas, 1½, and his family will
travel to San Antonio to meet the stem cell donor that saved his life for the
first time.
San Antonio and the Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour welcomes Olympic
medallist snowboarder and liver transplant recipient Chris Klug! Chris is
the national spokesperson for Saturn National Donor Day and will be riding
into San Antonio with the Lone Star Circle of Life team on Tuesday.
Event Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Yvonne Ybarra
South Texas Blood and Tissue Center
6211 Interstate 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78201
Phone: 210-731-5513
Day Riders
Chris Klug - barely 18 months after receiving a life-saving liver
transplant, Chris Klug became the first organ recipient athlete in
Olympic history. "My goal is to inspire hope among the 80,000 patients
on the Transplant Waiting List. It is a very scary place to be."
To read more about Chris, visit the Saturn National Donor Day website
at http://www.saturnuaw.com/filecabinet/Satfile/national/htm or
Chris' site at http://www.chrisklug.com/transplant.htm
Steve Brown – Steve is riding in support of team member Bonnie
Lundy. He is her coach and trainer. “I am inspired by her story and her
value of life. I support the purpose of the tour fully.”
Honorees
Gilbert Lopez - PBSC (Stem Cell) Donor - Gilbert Lopez registered with
the National Marrow Donor Program in 1992. Five years later, he was a
second stage and in 2000 a third stage potential match but he was not the
best candidate for those patients. In May 2002, Gilbert was once again
found to be a potential match for a four-month-old boy. Gilbert agreed to
further testing. The results showed he was the best candidate for the little
boy! On July 24, 2002, Gilbert donated stem cells in hopes that his little
recipient would survive.
Kyle Vargas - PBSC (Stem Cell) Transplant Recipient - Kyle Vargas of
Chicago, Illinois was born with mucolopidosis. His mother, while
pregnant, had an amniocentesis because her daughter also had the same
illness. Kyle was diagnosed while still in his mother’s womb. Since Kyle’s
brother was not a match, a search for an unrelated donor through the
National Marrow Donor Program began. At only six months of age, a
donor was found and Kyle received his life-saving stem cell transplant. He
is now 19 months old and is doing very well!
Jim Wilson - Liver and Kidney Transplant and Blood Recipient- Jim
Wilson of the Saturn of San Antonio family has been a regular blood donor
and great supporter of Saturn National Donor Day and the Lone Star Circle
of Life Bike Tour. He has helped organize many events that were all
greatly successful.
In 2001, Jim was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and was
in need of a liver transplant. He was on the list for almost a year when on
February 1, 2003 Jim received his first liver transplant. Unfortunately, the
transplant failed in between surgeries. Jim needed to apply for another
transplant. On June 12, 2003, Jim received his second liver transplant as
well as a kidney transplant.
Although the recovery is a long process, Jim remains positive. His motto
matches his blood type --- “B Positive!” From the beginning, Jim saw his
situation not as a problem, but as an opportunity to receive life. He is
admired by many people, especially his Saturn family!
William Poff - 60-Gallon Platelet Donor - William Poff has been a
dedicated and reliable platelet donor for many years. When first asked as to
why he became a donor, Mr. Poff will state that it all began when he was
asked by a co-worker to donate for a friend that was scheduled for an
upcoming surgery. He will also throw in that getting half the day off from
work didn’t hurt either! That may have been one reason for donating, but
that wasn’t the sole motivation that kept bringing him back. In his youth,
Mr. Poff had a few run-ins with the law. This made him analyze his life
and change his priorities. His decision was to not be a problem but to give
something back to the community. Sixty gallons later, he is still fulfilling
his promise.
Bob Sisson - Blood Transfusion Recipient - Bob Sisson is an 87-year-old
gentleman that has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. Mr.
Sisson’s illness requires him to receive blood transfusions approximately
every two weeks. Despite his condition, he is always pleasant and teases
with the nursing staff. His friendly personality brings smiles to other
patients.
Lynn Schmidt - Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient - Lynn Schmidt
received a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor through the
National Marrow Donor Program on April 9, 2003. She was first
diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome that later evolved into acute
myelogenous leukemia. Throughout her ordeal she kept a positive attitude.
Four months after her transplant she is still strong and doing very well.
Lynn has truly been an inspiration to all those around her!
Jessica Wellisch - Tissue Donor - Jessica Wellisch had the intelligence,
compassion and leadership to become a success. She was president of her
sophomore class at Antonian High, an outstanding student and athlete.
Then at age 15, Jessica was tragically killed in an automobile accident
along with a fellow student and the mother who was driving them. Their
deaths had a profound impact on the community. Despite the grief, pain,
and loss, Jessica's death has changed life for countless others.
From her death, Project Jessica was born - an altruistic memorial to a
young woman who continues to give to her community even after her
death in October 1997. She always implored others to give blood and
become organ and tissue donors, a passion she shared through her awardwinning oratory work with Optimist Clubs.
After the accident, she and the others injured required blood transfusions.
The community rallied to give blood in memory of Jessica, collecting
3,026 units in 41 blood drives during the first year of Project Jessica.
Today, Project Jessica continues as an annual blood drive on Jessica’s
birthday in April. Her family agreed to donate her tissue so that others
could experience renewed life and health. Disappointed that she was not a
viable organ donor, her mother reflects, “They didn’t get her heart but they
sure got her heart.” .
Nifratririe “Niffy” Acevedo - Stem Cell Transplant Recipient/Patient Nifratririe Acevedo, age eight, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins
lymphoma in March 2002. She received a blood stem cell transplant from
her brother, Fidel Jr., in August of that year, but unfortunately she relapsed
in April 2003. She is currently receiving chemotherapy to control her
illness. Despite all she’s been through, Nifratririe is cheerful and full of
life!
Thomas Guerrero - Brain Cancer Patient - Thomas Guerrero, age 5, was
diagnosed with medulloblastoma (brain cancer) on July 21, 2003. He is
now receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He doesn’t like how
it makes him feel but a few days after treatment he feels like a “new kid”.
Unfortunately, Thomas is too sick to ride a bike but that is his favorite
thing to do. Thomas loves bikes!!
Ida De Los Santos - Victoria Community Advocate - Ida De Los Santos is
a strong hardworking woman who is dedicated to her family and to the
Lord. She has volunteered with the Boy Scouts and became her grandson’s
Den Leader.
When her son was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia, she put on her
armor of education and became proactive, realizing the need for minorities
for the National Marrow Donor Program. She helped organize blood/
marrow drives, educational booths at community events, gave speeches to
local service clubs, advised pervious donors to get back into the donor
program and help educate the community. She went around the city of
Victoria handing out NMDP pamphlets/fliers and was often “run off”
parking lots by store managers. Still, Ida remained highly motivated and
would talk to anyone who would listen.
A donor was found for her son and the marrow transplant will soon take
place, but for Ida the work continues. She feels committed to the program
to help other minority patients who need bone marrow/stem cell
transplants. Her effort has increased the number of registered donors in the
Victoria community. Since she began her crusade over a year ago, two
donors have matched and donated for patients. There is a good friend on
our side increasing the chances that someone will have a cure and a quality
life.
Joe E. Prado - Leukemia Patient/Platelet Recipient - From the beginning,
she knew that her son was special, strong and stubborn. He was a typical
boy with many mishaps and injuries, but never cried. He’d dust himself off
and keep going. His mom now knows that his little traits would prepare
him for the most difficult battles in his life.
At age 18, and hungry for adventure, Joey left home and moved to Florida
and then to Colorado. In Colorado, he was the happiest he’d ever been. He
was loving life but started having trouble with his eyesight. In October
2001, Joe went to see a doctor and found he needed to have surgery to try
to save his left eye. On December 21, Joe went in to the hospital to have
blood work done to prepare him for his surgery in January (after the
Christmas holidays.) Within minutes of leaving the hospital, he received a
call from his doctor to return. After a few more blood tests, they found Joe
had chronic myeloid leukemia (CML.) He began treatment, and after few
months, returned to Texas with his family. He continued to have trouble
with his eyesight and was diagnosed with macular degeneration of the
eyes. Soon after he lost his eyesight. Later, a blood clot in his leg revealed
he also had diabetes.
Almost a year later, Joe began chemotherapy at M.D. Anderson Hospital
and the search for a bone marrow donor began. In March 2003, a donor
was found but since his illness is under control the transplant has been
postponed for now. Joe remains positive most of the time and tells jokes to
ease his family and friends. All those around him admire his courage.
Travis Martin - Heart Transplant Recipient - Travis Martin is a healthy,
active 10-year-old boy. He plays baseball, basketball, soccer and is a black
belt in TaeKwonDo. He is remarkable in almost every way a child could
be, sensitive to others, a good student, a responsible and helpful son. What
makes his life even more extraordinary is the fact that he is a heart
transplant recipient.
When Travis was just 5 months old, he received the gift of a heart, and
what a gift it has been! In March, Travis will celebrate 11 years with his
new heart and plans to observe countless anniversaries.
