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Rebecca Noel: DJJ Employee Donates Kidney to Co-worker
Rebecca Noel (on right in photo) has worked with the Department of Juvenile Justice for over 23 years in many roles. In 2005, she became manager of the kitchen at Audubon Youth Development Center where she and her staff take an interest in the social development of every youth that comes through the line in the cafeteria. This is done through learning and addressing each youth by their name, ensuring the youth gain knowledge about a variety of food dishes on a daily basis in the dining experience, proper manners and attitude with staff and one another.
During her time with DJJ, Rebecca has developed numerous life-long friendships with co-workers and the youth that she serves. However, none of these friendships may be as life changing as one she made at the facility in 1998.
Sharon Jones (on left in photo) transferred to Cardinal Treatment Center from Johnson-Breckinridge facility upon its closing. It was then when Sharon and Rebecca met, and the two quickly became good friends while working together.
The friendship grew even stronger in 2008 when Sharon discovered her kidneys were failing. Upon hearing of her friends devastating news, Rebecca was by her side to offer her co-worker and friend compassion and support, but she did not stop there.
On July 16, 2008, Rebecca underwent surgery to give Sharon one of her kidneys. The surgery was successful, and today both women are back to work and continue to be an inspiration for us all.
Bone Marrow Donor Encourages Others to Get Tested, Save a Life
 Michael Oliver sees astronomical odds as just a minor distraction to be overcome. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1 Section Supervisor overcame the odds to become a bone marrow donor and he doesn't want anyone else to let the astronomical odds against being a match to stop anyone from signing up for the bone marrow registry.
Oliver’s friend Chris Smith has battled leukemia for several years and is need of a transplant. In an attempt to help, Oliver was tested and signed up for the bone marrow registry in April of last year. While he wasn't a match for Smith, the DNA testing indicated he matched a 50-year-old woman who was also fighting cancer.
"After the first swab, I didn't have much saliva left and so I swabbed again and I said, "Do you think that's enough to get some record of me?" Oliver recalled. "The technician replied, ‘Well, it's so astronomical that you would even match somebody that it's probably what you've given is good enough.’ So, when I got the call six weeks later that I was a match, I had to kind of think about it because I thought somebody might be giving me a prank call. But the more I talked to the volunteer on the phone the more they convinced me that I was a match, and I ended up helping somebody.
After confirming the initial match, Oliver faced a series of additional tests that confirmed he was a perfect match. That, in turn, prompted some soul-searching about going through a hospital stay and medical stimulation of his immune system required to donate bone marrow.
“The more I thought about it the more I realized that we were talking about someone’s wife, mother or daughter. We were talking about the ability to save someone’s life. That put things in perspective and actually made the decision pretty easy. How often do you get an opportunity to make a difference between life and death,” Oliver said.
After taking a week off work last fall to go through the donation process, Oliver says it was a life-enriching experience. To prepare for the transplant, Doctors gave Oliver medication to stimulate his marrow. They then killed off the recipient’s bone marrow and used his cells to replace it.
"I would encourage everybody to take time to be tested," Oliver said. "It takes less than 10 minutes to register and go through the initial DNA testing. Odds are you won’t match, but if you do it is a great opportunity to improve the life of someone else."
Oliver has joined Chris Smith’s wife Kelly in organizing and promoting bone marrow donor registry events around Western Kentucky. Since 2007, events coordinated by the Smith family have put more than 3,000 names on the national registry. Seven individuals who registered during the drives have matched people in need of marrow donations.
"This is really an emotional thing for me," Kelly Smith said. “Chris has not found a match. However, we’ve been able to register hundreds of people and that may eventually lead to match for him or someone else.”
The National Marrow Donor Program estimates that 30 percent of leukemia patients find suitable donors among family members. Others have to rely on finding unrelated donors.
Since becoming a donor, Oliver has learned the recipient is the same age as his mother.
"If my mom had leukemia and needed a transplant, I would hope that someone would take time to get on the registry and volunteer to donate," Oliver said.
For more information on becoming a bone marrow donor, click here.
Monroe County DCBS Promotes Child Abuse Awareness Month
For Child Abuse Awareness Month in April 2009, the Monroe County DCBS Protection and Permanency Office held several events to promote awareness in the community. Staff attended a proclamation signing at the court house and displayed pinwheels (a symbol of hope for Child Abuse Awareness month) in the courthouse yard along with blue ribbons at community partner’s offices and local businesses. Staff also held a coloring contest at each elementary school and winners receive gift certificates to participating restaurants.
Staff of the Monroe County Protection and Permanency office. First row (left to right) Erica Blevins, Sandra Fields and Shane Little; (Second Row) Tonya Bartley and MacShane Bartley.
2009 AmeriCorps Week Promotes Community Service
Build-A-Bed Project Tremendous Success
Governor Steve Beshear proclaimed May 9-16 AmeriCorps Week in Kentucky. As part of the annual observance, AmeriCorps programs across Kentucky sponsored special events to promote community service.
