Page 11 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - April '24

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 11
Tampa General Hospital

Leads In Living-Donor Liver Transplants In Florida

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is leading the way in living- of the Comprehensive Liver • Research shows that recipients of living-donor organs
donor liver transplants in the state of Florida. In 2023, the Disease & Transplant Center. have better outcomes.
academic health system performed five lifesaving living-donor With a living-donor TGH is a top five transplant center by volume in the United
liver transplants, the most of any hospital in the Sunshine State. transplantation, a healthy States and is ranked one of the nation’s best hospitals by U.S.
The first occurred in May 2023, when Derek Sanz gave person volunteers a portion News & World Report in 2023/24. The living-donor liver
his mother, Patty, the ultimate Mother’s Day gift — half of of their liver to someone transplant program “is a prime example of Tampa General
his liver. After nearly a year, mother and son are healthy and whose liver is failing from continuing to drive innovation to deliver world-class health
grateful that the TGH Transplant Institute offers a living- end-stage disease or cancer. care,” said TGH President and CEO John Couris. “This
donor option. Without it, Patty might have waited anywhere After doctors remove the program opens up additional access to patients in need of a
from 30 days to five years for a deceased donor’s organ. donated portion, the donor’s liver transplant, and has the potential to transform the lives of
Livers are the second-most in-demand organ for transplants remaining liver regrows close patients and their families in the Tampa Bay region, Florida
(behind kidneys). About 10 percent of individuals on the to its full size and capacity and across the United States.”
national transplant waiting list are waiting for a liver. in a couple of months. The transplanted liver also grows, Both Patty and Derek Sanz have shared their experiences
Receiving a donation from a living donor shortens a restoring normal liver function to the recipient. to encourage others to consider a living-donor liver transplant
patient’s wait time and lessens chances that the liver’s The benefits of live-donor transplantation include: if they have a family member in need. “It worked for us and
condition will worsen. “Living-donor liver transplant is • Transplants take place quicker when a living donor is that’s why we want to get the word out there so that more
another avenue to save the lives of patients with liver disease available. people can be saved,” said Patty.
in our community,” said Dr. Kiran Dhanireddy, vice president • Hospitals schedule transplants based on the recipient’s For more information about the TGH Transplant Institute,
and chief of the TGH Transplant Institute and surgical director and donor’s availability. please call (561) 739-4TGH.

Get A Taste Of New Orleans from page 10 service or a private VIP Chalet with eight seats and table About Maddie’s Fight Foundation
under a tent, including cocktail service. These are available Founded in 2017, Maddie’s Fight Foundation is a fully
in the country. His original sound is a hybrid of second line, for purchase on Eventbrite. licensed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to
swamp funk, blues, and Zydeco with influences from Paul Tickets are $5 and children ages 12 and younger are free. providing financial assistance to families of children with
Butterfield, Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, The Meters, WAR, Sponsorship opportunities are available. General lawn seating cancer and to supporting research for osteosarcoma treatment.
J. Geils Band, Clifton Chenier and the Fabulous Thunderbirds; will also be available for those who would like to bring their Visit: www.maddiesfight.org.
the local band, Hot Sauce Moon performing Folk and Blues, own chair/blanket to enjoy the all-day entertainment. For more Calendar Listing
and J-Bird’s Value Meal Killah and The Snack Pack (from KVJ information visit www.cajuncrawfishmusicfestival.com. The Sixth Annual Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival
Show) will return to the festival. About Little Smiles (benefiting Little Smiles and Maddie’s Fight Foundation) is
“Two amazing charities will be on site all weekend at The This fun-filled, cultural event benefits Little Smiles. Little Saturday April 13 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, April 14
Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival. First, we have Maddie’s Smiles is a volunteer driven, nonprofit 501(c)(3) children’s from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Abacoa Amphitheater in Jupiter. The
Fight Foundation. They are incredible at helping families dealing charity. Their mission is to help heal hearts and create event is $5, children 12 and under free. VIP stage pod seating
with childhood cancer. Second, we have our beloved Little little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities to children and Creole Cottages are available. The event will be filled
Smiles, which helps children go through personal or medical impacted by serious illness, homelessness, or tragedy. With with authentic Cajun food featuring an expanded menu with a
crisis. Visit their booths to learn more about these children’s the guidance of local professionals such as doctors, nurses, crawfish boil, jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp po’ boys, and live New
charities. They will be on site creating awareness of their cause child life specialists and social workers, they strive to help Orleans and Cajun Zydeco music. For more information visit
and raising money,” said Virginia Sinicki, master of ceremonies. kids escape their unfortunate circumstances, even if only cajuncrawfishmusicfestival.com.
Experience Louisiana in style, reserve a VIP stage pod for a brief period of time. For more information visit www.
with four seats near the stage with a table including cocktail littlesmilesfl.org. Photos provided by Festival