Haleigh Stephens-Arellano - Liver Transplant Recipient - Haleigh
Stevens-Arellano was blessed with the gift of life when she received a liver
transplant eleven years ago. She is now in sixth grade and attends
Eisenhower Middle School. Haleigh is an honor student who likes going to
school. She is in good health and enjoys basketball, cheerleading, soccer
and swimming. She also loves to spend time with her family and friends.
If Haleigh is not at school, you can find her at church or the mall.
Connie Harris - Organ Donor- Connie Harris was a kind, caring and
loving mother of two, a daughter and son. She had three siblings and was
her niece’s and nephew’s favorite aunt. Her parents were very proud of
Connie, who grew up to be a wonderful and hardworking woman. Her
mother, Eileen says, “Connie was perfect to me.”
Connie was a giving person who always wanted to do something for others
and loved her children dearly. She was very sensitive and cried at movies,
especially her favorite “Steel Magnolias.” Connie always had a smile on
her face. She was strong, yet kind-hearted, trusting, Christian woman.
Connie was healthy, exercised and ate right. Unfortunately, in May 2002,
at age 46, Connie suffered a stroke and passed away. Her family knew
donating her heart, lungs, liver and kidneys was what she wanted so they
fulfilled her wish to let her live in others that needed another chance at life.
The family has heard from two of the grateful recipients, which has
brought them some comfort.
Local Sponsors
Joe's Crab Shack
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Austin
Local Event
Day 3: Wednesday, September 24, 2003
San Antonio to Austin
The Lone Star Circle of Life team will leave San Antonio at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in Austin at
approximately 3:00 p.m. The tour will proceed to the Hampton Inn in Round Rock, 110 Dell Way,
where a reception will be held for the riders and honorees.
Event Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Yvonne Ybarra
South Texas Blood and Tissue Center
6211 Interstate 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78201
Phone: 210-731-5513
Day Riders
Dorothy Starr - Dorothy is an organ recovery coordinator and will ride from San Antonio to Austin and
College Station to honor her donor families.
Steve Brown – Steve is riding in support of team member Bonnie Lundy. He is her coach and
trainer. “I am inspired by her story and her value of life. I support the purpose of the tour fully.”
Honorees
Mary Ann Dingman - Mary Ann Dingman was a
senior at the University of Texas in Austin when she
was in a fatal automobile accident. Mary Ann became
an organ and tissue donor, giving the gift of life to
many others in need.
Curtis Maginel – Mr. Maginel donated peripheral
blood stem cells in early 2003. He was able to make this
commitment while working full-time and attending
graduate school in the evenings. Mr. Maginel is a
husband and a father as well.
Westwood High School Health Occupational
Students of America (HOSA) – The Westwood HOSA
club is one of the winners of the 2003 Circle of Life
Champions program. This program is a life-saving
competition between high schools in the service area of
the Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas. The high
school competitors host blood drives for eligible
students during the school year. Over 2,100 units of
blood were collected in 39 drives held at 25 area high
schools. Awards were presented to two high schools –
Westwood and Burnet High Schools.
The first trophy goes to the school that collected the
greatest number of units – the Westwood Warriors.
These students hosted four blood drives to edge out the
competition by collecting 242 units of blood. That’s
over 11% of the total number of units collected at all the
high schools. Although most schools hosted two drives
during the year, Westwood hosted four blood drives and
were able to beat out schools with much larger student
populations. The students and faculty advisor really
worked hard to make their blood drive program
successful this year!
Sara Petty – Sara donated peripheral blood stem cells
for her recipient several months ago. She was able to
make this commitment while working full-time,
attending school in the evenings and being a mother to
her one year-old son, Riley. Sara is truly an amazing
person!
Sherman Lemuel Bradshaw – Mr. Bradshaw
received a heart transplant four years ago. He is a
wonderful volunteer, an awesome speaker and
always willing to help out in any way.
Floyd Rutledge – William “Floyd” Rutledge has
donated nine gallons of platelets and whole blood.
Floyd started donating with the Blood & Tissue
Center of Central Texas in 1997 after his son, Billy,
was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, Billy’s
battle with cancer was not won.
Floyd continues to be a very devoted donor. When
he donates, the whole apheresis room comes
alive. He likes to laugh and joke throughout his twohour donation. We at the blood center truly
appreciate donors like Floyd. Not only do these
donors make our jobs worthwhile and fun, but they
also are also very committed to saving lives. On
behalf of all the patients, we thank you!
John Taylor – John is a devoted donor, having
given about 18 gallons of platelets and whole
blood.
In 1998, John was diagnosed with lung cancer. He
has now been in remission for five years. The
minute he was eligible to donate again, he was
right back at the blood center. Not only is John a
donor, but his family is very dedicated donors as
well. His wife, Sue, has donated 20 gallons of
platelets and whole blood. Both of John’s
daughters, Shannon and Allison, are donors as
well. Shannon has donated almost ten gallons and
Allison almost nine gallons of platelets and whole
blood.
Michael R. Adelman – Mike Adelman was murdered
in Austin on October 11, 2000. His heart was donated
to a man from Kilgore, Texas, and his liver, kidneys
and pancreas were also donated. Three other persons
received these gifts and are all well and healthy after
their transplants.
Logan Musslewhite – Logan is an inspiration to those
who know him. So many times his condition was the
worst case scenario, and now he is an amazing fighter.
We are proud to be a part of the Circle of Life because
it is an honor to have Logan give thanks for the gift of
life in his new heart. We love the opportunity to share
our miracle with others.
Steele Zinser - Steele was diagnosed with chronic
myelogenous leukemia in 1993. His doctor in San
Antonio immediately began treatment and
recommended a bone marrow transplant. His brother,
John, was tested and found to be a good match!
Steele received bone marrow from John in 1994.
Throughout his recovery, Steele stayed active and
positive. During his ordeal he met many patients who
were not so lucky to have a family member match. He
was determined to help make a difference for those
patients.
Just one year after his transplant, Steele along with his
good friends, coordinated a Bone Marrow Benefit Golf
Tournament in Round Rock-Austin, Texas. Now into
it's ninth year, the tournament continues with the same
"drive" and passion. It's purpose is to raise HLA typing
funds for non-minority donors onto the National
Marrow Donor Program. To date the tournament has
raised over $60,000 and registered over 1,100 donors.
Steele's dedication to helping others in need of marrow
transplants is to be commended!
Round Rock Noon SERTOMA (Service To Mankind)
- Service to mankind. The name speaks for itself for this
wonderful organization. The Round Rock Noon
SERTOMA for eight years straight has held a Bone
Marrow Benefit Golf Tournament. The tournament is to
raise HLA typing funds for non-minority donors for the
National Marrow Donor Program. The tournament is
headed up by Steele Zinser, bone marrow transplant
survivor; Ron Haygood, who lost his son to leukemia;
and Dr Kent Macaulay, whose father-in-law lost a battle
to leukemia.Many other passionate members will join
them on the links. This year's golf tournament is
scheduled for Friday, October 3. To the patients in
need, the Round Rock, Noon SERTOMA are good
friends to have! Their hardwork and dedication is
greatly appreciated by the community and the National
Marrow Donor Program.
Johnny Yanez – Johnny Yanez graduated from
Lockhart High School in 1988. Shortly after graduation,
he became ill. He had to undergo dialysis for a year and
a half, then at 21 years old, received a kidney transplant.
Both of his sisters have also had kidney transplants
shortly after high school.
Johnny was able to live for 12 years with his new
kidney, but then the kidney failed. He underwent
peritoneal dialysis for a while, but developed infections
and later heart problems. Johnny passed away a little
over a month prior to the Lone Star Circle of Life Bike
Tour.
Johnny’s sister, Crystal, has become an advocate for
organ donation in honor of her brother, Johnny.
Jon Goodfleisch – Jon is liver recipient number 2025 at
Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He had his
transplant in March of 2003.
Jon works for Dell Computer Corportation and his
cousin, Peggy Fink, is a team member of the 2003 Lone
Star Circle of Life Bike Tour. Peggy remembers Jon as
a baby always laughing and talking so much they called
him “J G Chatterbox.” Jon’s wife, Annette Kobus, is a
regular blood donor and registered with the National
Marrow Donor Program.
Jon, right, with his transplant surgeon, Dr. Edmund Sanchez
Local Sponsors
Joe's Crab Shack
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
College Station
Local Event
Day 4: September 25, 2003
Austin to College Station
The Lone Star Circle of Life team will leave Austin at 7:30 a.m. for College Station. They will arrive
in College Station at approximately 3:30 p.m.and proceed to the George Bush Presidential Library and
Museum, 1000 George Bush Drive West. A reception will be held for the riders where they will be
introduced. At that time, each rider will introduce the honoree they rode for that day.
Event Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Debbie Mabry
Scott & White Marrow Donor Program
2401 South 31st street
Temple, TX 76508
Phone:254-724-7000
Day Riders
The Lone Star Circle of Life team will be escorted into College Station by area cyclists.
