U.S. Games
Events & Activities – FOR DONOR FAMILIES
Donor families, those with a family member or friend who donated organs or tissues after their death, are invited to the Games for an inspiring and supportive program. Donor families can cheer on the transplant athletes and see first-hand how their loved one’s donation has changed lives. In addition, there are many special activities and events for families to share with one another, find support and understanding, and honor your loved one in creative ways. Donor family volunteers will be available to help you find your way and answer any questions.
Giving, Grieving, Growing™ Workshops for Donor Families
Hilton Pittsburgh
Note: This is a preliminary program and is subject to change.
Sunday, July 13 Evening Workshops
THE POWER OF ONE
6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Sometimes helping others through volunteering can help you, too. We will offer numerous ideas for getting involved in your local area, sharing your loved one’s story and legacy with others, and tips for using your stories to help educate the public and professionals. This session is open to donor family members and living donors.
WHAT TO DO WITH OUR MEMORIES
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
During this art workshop, families will create a small memory box or collage. Participants should bring small items and materials to use, such as photos, words, mementos, poems, quotes, symbols of the loved one, and fabric. We will also discuss other creative ways to memorialize and honor our loved ones. (Note: This session will be repeated on Monday, July 14. Children are welcome to participate.)
MAKING A QUILT SQUARE
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
This session is for donor families who want to make a quilt patch for The National Donor Family Quilt, but aren’t sure how to get started. No quilting experience is necessary. You can join the workshop for ideas, or if you want to make a Quilt square during the workshop to bring to the Quilt Pinning on Monday night, experienced quilters and donor family members will help you. (Note: This session will be repeated on Monday, July 14. Space may be limited for this workshop.)
Monday, July 14 Morning Workshops
FINDING GOOD ALONG THE GRIEF JOURNEY
9:00 am – 9:30 am Welcome Session
This is a welcome session for all donor families. We will talk about ways to cope with our losses and learn to live again. We can honor the memory of those we love and miss, and eventually find ways to rediscover joy in our new lives.
Option 1:
MAKING A QUILT SQUARE
9:45 am – 12:30 pm (Double session)
This session is for donor families who want to make a quilt patch for The National Donor Family Quilt. Please see this description under Sunday, July 13th. (Note: Please see the event’s description on Sunday, July 13th.)
Option 2:
9:45 am – 11:00 am Donor families can choose one:
WHAT TO DO WITH OUR MEMORIES
This is a creative art workshop for donor families. (Note: Please seethe event’s description on Sunday, July 13th.)
UNDERSTANDING BRAIN DEATH AND DONATION
Brain death can be a difficult concept to understand. Many families have questions about it for years. In this workshop, families will learn about the diagnosis of brain death, the donation process, and how to decode medical terms, laws, hospital policy, and medical tests.
MOVEMENT FOR MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT
Participants will learn simple stretches to help relieve tension, boost mood and care for the body, including movements to help with relaxation and sleep. These basic exercises are suitable for people from any level of physical fitness and will be presented in a safe, supportive atmosphere. The emotional, spiritual and physical benefits of exercise and relaxation will be discussed.
THE POWER OF “PEOPLE LIKE US”
This workshop is for donor families and living donors who want to learn how to influence public policy to improve care of donors, transplant recipients (of all organs) and people with kidney disease. This is a “how to” guide for those who want to educate government officials about important public policy and legislative issues.
GRIEF, LOSS AND SPIRITUALITY
After the death of a loved one, we are changed forever. Loss transforms us. For some, grief makes us become a more compassionate, caring and sensitive person. Our spiritual or religious beliefs may give us comfort, or we might find ourselves questioning our beliefs or seeking new answers. This workshop is about honoring all of our experiences and emotions, while seeking ways to transform our grief in positive ways.
WRITING YOUR WAY THROUGH GRIEF AND LOSS
Writing can be therapeutic for those navigating their way through grief and significant losses. In this workshop, participants will learn how to “write your way” through difficult emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, and sadness. During this workshop, participants will complete several short writing assignments which can be shared with the group, if they choose, or kept private.
11:15 am – 12:30 pm Donor families can choose one:
GRIEF, MY WAY
Everyone grieves in different ways. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to grieve. Some of us need to talk about our loved one and have pictures everywhere. Others keep our loss private and rarely talk about it. Some of us want to “lose ourselves” in work, creative projects, or other activities. These are all normal and valid ways to grieve. In this workshop, we will talk about different grieving styles, learn how to better understand each other, and give each of us permission to grieve in our own unique ways.
LAUGHTER LIGHTENS YOUR HEART
After the death of a loved one, families may find it difficult to find joy and laughter again. This Workshop/Sharing Session will provide suggestions for those who want to discover ways to enjoy life and rediscover joy in everyday activities, despite the death of a loved one. Participants will have an opportunity to share a funny story or remembrance about a loved one.
UNDERSTANDING TISSUE DONATION
Most individuals who die and donate are tissue donors. Tissue donation can save lives or improve the quality of life for many people. Tissue can be used to restore sight, save the lives of people with severe burns, or rebuild bone loss caused by cancer, severe injuries, joint disease and other conditions. We will discuss the uses of tissue donations, as well as how tissue is recovered, processed, stored, and used.
COPING WITH LOSS FOR TEENS
(Ages 13-17 only, please) This session offers teenagers an opportunity to share their grief and loss experiences with peers in a safe, confidential and non-threatening atmosphere.
SHARING GROUPS
Donor families will join sharing groups on a variety of topics. These groups will give families a chance to talk to other families who have had similar experiences. Families can choose one of the following topics:
- Going Forward Solo (coping with the death of a spouse or lifetime companion)
- Parental Grief (for those coping with the death of a child)
- Helping Children Who are Grieving
- Coping with the Death of a Brother or Sister (for adults)
- The First Year of Forever (for those who are newly grieving)
- Coping with Sudden and Accidental Death
- Open Sharing Groups (to talk about whatever is on your mind)
TRIBUTES FROM DONOR FAMILIES
The 2008 U.S. Transplant Games Program Journal will include written tributes from donor families to their loved ones. Donor families are invited to write a tribute. All tributes must be received by June 5, 2008.
How to send a Tribute:
- Please note that we can only accept one tribute per donor. If other family members or friends are attending the Games, please work with them to write your tribute together.
- Please send the following information, which will be printed in the Program Journal:
- Donor name: The donor’s full name (as it should be printed). Also, please indicate that the tribute is for a deceased donor.
- Family/Friends: Names of family members/friends to print with the tribute (For example, “The Hall Family” or “Janice and Mike Thomas” or “Mom and Dad”)
- Tribute: A tribute of 200 characters or less, including spaces. While it may be difficult to share your thoughts in so few words, tributes exceeding 200 characters will be edited to meet space restrictions. Poetry may also be re-formatted to fit the space. (The donor name and family/friends are not included in the 200 character limit).
- Include a contact name/phone/email in case of questions.
- When you register for the Games, you will have an opportunity to send a tribute. You may also email your tribute to donorfamily@kidney.org with “Donor Family Tribute” in the subject line. Or mail your tribute to: National Kidney Foundation, Attn: Donor Tributes, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.
- Remember that all tributes must be received by June 5, 2008.
