Angel Cove Transplant Blog

10% Donated to Help Transplant Patients

2009-06-08T13:54:00.003-05:00

Angel Cove Donates 10% of Profits to Help Organ Transplant Patients and Recipients

Angel Cove will give a portion of all sales from its online store to help others pay for medical cost and expenses accrued as a result of organ transplantation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jun 08, 2009 – MILWAUKEE, WI – Angel Cove announced today that it will donated 10% of all profits from its online organ donation and transplant awareness shop to the UW-Madison Laurie Ferber fund which benefits heart and lung transplant patients at UW Hospital and Clinics by defraying the cost of accommodations, travel and other unexpected expenses.

This fund was established several years ago in honor of a lung transplant recipient to address to special needs of Heart and Lung Transplant recipients and their families. The money donated to this fund has been used in the past to provide a computer with Internet access to patients who are hospitalized, support of cardiopulmonary transplant patient events, and other general needs of our patients and their families including prescription and transplant procedure medical costs. All donations will support the continuing effort to provide funding for the special requests of heart and lung transplant recipients and their families.

"Our donation to the Laurie Ferber Fund will help strengthen the overall community and support needed for those waiting for their life-saving transplant, transplant recipients and the family that never leaves their sides. We are proud to be supporters of the effort to improve organ donation awareness and help those in their time of need. Having an organ transplant is stressful enough without having to worry about the money to pay for such expenses," said Shannon Steffen, Owner of Angel Cove and Wife of Bilateral Lung Transplant Recipient.

At Angel Cove, customers can view hundreds of organ donation and transplant awareness designs on a variety of products including sweatshirts, men’s clothing, women’s apparel, kid’s gear, mugs, bumper stickers, fashionable totes and so much more.

For more information on the Laurie Ferber Fund and to start raising organ donation awareness, please visit: http://www.angelcove.us

Organic Organ Donation Awareness Shirts!

2009-05-12T06:54:00.000-05:00

Awareness T-shirts Expanded to Brand New Line of Organic Clothing at Angel Cove

Angel Cove expands its line of Organ Donation Awareness T-shirts to include a brand new line of organic T-shirts, baby shirts and kids tees.

For Immediate Release

MILWAUKEE, WI – May 12, 2009 – Angel Cove announces the launch of its expanded line of organ donation and transplant awareness t-shirts, with a new line of organic shirts added to their already extensive selection. These T-shirts and infant bodysuits are 100% organic ultra-fine ring-spun cotton. This new line of organic products includes Organic Cotton Tees, Organic Mens T-Shirts, Organic Women's Shirts, Organic Womens Fitted Apparel, Baby Organic Bodysuits, Baby Organic Clothing, Organic Toddler T-Shirts, Organic Kid Shirts and Reusable Green Tote Bags with beautiful artistic designs help show your support for transplant recipients, organ donors, family and friends while remaining comfortable and eco-friendly.

“It’s a personal matter for me as I have seen what miracles organ donation can perform first-hand. That is why I offer hundreds of unique organ donation and transplantation health support designs with green ribbons and powerful slogans, including iSupport the Gift of Life, Be a Hero – Be An Organ Donor, and Peace-Love-Life. I feel strongly about continuing to do my part to bring awareness to this cause, and I am very proud to celebrate my 4th year doing so. We all need to do our part in raising awareness and this is just my way of helping others realize the impact one selfless act can have on others.” says Shannon Steffen, Angel Cove’s owner, designer, and wife of bilateral lung transplant recipient.

At Angel Cove, customers can view hundreds of organ donation and transplant awareness designs on a variety of products including sweatshirts, men’s clothing, women’s apparel, kid’s gear, mugs, bumper stickers, fashionable totes and so much more. Raise awareness today with http://www.angelcove.us.

About Angel Cove

Angel Cove is a small, privately owned company that creates and sells original organ donation and transplant awareness art and designs on quality apparel and gift items through the Internet. It is the goal of the company to deliver creative products that celebrate the gift of life and its impact on the lives of others. To date, the company has sold merchandise to customers in all 50 states online as well as International sales to Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Taiwan, Turkey and more. Visit http://angelcove.us for more information.