Dorothy Starr - Dorothy is an organ recovery coordinator and will ride from San Antonio to Austin and
College Station to honor her donor families.
Individuals interested in being a day rider into College Station should contact the local event coordinator.
Honorees
Mary Ann Turner – In May of 1996, Mary Ann Turner decided to join the
National Marrow Donor Program Registry. Little did she realize that six
years to the day later, she would actually donate marrow stem cells to a
man needing a transplant.
Being a pediatric nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan, Mary Ann was
aware of how important donors are to patients needing a marrow transplant,
and how difficult it could be to find another individual in the world with the
exact same tissue type.
After her experience as a donor, she has been a real advocate of the
Marrow Donor Program. Her recipient continues to do well.
Jimmy Schroeder – Jimmy had a kidney transplant in February of this
year. “I am very involved with my only daughter. She’s a sophomore this
year and very involved in sports. It’s great to be able to really enjoy her
games this year. To be able to do the things I used to do again is
unbelievable. I am one LUCKY person. Thanks!”
Donald Farris – Donald had a liver transplant in July of 1993 and a kidney
transplant in February of 2003. He says, “I am so thankful for my organ
donors. If not for them, I would not be here today. It is great to be alive,
enjoying life and my family.
Josh Haverland - At the end of his freshman year at Texas A&M
University, Josh was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive cancer of
the bone. After 10 weeks of chemotherapy, he had the tumor removed. One
month later, while receiving chemotherapy, he developed a life-threatening
infection of his colon and was in the ICU in critical condition for 6 weeks.
During the course of his disease, Josh was the recipient of multiple blood
transfusions. His chemotherapy ended in April 2002 and he has been
disease-free since that time.
Josh is now back at Texas A&M and a marketing major. He is also back to
enjoying sports, especially soccer and handball. Josh has been a lifeguard
for 6 years and pool manager and lifeguard instructor for the College
Station pools.
During the past few years, Josh has submitted numerous designs to Designs
of Hope, A Children’s Project that have been included in their annual
catalog. This summer, Josh and his fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, collected
over 150 stuffed toys and donated them to the pediatric patients at Scott &
White as a service project. He has served as a camp counselor at Camp
Dreamcatchers for two summers and is a model for other patients as well as
a super individual!
Donna Horne – Donna is being honored because she is one of those very
special individuals – a regular blood donor. She had given consistently
since 1998 – about 1 gallon of blood. Donna says she donates because “it is
just a good thing to do.”
Brenda Jarvis – Brenda has been the coordinator for the blood drives at
Scott & White in College Station for over 2 years. She is unable to be a
donor herself, but realizes the importance of blood donations. She says, “I
have known many people that have needed blood and also realize that
blood has a short shelf-life. It is so important to give blood - too important
to ignore it.”
Originally from Pasadena, Brenda has been in the administration office at
Scott & White for the past 4 years.
Ralph Segars – Ralph is a recipient of a kidney transplant in 2002,
following kidney failure due to diabetes. He is originally from Georgia and
spent four years in the Air Force. He met his future wife in Waco while in
the service, and they later moved to College Station where they have lived
since 1965.
Ralph was in the pizza business for many years, with pizza stores
throughout Texas and one in Louisiana. His stores were the first to offer
pizza delivery in College Station and to Texas A&M.
Jesse Bernal – Jesse is a 14-year-old freshman at Bryan High School. Last
November, he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. Since that
time, Jesse has used many units of blood to help fight the effects of the
leukemia.
Originally from Conroe, Jesse and his family have lived in Bryan for the
past eight years. Jesse likes BMX biking, including bike tricks, football and
skateboarding.
Bernado Mireles – Bernado has been a regular blood donor for the last six
years. He has given a total of 25 donations, or three gallons of blood!
Bernado is in the security department at the Scott & White College Station
Clinic.
Michael Trampota – Michael was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia on January 24, 1997, when he was 3½ years old. He underwent
over two years of chemotherapy and is still cancer-free. Because he was
very anemic, Michael had several blood transfusions during the first month
of his treatment at Scott & White in Temple.
Michael is now 10 years old. He attends South Knoll elementary School in
College Station and is in the fourth grade. He loves sports and has
participated in Challenger basketball and baseball. Michael and his family
are grateful to Dr. Lawrence Frankel and the staff at Scott & White for
saving his life. We are also very grateful to those unselfish people who
donated the blood projects that helped save his life.
Garrett Hysmith – Garrett is a seven-year survivor from a brain tumor
called a brain stem glioma. He was diagnosed at four years of age and
underwent radiation and surgery to battle his tumor. In anticipation of
Garrett needing blood transfusions during his surgeries, his family
coordinated several blood drives in his behalf.
Garrett is now in the 6th grade at Oakwood Middle School in College
Station. He is a soccer player and loves skateboarding. He also plays the
tuba.
Kristen Reed - Kristin Reed was 21 years old when she was diagnosed
with Aplastic T-Cell Lymphoma. Her physicians determined that she
needed a stem cell transplant and she began searching the National Marrow
Donor Program Registry for a match.
Kristin’s family and friends rallied. Numerous drives were held in Kristin’s
hometown of Caldwell and at Blinn College in Bryan where Kristin had
been in the nursing program. Almost 400 volunteers came to support
Kristen and others needing a matched donor by joining the registry.
Unfortunately, Kristen lost her battle with cancer, but her message for the
need for donors to join the registry continues.
Local Sponsors
The Lone Star Circle of Life would like to thank the following for their support for the local event:
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Waco
Local Event
Day 5: September 26, 2003
College Station to Waco
The Lone Star Circle of Life team will leave College Station at 7:30 a.m. for Waco. They will arrive at
the Waco Convention Center at approximately 3:30 p.m. A reception will be held for the riders where
they will be introduced. At that time, each rider will introduce the honoree they rode for that day.
Information about blood, tissue and organ donation will be available on-site as well as a drive for the
National Marrow Donor Program Registry from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The team will join the Waco Wild West Century riders at 7:00 p.m.for dinner at the Waco Convention
Center. The following morning, the team will leave from the Waco Wild West Century bike tour staging
area at 7:30 a.m. and ride to Dallas/Fort Worth.
Event Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Debbie Mabry
Scott & White Marrow Donor Program
2401 South 31st Street
Temple, TX 76508
Phone: 254-724-7000
Day Riders
Saundra and John Karnes have been avid supporters of the Lone Star Circle of Life bike tour
since its second year. Saundra has a brother and several friends that have been recipients of
organs and tissues as well as donors. She has been a member of the LSCOL team in 1999,
2000, 2001 and 2002.
Honorees
Shelli Penland - Shelli is a regular blood and platelet donor who
registered as a potential marrow donor during a National Donor
Day event at Saturn of Waco. Shortly after registering, she was
identified as a match for a person needing a stem cell transplant.
Since her donation, Shelli has been an advocate of the National Marrow
Donor Program and looks forward to helping promote National Donor
Day at upcoming events in the Waco area.
Keith Kattner - Keith died May 23, 2000, at the age of 43. He was on
the treadmill for a stress test at a hospital in Waco when he had a heart
attack. When it came time for the decision to donate tissue, there was
no second-guessing my decision. Our family had discussed this very
thing after dinner one night and we all stated our wishes.
Keith was a very giving person. While alive he was always giving of
his time, money and friendship. I think this was very evident when over
700 people came to his funeral. He even gave after his death when he
donated tissue through The Blood and Tissue Center. Now maybe his
memory can still give by making people more knowledgeable of their
opportunity to donate. I was not aware until Keith died that they could
use other things than just viable organs, but I know now that several
people have benefited from Keith’s donations.
Cindy Kattner, Keith’s wife
Jeanie Johnson – Jeanie is the principal at Robinson Elementary
School and a graduate of Robinson High School. She attended both
Baylor University and Texas Tech University. In 1990, she was
diagnosed with polycythemia vera. Her disease was getting
progressively worse and a bone marrow biopsy last October showed
imminent progression to acute myeloid leukemia. Scott & White
referred Jeanie to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas for a
stem cell transplant.
Fortunately, three of her six siblings matched her tissue type and she
had a transplant on January 6th of this year. She is now doing great!
By going through a transplant personally, Jeanie says she now
understands the process and realizes the importance of getting as many
people as possible on the registry. She wants to encourage all of her
family and friends to add their names to the registry of those willing to
give someone in need a second chance.
Brian Morris – Brian was a wonderful husband, father and son. He put
his family at the top of his list and is greatly missed by his family and
friends. Since his death, the Morris family has grown. Both daughters
are high school tennis coaches, married with one set of twin grandsons
and a granddaughter on the way. Life definitely goes on here on Earth
and in heaven. He would be so proud of his girls and their
accomplishments.