Beshear said AmeriCorps members are leaders who bring to light the positive effects of service. “AmeriCorps Week is an opportunity for the people of Kentucky to salute AmeriCorps members, past and current, for their powerful impact,” he said. “It’s also an opportunity to thank AmeriCorps community partners who make programs possible and to bring more Americans into service.”
In Kentucky, AmeriCorps is administered by the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS) in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Last program year, AmeriCorps members recruited and supervised more than 10,500 community volunteers in Kentucky, demonstrating the program’s value as a force multiplier. Since the Kentucky AmeriCorps program was launched in 1994, more than 4,000 Kentuckians have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to “get things done for America,” serving almost 6.5 million hours to improve the lives of vulnerable citizens, strengthen the education system, protect the environment and enhance public safety.
The current economic downturn means more Americans are facing hardships; and volunteering and national service are needed more than ever. “AmeriCorps members make lasting contributions to the people and communities they serve,” said Eileen Cackowski, KCCVS executive director. “AmeriCorps members deserve the recognition of AmeriCorps Week to make more people aware of the priceless service they perform and to promote the opportunities AmeriCorps offers to members.”
This year, two AmeriCorps programs, Strategically Using Creative Contexts to Ensure Student Success (SUCCESS) Corps, under the leadership of Angela Baldridge, and Family Resource and Youth Service Centers (FRYSC) Corps, managed by Heather Musinski, partnered on the Build-A-Bed project during AmeriCorps Week. Members from the two programs and about 100 community volunteers built, sanded and finished 57 twin-size beds to deliver to children in need around the state. In addition, "bedtime bags" containing items such as twin-size sheets, pajamas, bedtime books for kids, nightlights, pillows, blankets and teddy bears were delivered along with the beds.
During the year, both programs support families of local students. SUCCESS Corps members encourage early childhood development and greater parental involvement in education through home visitation and group parenting meetings. FRYSC Corps members serve through local Family Resource and Youth Services Centers as literacy tutors for students in kindergarten through high school.
Nearly $5,000 was raised to buy building materials, some of the mattresses and other supplies. There were five build sites across the commonwealth -- Berea, Hodgenville, Littcarr, Tollesboro and Walker.
Several businesses, including Toyota, Kohl’s, Lee’s Famous Recipe, Subway of Hindman, Lowe’s, Vittitow Lumber, Evan’s Hardware, Friends for Families, Cornett's Lumber and Hardware, People's Bank, Builder’s Choice, Manalapan Mining Company, Kroger, Do It Best Carter Lumber, ACE Hardware, Today's Dental, Wal-Mart, Red Hed Oil, Central Bank, CW Consulting, JC Penny's, Harlan Family Dentistry, Home Depot, Coleman’s Hardware, and Haskins Insurance helped with the project either through labor, discounts or donations. Transylvania University also supported the project, along with countless schools, PTO organizations and churches such as the congregations of New Hope Ministries Church of God in Corbin, New Covenant Community Church of Baxter and Grace Baptist Church in Garrison.
For example, Toyota provided a truck and driver to assist with delivery of the beds. Kohl’s donated $500 and five of Kohl’s employees built beds for one day at the Berea project site. Lee’s and Subway donated food for the volunteers on build days. Friends for Families donated 30 mattresses and Lowe’s provided supplies at a discounted rate.
“The creativity and resourcefulness of Kentucky AmeriCorps members never cease to delight and amaze me,” Cackowski said. “The Build-A-Bed AmeriCorps week project is what service is all about -- meeting needs and bringing together communities to make a real, tangible difference in people’s lives.”
With recent passage of federal legislation expanding AmeriCorps service, there was even more to celebrate during this AmeriCorps Week. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act is bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes the Corporation for National and Community Service and engages more Americans in service. The Act includes a major expansion of AmeriCorps to focus on critical national issues of education, health, clean energy, veterans and economic opportunity.
AmeriCorps members may serve one or two years. Upon completion of their service, members are eligible for an education award of $4,725 that can be used to pay back student loans or cover tuition costs. Kentucky AmeriCorps members have received more than $14.3 million in education awards since the program began.
Plans are under way to expand the Build-A-Bed project for the 2010 AmeriCorps Week. For more information about Kentucky’s AmeriCorps programs or AmeriCorps Week projects, call toll-free (800) 239-7404 or visit the KCCVS Web site.
KECC Kickoff
SAVE THE DATE!
Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign
Compassion at Work: Serving our Neighbors in Need!
Galaxy of Games Kickoff Event!
When: August 10, 2009 - 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Frankfort Convention Center
Purpose: To build awareness and excitement for the Campaign...and to HAVE FUN!!! This year's Kickoff theme is "Galaxy of Games!" Cabinets and Charities are joining together and facing off in six popular TV game shows to expand awareness of how the KECC embodies "Compassion at Work"!
Who's Invited: You! Cabinet and executive leadership support is vital to the success of the KECC. All state employees are invited to the event. This is an excellent opportunity to let them know that you are committed to serving our neighbors in need through the state campaign. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, visit the KECC Web site.
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