New Green Ribbon Awareness Penguin

2009-05-11T10:13:00.002-05:00

The green ribbon represents the environment, organ donation and many others messages. Show your support with an green ribbon t-shirt, hoodie, tote bag and more, perfect for penguin lovers.

Browse All Products >

Ounce of Prevention... Pound of Cure

2009-05-04T07:53:00.005-05:00

The Swine Flu has finally hit our little area of the world and it is touching a little too close to home.

No, we are not ones to run around screaming "the sky is falling" but we know when to take precautions. For instance, I was to attend a major seminar in our area today - a seminar I had been looking forward to for months - but knew better than to attend.

Sure, I know to wash my hands and to cough into my sleeve. I understand exactly what keeps us healthy and what can easily get us sick. However, when you have a person in your house that has been healthy for 4.5 years after receiving a double lung organ transplant, you know when the risk is too great to attend such events.

I don't believe one should hold up in the house and refuse to see another human being while this epidemic exists. Rather, it is about going into situations with your eyes wide open.

This specific event is taking place in the middle of our large city, in a room at a very large conference center, with hundreds of people who are not only from this area but have flown in from other places in the country. Some may have just gotten off their flight this very morning or last night. As airplanes are greater cause for concern, it is no wonder that I wouldn't subject myself to being in close proximity for an entire day with hundreds of people who could possibly be infected and not even know it.

So, for my husband's health and life, I have chosen to decline the event. Sure, I am disappointed but it is a small price to pay to keep him healthy during such a time. His health is priority and nothing is more important than that.

Surround Yourself with the Positive

2009-04-29T07:58:00.004-05:00

It is no surprise to say that times are tough. The economy is trying to keep its head afloat and businesses are going under faster than you can say: “Would you like fries with that?”

Now it is more important then ever to surround yourself with positive people and keep yourself in a positive mindset. The problem is that many don’t know what toxic people are and how they can negatively impact your health and well-being.

Signs of a Toxic Person

Complain all the time
Blame you for everything
Always overreacting
Drain your energy
Bombard you with negativity
Constant pessimism
Always make you angry
Leech off of you
Everything is about them all the time

Signs of a Toxic Person in Your Life

You never want to be around them
They always make you upset or cry
You have panic attacks around them
You dread being around them
You feel like you need to sleep, eat or drink after being around them
Life is better when you don’t see, hear from, or deal with them

Toxic people aren’t just your friends or family but can include coworkers, bosses, and even doctors. It is not uncommon to have one or more toxic person in your life that you rely on.

When times are tough, you need a positive support structure. Good health should never be second to having people in your life. There are times when a doctor may give you depressing news but have you ever noticed that some doctor overreact or are always pessimistic?

No one person can tell you how you should live your life or how much time you have in this world. No one can tell you how you should feel or ever make you second-guess yourself.

This is your life, your health and your opportunity to surround yourself with those that add value to your life. If your doctor is a toxic person, find another one. If your friend is always dragging you down or cannot provide the support you need, open yourself to other friends. If your coworkers are constantly bombarding you with negativity, find another job or remove yourself from associating with them on a personal level.

This life is about you. No matter what the world may throw at you, it is up to you to take control over how you react to things in life. You owe it to yourself to surround yourself with life and love – not negativity and a toxic breeding ground.

Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover

2009-04-27T08:13:00.003-05:00

My grandmother raised me to never judge a book by its cover. This sentiment seems to come full circle every so often and acts as a reminder as to what is truly important in life.

For example, the recent main stream love affair with Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent has caused a world to come face-to-face with this old adage once again. By looking at Susan, you would think she was just a normal middle-age woman with not spectacular talent or gifts to give this world. Yet, when she is done serenading the world with rendition of opera classic, the world cannot help but stand there with its jaw on the floor. Susan Boyle's book cover is nothing special and can easily be ignored but when you open that book you better get a box of tissues because your heart will flood with emotions never felt before.

Listening to Susan Boyle made chime my grandmother's old saying once again and caused me to look at those times in my life where the book cover was hardly worth a second look but once the book was cracked, it was difficult to put down.