We know as a family how proud Brian would be knowing so many
lives were touched by the giving of his tissue. Until Brian died, I had
no idea how such a gift could be so precious. We all were so blessed
having Brian in our lives, and now others have been blessed with the
gift of organs and tissue. Knowing a part of Brian lives on through
others gives us the strength to go on with our lives.
Arnell Morris, Brian's wife
Ryan Lee Webster – 7/28/86 – 3/14/98. Ryan passed away five years
ago at the young age of eleven. He was a very outgoing young man
who loved meeting new people, playing baseball and football and
making angels out of any material he could find.
Two weeks before Ryan passed away, he was watching an Oprah
Winfrey show and a family was meeting the recipients of their son’s
organs. When the show was over my brother approached my mother in
the kitchen and told her that if something happened to him, he wanted
to do what that family did. My mother asked him, “Well, what if
something happens to me first?” Ryan then said he would do the same
for my mother and they sealed it with a pinky swear.
Two weeks later, my brother passed away suddenly of a brain
aneurysm. My parents without a doubt knew Ryan’s wishes and they
donated his organs. Now, because of Ryan, seven people are living.
You can find out more information about Ryan at www.brookewebster.
com
Brooke Webster, Ryan’s sister
Steven Wayne Clemons – Steven was a beloved son, brother, dad and
Grandpa. He had served in the U.S. Army, worked hard and loved his
“Harley.” Steve had a very loving heart, especially for older people and
kids. He never met a stranger and disliked injustice or prejudice.
When he was fatally injured in a car accident so suddenly, I wanted
something good to come out of such a tragedy. Donation of Steve’s
organs gave others a gift of life and made us proud.
Barbara Murphee, Steve’s wife
Kathleen Schwartz – Kathleen is being honored because she has been
a regular blood donor for almost 37 years. Kathleen is from Waco and
is active board member of the Waco Wild West.
Chris Pledger - On January 9, 1999, my son was eclipsed. Yes. My
son, not my sun. To be honest, the sun shone brightly early that
morning as my husband and I sat riveted to our chairs in a surreal world
consisting of chairs, a small table, and the doctors who had so
devotedly cared for our son, Chris, over the previous week as he lay in
ICU, suspended between this world and the next. That buffer week was
a gift from God, a time to prepare for what was to come.
Chris was barely eighteen, a senior in high school, with the future
before him as bright as that morning’s sun. A motor vehicle accident
one week earlier had resulted in a head injury that was not to be
overcome, but with the balance of his body in perfect condition. God’s
provision of friends and family sustained us through the week. And
now it appeared that time was up. The doctors had done all they could
do.
As we were told the heretofore unspeakable reality, memories of an
episode three years prior were providentially brought to mind. At age
15, after watching a required film in driver’s education class, Chris was
moved to proclaim to us that he wanted to be an organ donor, and
furthermore, he felt spurned that one had to be eighteen in order to
make such a decision a legal one. That brief soliloquy had been long
since shoved back into the corner of our minds, but was now revived as
a duet.
No sooner than the words were out of the doctor's mouth than my
husband courageously and selflessly shared that if Chris was “not going
to make it, then he would like to help somebody else.” My husband
shared that we had a friend in need of a heart transplant, and the
doctors cautioned that one cannot designate to whom organs are
donated, and that the odds of Chris’s heart being a tissue match would
be remote anyway.
We were immediately counseled regarding organ and tissue donation in
a very kind and supportive way. The people at Hillcrest could not have
been more compassionate and accommodating of the scores of teenage
friends and others who felt the need to say a last goodbye. By day’s
end, the arrangements were complete, and so, finally, was sweet
Chris’s life.
Praise God for the fact that He can take even the most horrific of
circumstances and produce something amazingly good from something
so amazingly bad. My son was eclipsed, but I can praise God through
my tears because, due to Chris’s unselfish pronouncement at age 15, I
am not left comfortless. Chris’s organs provided the gift of life to six
individuals, three of whom I have been blessed to meet and with whom
I have developed a most special bond. Chris gave them the gift of life,
and they have given me the gift of family. Moreover, Chris’s healing
touch did not stop there. Due to his being a skin and tissue donor as
well, hundreds were touched by his gift.
God is gracious and personal. One of my new “family members” shares
Chris’s avid love of the outdoors. He enjoys casting a lure and hunting
birds and white-tailed deer as much as Chris did, and I can see the
reflection of that gleam in Chris’s eyes when he speaks of such
exploits. This new friend, Chris’s lung recipient, made provision for a
deer feeder near Chris’s grave to be perpetually filled with deer corn,
and I feel more near to Chris when I see it. What a comfort in
relationships!
Chris’s love reaches out to comfort me each time I see one of my
newest “family members,” or when I remember the good that was
provided through his unselfish decision to be an organ donor. In the
words of one of the transplant nurses, “Chris truly is a hero.”
In closing, I cannot say it better than the One who provides my
comfort: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to
do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
- Pam Pledger, Chris’ mom
Carol Parks - Carol was a music and art teacher in Irving until her
retirement 5 years ago. She moved to Waco after her retirement.
Carol had an allergic reaction to a dye used in a medical treatment that
caused kidney damage. She is also a diabetic, which may have
contributed to the kidney problems. She went on dialysis and later was
put on the list for a kidney transplant.
Carol was on the waiting list for over two years. During that time, her
veins were giving out and she had a fistula which enabled her to have
her dialysis, but it was closing as well. On the day her fistula closed,
she was told she had a donor. That news also came on her father’s
birthday, which was very moving to her. She does not know the donor
family of her new kidney, but is very thankful to them.
Jimmy Hicks – Several years ago, Jimmy was diagnosed with
hypertension. As his condition progressed, he was put on dialysis for a
failing kidney. He remained on dialysis for 30 months, and then was
put on the transplant list for over a year. In July of 2002, Jimmy
received a kidney transplant and “feels 100% better.”
Antoinette Quinton – Antoinette has been a diabetic since the age of
15. Two years ago, she was put on dialysis because her increased blood
pressure and diabetes caused her kidneys to stop functioning. In July of
2002, Antoinette received a kidney transplant. As the diabetes also
damaged her pancreas, she had a pancreas transplant in May of this
year.
Paul and Whit Saxon - Carter BloodCare honors Paul and Whit Saxon, who
are two precious little boys who were born fighters. 2-year-old Paul and 10month-old Whit, sons of Leigh and Terrill Saxon of Waco, have experienced
personal challenges most of us could only imagine.
For Paul, a CAT scan and a visit to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth
confirmed a diagnosis of Neuroblastoma – an aggressive form of childhood
cancer. Paul’s tumors are located in his abdomen and chest and surround his
heart. Just 4 months prior to Paul’s diagnosis, his newborn brother, Whit, was
rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a
heart defect requiring open-heart surgery.
Paul is undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and blood and platelet
transfusions are carrying him through his treatment. His cancer is in
remission. Whit had his surgery in April and is doing great; blood
transfusions also supported Whit through his procedure.
Rebecca Lee Maxwell – As a kidney/pancreas recipient, I could not
possibly have had a more positive experience. I was diagnosed with
juvenile diabetes right after my 7th birthday, so I could not imagine
what a life without diabetes would be like. On January 21, 2000, at the
age of 39, I received a pancreas and kidney from a 14-year-old boy
after being on the waiting list for 3 ½ years. This has been a joyous
experience that continues to renew my Christian faith.
Local Sponsors
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Dallas/Fort Worth
Local Event
Day 6: Saturday, September 27, 2003
Waco to Dallas/Fort Worth
The Lone Star Circle of Life team will leave Waco at 7:30 a.m. for Dallas/Fort Worth. They will arrive
in Grand Prairie at approximately 3:30 p.m.and will proceed to the Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie
where a reception will be held for the riders and honorees. The riders will be introduced and they will
tell about the honoree they rode for that day.
Event Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Amy Milton
Baylor University Medical Center
3409 Worth Street, Suite 600
Dallas, TX 75235
Phone: 214-820-4279
Jamie Kayser
Cook Children's Medical Center
801 Seventh Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
Phone: 682-885-7565
Eva Trevino
Carter BloodCare
9000 Harry Hines Boulevard #227
Dallas, TX 75235
Phone: 800-DONATE4
Day Riders
Saundra and John Karnes have been avid supporters of the Lone Star Circle of Life bike tour
since its second year. Saundra has a brother and several friends that have been recipients of
organs and tissues as well as donors. She has been a member of the LSCOL team in 1999,
2000, 2001 and 2002.
Robert Reeve – Robert is an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in Sports Medicine at Scott
& White Hospital and a strong advocate of improving and expanding organ and tissue
transplantation. “I want to help promote awareness about the critical need to increase the level
of participation of our general population as potential donors.”
Individuals interested in being a day rider into Dallas/Fort Worth event should contact one of the local
event coordinators.
Honorees
Mary Ann Dingman - Mary Ann Dingman was a senior at the
University of Texas in Austin when she was in a fatal automobile
accident. Mary Ann became an organ and tissue donor, giving the gift
of life to many others in need.
Michelle Miller – Michelle had an autologous bone marrow transplant
several years ago to battle her Hodgkins lymphoma, but is now in need
of a matched donor for a repeat transplant.
She is the creative founder and President of The Cancer Monument
(http://www.cancerwallofhope.org)
Lori A. White – Approximately ten years ago, I learned of a six-monthold boy who needed a bone marrow transplant. His situation prompted
me and several of my friends to be tested to see if we were a match.
Unfortunately, none of us were a match for him, but we were then
registered as potential donors with the National Marrow Donor Program.
Years went by, my jobs and residence changed, and I neglected to
update my record. Then one day, I got a phone call from my previous
job telling me that someone was desperately trying to reach me. It was
absolutely fate that the person who answered the phone knew how to
get in touch with me, because I hadn’t worked there in years. The
person who was looking for me was Jamie Herrin, of the National
Marrow Donor Program office in Fort Worth. I contacted Jamie as
quickly as possible, and after further testing, it was determined that I
was a match for a 6-year-old girl suffering from acute myeloid leukemia
and needed a bone marrow transplant. She had endured months of
chemotherapy and had been given just weeks to live when the match
was found. The transplant took place in September 2000.
I never wanted anything more in my life than for the transplant to work
for her. I thought about her and her family constantly. I simply couldn’t
begin to imagine what they were all going through. I received
occasional updates about her progress. Then came the day I will never
forget. I received a letter from the family including a picture of the little
girl, and for the first time, I saw Molly-Ann Barnett of Hessel, England!
The picture of Molly-Ann dressed in purple and holding a little bunny is
absolutely adorable. I remember that I couldn’t stop looking at that
picture. It holds a prominent place on my desk at work and on my
nightstand at home, so I can see her beautiful face very single day.
People always ask, “How does it feel?” I have a very hard time
expressing exactly how I feel. I don’t think that the words have been
invented yet. As far as I’m concerned, I played a very small part in
Molly-Ann’s recovery. It was Molly-Ann who had to be strong and
courageous. Just knowing what that precious little girl has gone through
and how hard she must have fought to cling to life is unimaginable to
me.
We are constantly emailing one another, and I feel as though MollyAnn and her family are part of my own. I am kept informed of the
wonderful news regarding her follow-up visits and, thankfully, today
Molly-Ann is a happy, healthy 9-year-old who is making great strides in
her recovery. We have recently started working towards meeting some
day very soon.
I can say without a doubt, that this has definitely been one of the
greatest experiences of my life. I would like to take this opportunity to
strongly encourage each and every one of you to register as a potential
donor, and should you decide to, PLEASE keep your records updated.
Shay Ledbetter – Eleven years ago, Shay Ledbetter was a 21-year-old
student at the University of North Texas. Her life was tragically cut
short when she was struck by a car when taking an after-dinner walk
through her neighborhood. Shay lay comatose for five days, never
regaining consciousness before her death.
Since Shay had talked openly about organ donation with her mother
weeks before her death, Pat Ledbetter knew her daughter's wishes when
she was approached about donating Shay’s organs. Pat wrote in a story
about her daughter titled “My Daughter’s Heart”, that since they knew
her wishes, it was not a difficult decision.
Shay’s tissues were able to be transplanted into up to 30 people and four
of her organs were able to be transplanted as well. Her liver went to a
57-year-old father, one kidney to a 39-year-old father of four and the
other kidney to a father of seven. Her heart, however, went to a 21-yearold woman – the same age as Shay.
This young woman was Bonnie Lundy. When she was placed on the
transplant list, Bonnie had been desperately sick and given only six
months to live due to her failing heart. Bonnie is a member of the 2003
Lone Star Circle of Life team. She is now the executive director of
Transplants for Children and has written about Shay that “everything I
do is for her.”
(For more information on Shay, read Pat Ledbetter’s story on http://
www.lifegift.org/do_sto.htm. Shay’s family will be at the Dallas/Fort
Worth event to greet Bonnie when the 2003 team rides in)
Ken Carter – “In 1997, I went to a local bone marrow drive for a boy
in our area of Aledo, Texas. I ended up being called several years later
and asked to donate stem cells for a 20-month-old child with fatal
Hurler’s Syndrome. I actually gave my donation to Jack in March of
2001, but sadly, due to complications, he passed away ten months later
from a weakened immune system.
This experience has literally changed my life forever, it truly taught me
the meaning of the term “to give.” I am now a much more “giving”
person, and have truly become a much nicer and more caring person.
This experience moved me and my family to re-evaluate what is really
important!
We have tried to stay in touch with Jack’s family. They were so nice to
share pictures of Jack with us and in every picture, this 20-month-old
boy dealing with a deadly illness was always smiling which just amazed
me and my family and brought us to tears.
Jack’s family says they’ve also been changed forever by the possibility
of what could have been a life-saving experience. To quote them:
‘Thank-you for the best gift we could have ever received. The gift of
hope and possibility.’ The gift of life can be overwhelming.
The best thing I can say is that I would do this again in a heartbeat! It
has changed mine and my family’s lives forever.”
Langston and Sterling Sutcliffe - On March 21, 2001 our only child,
3½-year-old Langston, was diagnosed at Children's Medical Center in
Dallas with a life-threatening blood disorder called aplastic anemia.
This condition stems from the failure of bone marrow to produce red
and white blood cells and platelets, the very things that allow the blood
to carry oxygen, fight infection and allow clotting to take place. The
definitive treatment is a bone marrow transplant.
Langston spent the remainder of that year dealing with the effects of the
disorder and undergoing countless blood and platelet infusions to allow
his cell counts to be at safer levels, even though it was a temporary fix invariably the cell counts again dropped to sometimes dangerous levels
over a period of one or two weeks. It was an endless cycle of blood and
platelet infusions throughout 2001 and into 2002.
In August of 2001, our family welcomed our second son, Sterling. In
the first 3 weeks of his life Sterling was identified as a perfect marrow
match for his brother Langston. Then at 6 months of age Sterling
became a marrow donor in an effort to save his brother's life. The
transplant took place almost one year after Langston was diagnosed
with aplastic anemia. Langston is now 5 and Sterling is 1½. Sterling is
one of the sweetest little guys you can imagine and he's trying hard to
keep up with big brother. Langston has always been very lively, athletic
and social with a clever personality - he continues to be that way and if
you get a chance to meet him, it's worth it.
Kevin Stanmore – “I donated bone marrow two years ago to a 17-yearold boy who had T-cell Lymphoma. My involvement with the Marrow
Donor Program began at a United States Postal Service sponsored blood
drive held at the North Texas Processing and Distribution center in
Coppell, Texas. As a regular blood donor, I was eager to find new ways
to be a blessing and a help to someone in need. During this particular
blood drive, I noticed a table for bone marrow donation sign-up. I did
not know anything about donating bone marrow, but when I found out
how easy it was to sign up, I was glad to help.
A couple of years afterwards, I received a telephone call from the donor
center at Baylor University Medical Center informing me that I was a
possible match for a 17-year-old boy. I went to the center a couple of
times and gave a small sample of blood for further testing. I discovered
I was a perfect match. A short time after the transplant, I found out that
the recipient died from massive organ failure, but I look forward to
being a donor again.
My donor experience has allowed me to become a resource of
information for family, friends, and co-workers who are considering
becoming a marrow donor. Many people have signed up to donate after
finding out that it takes no money, a little time, a little blood and a little
physical discomfort to give the “Gift of Life” to another person.
Anthony Saldana – Anthony is a two-time marrow donor, donating in
1997 and again in 2003.
Jeremy Mullendore – Jeremy is 16-years-old and received a cornea
transplant last summer through the generosity of a donor family and U.
T. Southwestern Transplant Services. He has since regained 20/20
vision (assisted with glasses) in his right eye. Jeremy has also helped to
educate others about the importance of organ/tissue donation.
Jeremy is a state certified soccer referee, a third-year German student
and is a junior at DeSoto High School.
Local Sponsors
Saturn of Mesquite
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Dr Pepper
Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Riders
Congratulations to the 2003 Lone Star Circle of Life Team!
The following 10 riders and four support members have been selected for this year's team. The team
members have been selected not only because they are experienced riders, but also because their lives
have been touched by the need for blood, marrow and organ or tissue donations. Each day of the tour,
each member of the team will ride in honor of a Texan for their unique contribution either as a donor, a
recipient or for their support for the field of donation.
City: Gatesville, Texas
Keith Steward
Age: 49
2003 Team Captain Employer: Banker
Reason for Riding: I want to share my family's experience with
policystic kidney disease to give hope to those who suffer from life
threatening diseases. At the center of this hope lies the education of
others of their ability to save lives by becoming donors.
“It is often said, 'I wish I could do something to help' when we learn
of a serious illness or disease. Your words can be put into action
by becoming a donor."