That leads me to my husband of 10 years. He is not only my knight in shining armor and best friend but the strongest person I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life. His book cover says demonstrates nothing special - just a normal guy that goes to work every day and makes a living. Beneath the cover is a man that survived a childhood terminal illness called Cystic Fibrosis, watched his older sister pass from that very disease at the age of 16, was picked on throughout childhood for being "different" and geeky, was deathly ill for years and even on life support for 9 months of his young adult life and lastly, but most importantly, survived a 3.5-year wait for a double lung transplant while struggling for air each and every day.

On the cover, he is like everyone else. Just look under the cover, no deeper than under his shirt, and you will see there is a powerful book just waiting to be read. The strength and determination - the will the live and experience life - the will to never give up - and, most importantly, the will to love and experience being loved.

So, next time you see someone's book cover and think you already know how the story reads, give yourself a chance to read deeper for you never know what you may find hidden behind that non-descriptive cover. That person may be the book that changes your life!

Federal Organ Donation?

2009-04-20T06:04:00.001-05:00

I was just Twittering around yesterday and searched on "organ donation" to see if anyone else Twitters as much about the subject as I do. The title on one person's message stood out: "And Now: Federal Organ Donation".

What?!?

Following the link, I came across this article "Federal organ donation plan faces local opposition" recently published in a local newspaper. I was in shock as I read through the article and realized that, indeed, the federal government wants to mandate that organs donated be sent out of the state of origin.

The current procedure of organ transplant works in a very simple and logical manner.

"Under the existing rules, the neediest and most appropriate patient in the state receives the donor organ."

The closest hospital to the organ donor receives the first call and if no recepient can be found, then the next closest transplant hospital is called and so on until a suitable match has been found. By following this procedure, my own husband received his donated lungs from just over Lake Michigan in Detroit (we are in Milwaukee).

However, 75% of donated organs stay within the state in which the organ donor has passed. It is possible, with this new plan, that families will be less likely to donate organs if they are leaving their own state.

It seems that the government does not understand that not only will the rate of organ donors be affected but also that the viability of the organs may also suffer. Every minute an organ is in transport to a recipient - every minute it is without blood supply - its viability decreases. In essence, the longer it takes to get to its new home, the more the tissue and organ dies. This increases an already high risk for the patient for the organ to not revive or for the recipient to have transplant rejection.

The current organ donation network procedure allows for greater possibility of a long and healthy life after transplant... so why fix what is not broken?

Hospital systems are asking patients, donor families and other concerned members of the community to voice their opposition to the proposal by April 24 at www.notacoalition.org.

Organ Donors Needed!

2009-04-13T09:59:00.002-05:00

April is National Donate Life Month. This encompasses all type of donations from organs, blood, tissue, to bone marrow.

Organ donation, in particular, is very near and dear to my heart. In 2004, my wonderful husband received the gift of life through an angel donor in Detroit, Michigan. We don't know the donor family but we do know how to selfless gift of donating a set of lungs for my husband has changed our lives.

My husband was not a smoker nor did he catch something that caused his lungs to fail. He was born with a disease called Cystic Fibrosis which is known well as a childhood terminal disease. Sadly, most do not make it past their teenage years and my husband has been very lucky and blessed to make it to his late 20's before needing a miracle bilateral lung transplant.

It is for that reason that we continue to raise awareness for others to received their own miracle. That is why it is so important for you to sign your driver's license and tell your family about how you want to pass the gift of life onto others.

Organ, blood, tissue and bone marrow donors are needed. Become an organ donor today and help us raise awareness so that others may realize the gift of life!

April is National Donate Life Month! Save Today!

2009-04-01T08:49:00.001-05:00

April is here and with it comes National Donate Life month! Now is the perfect time to grab a new organ donation or transplant awareness T-shirt, mug or bumper sticker to show our support in raising awareness for Organ and Tissue donation. Check out the entire line of Angel Cove's Organ and Tissue Transplant Donation Awareness products today! We have beautiful designs on t-shirts and gifts to help you spread awareness in your own way! Be sure to use either of the following coupon codes to save today on your order!