Rick Bell
City: Temple, Texas
Age: 43
Employer: Musician - Rockin' Rick & the Corvettes
Reason for Riding: To use the gift of health God has given me to
impress upon others that life truly is a circle, and we all must take our
place in that circle, no matter how small we feel our place is.
"When we are given life, we owe it to ourselves to live. When we are
given health, we owe it to others to give. Live a full life and pass it
on."
Joe Canal
City: Tyler, Texas
Age: 45
Employer: Pastor, Tyler Christian Fellowship
Reason for Riding: An organ donor saved my son's life. I am riding in
the Lone Star Circle of Life Tour to say "thank you" to them, to give hope
to the thousands of Americans on transplant waiting lists and to raise
public awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation. If riding 700
miles on a bicycle will grab even one person's attention, if hearing how
my son Josh's life was saved by a heart transplant will help them see the
life saving possibilities of organ donation, if they decide to become a
donor and tell their family and friends about their decision, then all the
time and work it took to make this event happen has been worth it.
"Organ and tissue donation save lives everyday."
Fred Carter
City: Belton, Texas
Age: 39
Employer: Central Texas Council of Governments - Accounting
Reason for Riding: 13 years ago, Fred was diagnosed with leukemia
and received an autologous bone marrow transplant. Since that time, the
need to raise the awareness for blood, marrow, organs and tissues
donation is near and dear to his heart.
"Be a donor and give the gift of life - YOU could be a hero!"
Peggy Fink
City: Austin, Texas
Age: 60
Employer: Fink Bookkeeping and Tax Service
Reason for Riding: To give the gift of a renewed lifetime!! In memory of
my friend, Anna, for whom there was no suitable bone marrow match; to
honor the courage of my two cousins who have both had successful liver
transplants this year; in gratitude for all donors of blood, marrow, organ
and tissue.
"It is a privilege for me to participate in this event, which will mean a
renewed lifetime for so many people."
Preston Goforth
City: Temple, Texas
Age: 53
Employer: Physician
Reason for Riding: As a practicing podiatrist at Scott & White, I see
many diabetic patients who are afflicted with many problems. In addition
to the foot problems that I take care of, many suffer severe kidney
damage and have to go on dialysis three days per week for the
remainder of their life. This has a profound effect on their whole lives. It
is a tremendous boost to their entire family when they are fortunate
enough to be given a transplant.
Another reason I am interested in promoting organ transplantation is that
I have a personal friend who is the recipient of a heart transplant. He is
an undaunted example of the concept of never giving up hope and I
would like to honor him.
"It is a wonderful gift of freedom and health to be given the gift of a
transplant."
Lisa Keville
City: Temple, Texas
Age: 34
Employer: Research Manager, Scott & White Center for Cancer
Prevention and Care
Reason for Riding: Patients with cancer or blood disorders that need a
stem cell transplant in order to cure their disease are faced with the
challenge of locating a matched donor either through testing of a sibling,
or through the donor registry at the National Marrow Donor Program.
Although the number of registered donors has increased in the last
decade, a number of patients searching the NMDP Registry are still
unable to locate a match. My reason for riding in the Lone Star Circle of
Life Bike Tour is to continue to promote stem cell donor awareness
throughout the State of Texas and to inform Texans about joining the
NMDP Registry. The ultimate goal is to have a matched donor for every
patient who needs a stem cell transplant.
"Donating stem cells is a life-changing event for both the patient
receiving the cells and the donor who gives the cells. The donor is
unselfishly giving the hope for a cure and a chance for a new life to
the patient and in turn receives the ultimate reward of saving a life."
Bonnie Lundy
City: San Antonio, Texas
Age: 32
Employer: Executive Director, Transplants for Children
Reason for Riding: To encourage fellow transplant recipients to return
to main stream living and to inspire them to set goals and achieve them
physically, mentally and spiritually.
"I feel especially grateful for this opportunity and have an
unfathomable sense of obligation to my donor and donor family to
live my life to it's fullest. This ride is for you, Bill, Pat and Todd
Ledbetter!"
Rich Oropeza
City: Lewisville, Texas
Age: 33
Employer: E-sales consultant, Saturn of Mesquite
Reason for Riding: I had not ever realized how important it was to
donate blood or register with the marrow donor program until I began
working at Saturn of Mesquite and learning how Saturn Corporation is
involved in these and other programs throughout the country. My wife is
an R.N. who cares for children whose lives have been saved because of
blood, organ and marrow donors. It is comforting to know that so many
individuals give a part of themselves to help one another without asking
for anything in return. I am thankful to be given the opportunity to
participate in the bike tour again.
"Giving someone the chance to live a better life through
blood, organ and marrow donation is the greatest gift we can
share with one another."
Eva Reeder
City: Temple, Texas
Age: 44
Employer: Poison Control Center, Scott & White
Reason for Riding: 26 years ago, I lost a brother to leukemia. He wasn't
given the option of receiving bone marrow to spare his life. Medicine has
come a long way since then. By participating in this ride, it allows me to
make people aware of the great need for donors and blood donations. It
is my hope that no one would ever know the pain of losing a loved one to
such a horrible disease.
"People die everyday while awaiting organ donations. But the sad
part is they don't have to...".
2003 Support Crew
Amy Milton, Dallas
Debbie Mabry, Temple
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Mario Ortiz, Houston
James Balentine, San Antonio
Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Sponsorships
All sponsors will be recognized on the tour website.
Title Honoree--Mary Ann Dingman
The 2003 Lone Star Circle of Life is held in honor and memory of Mary Ann
Dingman. Mary Ann Dingman was a senior at the University of Texas in
Austin when she was in a fatal automobile accident. Mary Ann became an
organ and tissue donor, giving the gift of life to many others in need.
Title Sponsors ~ $10,000
Title sponsors will receive top placement on all promotional items throughout the tour and special
recognition at all local events.
Scott & White Clinic, Hospital and Health Plan
Circle of Life Sponsor ~ $5000
Circle of Life sponsors will receive large color logos on the tour trailer, preferential placement of
their logos on tour rider jerseys and tee shirts, and special recognition on the website.
Millennium Sponsor ~ $2000
Millenium sponsors will see their logos displayed on the tour trailer, rider jerseys, tee shirt and the
website.
Lone Star Sponsor ~ $1000
Lone Star Sponsor names will listed on the tour trailer, rider jerseys, the tour tee shirt and the
website.
Donor Sponsor ~ $500
Donor Sponsor names and logos will be displayed in black on the tour tee shirt.
Altrusa International of Temple
Saturn of Mesquite
Friend Sponsor~ $250
Friend Sponsor names will be displyaed on the tour tee shirt.
In Honor of
Peggie Fink
In memory of
Josephine R. Nevins
Nancy Rabb
The Mabry Family
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Tyler
Local Event
Day 7: September 28, 2003
Dallas/Fort Worth to Tyler
The Lone Star Circle of Life riders will leave Dallas 7:30 a.m. for Tyler. They will arrive in Tyler at
approximately 1:00 p.m., where they will proceed to the Tyler Christian Fellowship, 3421 Jackson
Highway. A reception will be held for the riders where they will be introduced. At that time, each rider
will introduce the honoree they rode for that day.
Event Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Janie Malone
Stewart Regional Blood Center
815 South Baxter Street
Tyler, TX 75701
Phone: 903-535-5409
Day Riders
Saundra and John Karnes have been avid supporters of the Lone Star Circle of Life bike tour since its
second year. Saundra has a brother and several friends that have been recipients of organs and tissues as
well as donors. She has been a member of the LSCOL team in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Robert Reeve – Robert is an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in Sports Medicine at Scott & White
Hospital and a strong advocate of improving and expanding organ and tissue transplantation. “I want to
help promote awareness about the critical need to increase the level of participation of our general
population as potential donors.”
Individuals interested in being a day rider into Tyler should contact the local event coordinator.
Honorees
Mary Ann Dingman - Mary Ann Dingman was a senior at the University of
Texas in Austin when she was in a fatal automobile accident. Mary Ann
became an organ and tissue donor, giving the gift of life to many others in
need.
Joshua Canal – Joshua had a congenital heart defect for 17 years, causing
major problems and illness. He was on the waiting list for a heart for several
months, and the last five days of his wait for a heart, he was on life
support. He did receive a heart transplant in January of 1998 and is now a
healthy survivor.
Joshua’s dad is team rider Joe Canal, who has ridden the last three years as
either a day rider or team member in honor of his son.
Shatonya Kavonne Jones – Shatonya was diagnosed with lymphoma
in November, 2002. She was treated with chemotherapy at Baylor
University Medical Center in Dallas and was waiting for a marrow
transplant.
Shatonya was a very special person who loved life, loved to laugh and have
fun, loved church and working with children. She worked in childcare for 14
years. Her pride and joy was her 10-year-old son Ja’Kory. Her life was cut
short. She “finished early.’