Free Shipping on orders $50 or more!
Coupon Code: EASTER1
Expires: April 1, 2009 (Midnight PST)

$5 off orders $50 or more!
Coupon Code: DWELTREACH
Expires: April 4, 2009 (Midnight PST)

Thank You and God Bless!
Shannon
(wife of 4-years post-bilateral lung transplant recipient)

Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness
http://www.angelcove.us

iSupport My Cause

2009-03-19T08:34:00.007-05:00

Record Set for Lung Transplant Recipient

2009-03-09T07:03:00.002-05:00

THE 67-YEARS old South Sligo woman who is now the world’s longest living single lung transplant patient will be giving thanks this weekend when she celebrates the 20th anniversary of what was the first ever operation of its kind. On May 18th, 1988, with only days to live, Vera Dwyer, Carrowcrory, Keash, had the history-making surgery in Harefield Hospital, London.

THE 67-YEARS old South Sligo woman who is now the world’s longest living single lung transplant patient will be . . .

[Read Full Article Here]

1 Year Reprieve from Transplant Clinic

2009-03-03T08:59:00.003-06:00

Every 6 months my wonderful husband, Greg, drives 2 hours each way to his transplant clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. The UW-Madison Transplant Hospital is one of the top in the nation and they have been instrumental in his continued good health that he doesn't really mind the drive.

However, yesterday I received his normal "I'm on my way home" call, which included a very high-pitched man on the other end of the phone. "Everything went well and guess what!? I don't have to come back for another full year!" A huge smile crossed my face as the last 4.5 years post transplant flooded back to me. In all that time, he has continued to get stronger and his lung function has been steadily increasing even though the doctors told us he would max out 6 months after his bilateral lung transplant. Ha! If only they knew how determined he was to reach well over the 90% lung function goal he had set for himself!

My heart is still racing. A 1-year reprieve from the transplant clinic not only means less money that we have to spent on a very expensive clinic visit but that even the doctor acknowledge that he is doing so well that he doesn't even need them. Sure, he still needs his 13 prescriptions and his 10-day a month inhaled medication (to ensure any bugs in his sinus cavities don't travel to his new lungs) but they trust in his excellent health and his ability to do what needs to be done that they don't have to see him!

Wonderful, wonderful news! I pray that every post transplant patient can experience such joy and, of course, we both thank his angel donor and donor's family for the gift of a lifetime!

Because you asked...

2009-02-24T10:39:00.001-06:00

So many of you commented on my note looking for people to join my Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk 2009 team - stating that you were too far to join the team but wanted to make a donation. With my personal goal set to $3,000, here it is!

To make a tax-deductible donation, visit http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/ShannonSteffen5260 and use the "Click to Donate" button on the top of the page.

Remember, this is for my wonderful husband Greg, his angel sister Diana, his two younger cousins with CF and the 30,000+ other children and young adults with this disease. With the average life expectancy of 37 years old, your donation will help us to raise the bar!

God Bless and many, many thanks!

Shannon
"CF Fighters" Team Leader

Join us at the Milwaukee Zoo May 17th!!

2009-02-15T13:55:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year again for our annual Great Strides walk to Cure Cystic Fibrosis (CF) event and we need walkers. Not only do you raise money for a great cause but you have a chance at earning some great prizes, get free food and a day free at the Milwaukee Zoo!

For more information and to sign up today, visit http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/ShannonSteffen5260

Remember, this is for my husband Greg, his angel sister Diana, his two younger cousins with CF and the 30,000+ other children and young adults with this disease. With the average life expectancy of 37 years old, let's do our part to raise the bar!

God Bless!

Help Angel Cove Help Others!

2008-12-29T09:10:00.003-06:00

(3% Donated from Every Product Purchased)

Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness Shop is an avid supporter of Organ Donation and Transplant awareness and donates 3% of all its profits to the Laurie Ferber Fund at the University of Wisconsin (UW) Transplant Center.