Amanda Jimerson – Amanda's story, in her words:
Last February 4, I was in my third trimester of pregnancy and began internally
hemorrhaging and was not aware of it until it was almost too late. I had an
abrupted placenta, which is rare. I had over 75% blood loss. Had it not been
for life-saving blood products, I would not be here. Our daughter, Mackenzie,
died. I used blood and plasma from over 25 different donors.
Randy Peterson – Randy is a 29-year-old married father of two, and a kidney
transplant recipient. After one unfortunate attempt at a living relative donation
from his brother, Dale, Randy received a cavaderic kidney transplant at East
Texas Medical Center in February of this year. He returned to his engineering
job at Trane within a couple of months and is enjoying a very active family life
thanks the successful transplant.
Richard Magee – Richard is a 34-year-old kidney transplant recipient. In
1999, while working for Hartman Building Company in Fort Worth, Richard
suffered kidney failure. After almost 3½ years on dialysis, Richard received a
transplant at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. He loves sports and looks
forward to enjoying them again, as well as going back to work.
Alice Jane Patrick – “I am a 53-year-old heart transplant recipient. I received
my new heart on Mother’s Day, 2002. I have two sons, Chris and David and a
wonderful husband, Mike, that are my support group.
I suffer from an aggressive heart disease that is apparently hereditary, and had
bypass surgery in 1994. The grafts as well as many arteries failed, causing me
to become continually weaker with time. Initially, I was high on the waiting
list, but developed an infection that bumped me down the list. After recovering
from the infection, I became well enough to go home and wait. I thought it
would be some time before being transplanted, but I received a call within
three months. They had a heart for me.
I have met my donor’s family and now spend time speaking for Southwest
Transplant Alliance to various groups about “Donor Awareness.”
Randy Lively – Randy receives gamma globulin every two weeks, which is
the plasma that contains the antibodies in your immune system. He was born
with an immune deficiency.
It takes thousands of people to donate blood in order to get the needed amount
of gamma globulin that he receives with every injection. Randy has been
receiving these injections since he was 5 years old and will continue to receive
them until a miracle--or medical miracle--occurs. His family is very
grateful--“more than words can say”--to everyone for donating.
Wayne Anderson – Wayne is the director of hospital services for Stewart
Regional Blood Center, and has been with the center for three years. He has
given 53 units of blood and has enjoyed it greatly. He has one son, 13 yearsold, and "wants the blood to be there if he should ever need it."
Carolyn Wright – Carolyn works at Stewart Regional Blood Center as a
laboratory manager. She has been there for 5½ years, and is a long-time donor
with 21 blood donations and 50 apheresis donations.
Jan Decker – Jan works for Stewart Regional Blood Center in the business
office. She has been with the center for over three years in accounts receivable,
accounts payable and the payroll offices. She has donated a total of 57 times.
Jan is married with three boys and lives in Kilgore.
Hayden Layne Aduddell – “Hayden, a beautiful blond with big blue eyes,
was born in Dallas. When she was 18 months old, her parents and big brother
moved east to the small town of Ben Wheeler. There, Hayden lived in an old
farmhouse in the middle of a dairy.
Hayden attended Parents Day out at the First Baptist Church of Canton. Her
father, a stay-at-home-dad, often took Hayden around town on his errands. She
visited with people at stores and restaurants. Everyone in town knew our Hadie.
Hayden was our golden girl, our little princess. One bright, sun-shiny Tuesday
morning, on the way to Vacation Bible School, the angels came and took
Hayden to Glory. We had so much planned for her life, but God’s thoughts are
not our thoughts; and His plans are not our plans. God called Hayden home to
fulfill His plan and His purpose.
What an amazing God we serve; out of death, He brings life; out of tragedy,
He brings hope and a future. We donated Hayden’s corneas and heart valves so
that others may experience the gift of life and the gift of sight. Hayden’s life
mattered, she touched so many people. It’s a comfort to know our little girl
made a difference in the lives of others. We love and miss Hayden very much
and look forward to the day we will see her again.”
Lauren Brandon - Lauren was a multiple organ donor that gave the gift of
life to many others.
Local Sponsors
Thanks to the congregation of Tyler Christian Fellowship for
your continued support!
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
2003 Photo Gallery
Daily Photos
Photos from the 2003 Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour will be
sent to this website the day following each local event. You are
invited to visit daily and follow along with the tour throughout
the week by clicking on the daily links below.
Links will be activated when the photos are available.
September 21 - Kick-off event
Galveston
September 22 - Day One
Galveston to La Grange
September 23 - Day Two
La Grange to San Antonio
September 24 - Day Three
San Antonio to Austin
September 25 - Day Four
Austin to College Station
September 26 - Day Five
College Station to Waco,
September 27 - Day Six
Waco to Dallas/Fort Worth
September 28 - Day Seven
Dallas/Fort Worth to Tyler
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Photogallery - Kick-off reception
Sunday, September 21, 2003
Kick-off Reception at Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston, Texas.
Photos from the Lone Star Circle of Life will be sent to this website the day following the event. You
are invited to follow along with the tour throughout the week.
The 2003 team gathers in Galveston to make a preliminary ride around the island.
Pace car driver Mario Ortiz gives
instructions to the riders.
Riders enjoying the seawall.
Honorees and other guests greet riders
at the Moody Gardens.
Rider Lisa Keville talks to her honoree,
Elliot Lapin, while rider Keith Steward
(in the back) talks to his honoree, John
Gaines.
Jason Hatcher talks to the audience
about the 2003 title honoree and
sponsor Mary Ann Dingman. Mary
Ann's parents, Susan and Alex
Dingman join him on stage.
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Photogallery - Day One, Galveston to LaGrange
Monday, September 22, 2003
Galveston to La Grange
Photos from the Lone Star Circle of Life will be sent to this website the day following the event. You
are invited to follow along with the tour throughout the week.
The team poses for a photo before crossing the San Luis bridge on their way to
Freeport.
Day one begins with breakfast at the
Moody Gardens Hotel, and a
presentation of a check from the
friends of Mary Ann Dingman to
Jeanie Howe of the Marrow
Foundation.
Alex and Susan Dingman prepare to
send off Bonnie Lundy, who rode in
honor of their daughter Mary Ann, and
John Gaines, the recipient of Mary
Ann's heart.
Dr. Jeffery Chell, CEO of the National
Marrow Donor Program, poses with
the NMDP team in Galveston. From
left to right: Genie Anderson and Mary
Helmreich from the Gulf Coast Blood
center; Dr. Chell, Debbie Mabry,
Jeannie Howe from the Marrow
Foundation, Becky McCullough and
Mario Ortiz from the Gulf Coast Blood
center.
And they are off on the 2003 Lone Star
Circle of Life! Fred Carter and other
team mates cycle out of Moody
Gardens to start the 700 mile trip
around the state.
Rich Oropeza checks his bike at the
rear of the trailer.
Arriving in La Grange, the team is
joined by the United States Postal
Service to show their support of
donation.
Representatives from the United States
Postal Service congratulate Yvonne.
Yvonne Ybarra with the South Texas
Blood and Tissue Center presents a
certificate of appreciation to Kelly
Oliphant from Fayette Memorial
Hospital.
The 2003 team, honorees, and attendees gather around the Fayette Memorial
Hospital sign for a photo.
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Photogallery - Day Two, LaGrange to San Antonio
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
La Grange to San Antonio
Photos from the Lone Star Circle of Life will be sent to this website the day following the event. You
are invited to follow along with the tour throughout the week.
The team is joined by Olympic snowboard medalist Chris Klug, liver recipient, on
the trip into Saturn of San Antonio.
Day two started with tour bike
mechanic James Balentine checking
several bikes.
The team gets started out of La Grange
on their way to San Antonio.
Debbie Mabry is joined by (left to
right) Eric Sherman, Chris Klug and
Jerry Lewis from Saturn/UAW along
the trip to San Antonio.
Back on the road led by team captain,
Keith Steward.
Peggy Fink introduces her honoree
Haleigh Stevens-Arellano and presents
her with a cap signed by Lance
Armstrong.
Honoree and marrow donor Gilbert
Lopez meets the recipient of his stem
cell donation, little Kyle Vargas, for
the first time.
Rick Bell tells why he rides with the
Lone Star Circle of Life.
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San Antonio local event coordinator
for the tour, Yvonne Ybarra, poses
with Rick Cavender of Saturn of San
Antonio, and Chris Klug.
Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Photogallery - Day Three, San Antonio to Austin
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
San Antonio to Austin
Photos from the Lone Star Circle of Life will be sent to this website the day following the event. You
are invited to follow along with the tour throughout the week.
Pace car driver Mario Ortiz leads the
group out of San Antonio headed for
Austin.
Starting out early.
Beautiful Texas highways!
Rich Oropeza and Bonnie Lundy on
the road.
Taking a rest before riding into Austin.
Joe Canal, Fred Carter, Keith Steward,
and Lisa Keville.
Joe Canal and Dorothy Starr meet
honoree Sherman Bradshaw.
Rick Bell visits with event attendee.
Joe Canal tells about his son, Josh, and
why he rides in the Lone Star Circle of
Life.
Peggy Fink introduces her honoree and
cousin, Jon Goodfleish.
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Photogallery - Day Four, Austin to College Station
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Austin to College Station
Photos from the Lone Star Circle of Life will be sent to this website the day following the event. You
are invited to follow along with the tour throughout the week.
The riders prepare to get on the road to
College Station.
Enjoying beautiful weather.
The team stops for lunch in Caldwell
and relax under the trees at the
courthouse.
The teams rolls into the George Bush
Presidential Library and Museum.
Lisa Keville and Dorothy Starr visit
with the honorees.
The team is welcomed to the George
Bush Library by Dr. Douglas
Menarchik, Director of the George
Bush Presidential Library. Dr.
Menarchik read a letter from President
Bush to the riders commending them
for their efforts to increase awareness
for the need for donors.
Marrow stem cell donor Mary Ann
Turner addresses the crowd, while her
rider Fred Carter looks on.
Honoree Josh Haverland, back row
center, is supported by his friends.
The team in the courtyard
of the Presidential Library
The team poses for a photo beneath the
statue titled "The Day the Wall Came
Down" in the courtyard of the George
Bush Presidential Library.
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Photogallery - Day Five, College Station to Waco
Friday, September 26, 2003
College Station to Waco
Photos from the Lone Star Circle of Life will be sent to this website the day following the event. You
are invited to follow along with the tour throughout the week.
Before leaving Waco, the team poses at the starting line of the Waco Wild West
Century. They were joined by day riders Saundra Karnes and Robert Reeve.
Day rider Saundra Karnes joins Rich
Oropeza, Preston Goforth, Lisa Keville
Saundra Karnes pins the honoree tag to
Eva Reeder's jersey.
and Peggy Fink at the Ferrell Center for
a brief rest before riding into the Waco
Convention Center.
Fred Carter and Preston Goforth.
Rick Bell joins teammates Rich
Oropeza, Lisa Keville and Peggy Fink
in reflecting on their honorees.
David Sanderson and Theresa Meyers
with the United States Postal Service in
Waco join the team for the last few
miles to show their support of donation.
A postal service vehicle followed the
riders to the Convention Center.
After riding across the Waco
Suspension Bridge, Rick Bell and Eva
Reeder look for their honorees.
Fred Carter is interviewed by Channel
25 while Michelle Segovia with Texas
Organ Sharing Alliance looks on.
Preston Goforth listens while family
members tell him about his honoree.
The team poses for a photo around a cardboard cutout of President Bush. The team
was invited to join the Waco Wild West participants for dinner.
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Photogallery - Day Six, Waco to Ft. Worth
Tuesday, September 27, 2003
Waco to Ft. Worth
Photos from the Lone Star Circle of Life will be sent to this website the day following the event. You
are invited to follow along with the tour throughout the week.
Finding a park to have a picnic lunch.
A quick stop to rest in Malone, Texas.
Fred Carter pins the honoree tag on
Bonnie Lundy.
Riders Fred Carter, Rich Oropeza,
Peggy Fink and Bonnie Lundy pose
with honoree Kevin Stanmore and the
Grand Prairie postmaster.
Day rider Saundra Karnes is greeted by
her honoree, Lori White.
Pat and Bill Ledbetter give Bonnie
Lundy a hug while talking about their
daughter, Shay. Bonnie was the
recipient of Shay's heart eleven years
ago.
Susan and Alex Dingmans talk about
their daughter, Mary Ann, the 2003
title honoree.
Balloons are released following the
honoree presentations.
Attendees sign the traveling banner
dedicated to Mary Ann Dingman.
The riders and support crew sign tee
shirts for each other the last night they
are together for the 2003 tour.
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Photogallery - Day Seven, Dallas/Fort Worth to Tyler
Tuesday, September 28, 2003
Dallas/Fort Worth to Tyler
Photos from the Lone Star Circle of Life will be sent to this website the day following the event. You
are invited to follow along with the tour throughout the week.
Fred Carter, James Balentine, Rich
Oropeza and Saundra Karnes visit
before taking off to Tyler.
Peggy Fink and Keith Steward look
over the route.
Joe and Becky Canal join local event
coordinator, Janie Malone, in a song of
celebration to open the event
Riders Preston Goforth and Fred Carter
talk to honoree families.
Riders Bonnie Lundy and Keith
Steward talk to honoree families.
Day rider Robert Reeve joins the other
team members in the lunch line
provided by the members of Tyler
Christian Fellowship
Joe Canal poses with his wife, Becky.
Joe was named the 2004 Lone Star
Circle of Life team captain.
Rich Oropeza, James Balentine, Lisa
Steele and Fred Carter pose in Edom,
Texas.
Janie Malone gets help from the Tyler
postmaster to show the traveling
banner honoring Mary Ann Dingman.
Bonnie Lundy and Peggy Fink share a
final hug at the conclusion of the 2003
Lone Star Circle of Life!
Lone Star Circle of Life
"This is why we are here"
A firsthand account of a day on the tour of the Circle of Life
by Lisa Keville
It is 7:30 a.m. and just barely light outside of the
Executive Inn in La Grange when I meet the other
Circle of Life Bike Tour riders in the hotel lobby for
warm kolaches, OJ and coffee to fuel up for the long
ride ahead. The rolling highways of the Texas Hill
Country have taken their toll on our road-weary legs,
but the group seems to hardly notice. Everyone is full
of smiles, jokes and encouragement. Although the
ride is long and hard, the riders look forward to reaching the San Antonio destination.
Each rider has a different story to tell, but our goals are the same: To ride our bikes and to spread the
message about the critical need for blood, marrow and organ donations. This is what has brought us
together from all parts of Texas.
Our captain and fearless leader from Gatesville, Keith Steward, has polycystic fibrosis disease of the
kidney. His Scott & White doctor says that eventually Keith will need a kidney transplant, but today he
is zooming up and down the pace line to keep us safely on course.
Fred Carter of Belton survived leukemia after receiving a bone marrow transplant at Scott & White. This
is Fred’s sixth year to ride with the tour.
Preston Goforth, M.D., is a podiatrist at Scott & White and is riding in honor of diabetic patients who
need kidney and pancreas transplants.
Eva Reeder, from the Scott & White Poison Control Center, has come to share her personal story about
blood and marrow donations.
Rich Oropeza works at the Saturn dealership in Mesquite, which
also gives him the chance to spread the message about organ
donation year round.
Peggy Fink from Austin joined the tour this year and is riding in
honor of her two cousins who both had liver transplants last
spring.
Joe Canal from Tyler rides every day in honor of his son Josh
who had a heart transplant when he was 17. Josh is now 22 and
doing great!
And then we are all in awe of our friend Bonnie Lunde who herself had a heart transplant 11 years ago
and is trekking across the state with us.
We are joined in Luling by Chris Klug, the Olympic medallist. He received a liver transplant just one
year prior to winning the bronze in snowboarding at the 2002 Olympics in Park City, UT. He rides the
last 60 miles with us to San Antonio for a fabulous event!
The U.S. Postal Amateur Cycling Team joins us in San Antonio, along with a postal truck and a police
escort, as we make our way into the Saturn dealership. We are greeted by TV cameras and news
reporters who quickly swarm to Bonnie and Chris, our two transplant recipient riders.
Each event is special, but today I have the very special
privilege of riding in honor of Gilbert Lopez, a gentleman who
donated his life-saving stem cells. Gilbert had registered with
the National Marrow Donor Program in 1992 by simply giving
a few drops of blood. It wasn’t until 2002 that Gilbert was
finally matched with Kyle, a 6-month-old boy from Chicago
who had been diagnosed with mucolipidosis.
Kyle, now 19 months old, and his family were introduced to
Gilbert for the first time at the event. After we told the heart-touching story about Gilbert and his
willingness to donate stem cells, Gilbert made his way through the crowd to the little boy. As his mother
held him in her arms, Kyle turned to Gilbert and stretched out his arms to embrace the man who gave
him the gift of life.
There was no doubt in our minds that Kyle knew. And there was not a dry eye in sight.
"This," I thought, "is why we are here."
Lisa Keville
Circle of Life Bike Rider
Scott & White Research Manager, Center for Cancer Prevention and Care
Special thanks to Debbie Mabry, Founder and Coordinator of the Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour and
Coordinator of the Scott & White Marrow Donor Program. You have given so much to the Tour and we
could not possibly have done this without you!
For more information on the Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour, please visit http://circleoflife.sw.org.
To read more about Chris Klug and his transplant, visit the Chris Klug website at http://www.chrisklug.
com/transplant.html
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Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
Archives
Annual Tour Archives
The Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour is now in it's sixth year. To visit the events of the past tours,
click on the year below:
1998 Inaugural Lone Star Circle of Life Tour
1999 Tour
2000 Millenium Tour
2001 Tour
2002 Tour
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