About the Laurie Ferber Transplant Fund

The Laurie Ferber Transplant Fund benefits heart and lung transplant patients at UW Hospital and Clinics by defraying the cost of accommodations, travel and other unexpected expenses. This fund was established several years ago in honor of a lung transplant recipient to address to special needs of Heart and Lung Transplant recipients and their families. The money donated to this fund has been used in the past to provide a computer with internet access to patients who are hospitalized, support of cardiopulmonary transplant patient events, and other general needs of our patients and their families. Your gift will support our continuing effort to provide funding for the special requests of heart and lung transplant recipients and their families. One hundrea percent (100%) of the donations go directly back to the patients.

Transplant at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics is one of the world's foremost organ transplant programs. UW Health physicians are recognized experts in their field, providing care to patients in our heart, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, intestine, islet cell and pediatric transplant programs.

We are a member of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, Coalition on Donation, the United Network for Organ Sharing, and the Wisconsin Coalition on Donation.

If It Hurts, Stop!

2008-12-15T08:36:00.003-06:00

Why is it that some people are highly stubborn and don't know what is good for them?

Recently, we had a bit of a scare when my husband, a double-lung transplant recipient, told me that he was feeling tightness in his chest. He requested that I change the furnace filter thinking something was in the air duct and causing breathing problems for him.

It wasn't like he was gasping for air nor did his spirometry show any signs of distress. Rather it was just a feeling that was uncomfortable and he couldn't shake it.

After a day, we linked the problem to his Colistin inhalation treatment. After his transplant, he was put on Colistin for 10-days out of every month to ensure that any "bugs" in his nasal cavity would not infect his new lungs. However, my wonderful husband failed to tell me that although Colistin worked great with his old CF lungs, his new lungs have had a problem with tightness caused by the medication for the full 4 years after his transplant.

Excuse me? He continues to inhale this medication every month even though it caused tightness in his chest from the beginning? Why in the world would anyone continue a medication that has such a side effect?

As it turns out, the tightness has been getting worse over the years and he thought it was just a side effect he had to live with. That is plain wrong - no one should ever live with such a side effect and should discuss it with their doctor immediately.

Needless to say, he is in such talks with his transplant clinic and they are finding an alternate drug to keep him healthy and strong. He has discontinued the Colistin and can breathe once again...

Missing Info on Drugs Can Hurt You

2008-12-12T08:12:00.002-06:00

What You Don't Know About a Drug Can Hurt You
Untold Numbers of Clinical-Trial Results Go Unpublished; Those That Are Made Public Can't Always Be Believed

There's a common assumption that when a drug makes it to market, it has run a rigorous gantlet of testing and proper disclosure. Testing, yes. Disclosure -- not necessarily.

Findings from many clinical studies assessing prescription drugs never see light of day. That skews the basic scientific record that every patient, physician and researcher needs to judge whether treatments cause more harm than good. There is no easy way to discover... [Read Full Article]

Free Shipping Today Only!

2008-12-01T09:30:00.003-06:00

Happy Cyber Monday!

With our late Thanksgiving holiday, your shopping days are numbered. Find gifts today and save at the Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness Shop!

Sale: Free Shipping on ALL US orders!
Use Coupon Code: FEMHOL14
Ends: December 1, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

The Truth about Gratitude

2008-11-27T10:32:00.002-06:00

A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne
Creator of The Secret

The greatest thief of human happiness and abundance is ungratefulness. Any lack in our lives - whether in money, health, or relationships - is simply the evidence of a lack of gratitude. If you focus on lack you are not being grateful, and that will bring more lack into your life. Yet the simple state of radiating gratitude summons everything to you.
No matter who you are or where you are, you can change your life with gratitude, but you must feel it with your whole heart and radiate it from every cell. Gratitude is not a mental exercise, and in fact, if you simply use your mind for gratitude it will have little or no power. True gratitude comes from your heart! You must think gratitude through your heart, speak gratitude through your heart, and feel it intensely in your heart.

Then practice gratitude relentlessly. As you practice gratitude you will attract more thoughts and feelings of gratitude. In a short time your entire being will be saturated with it, and you will experience a happiness that is beyond what you can imagine. This is what is ahead for you when you choose gratitude as your way of life. And if you can really live in this highest state of gratitude, you will never have to ask for anything. Everything you want will be given to you before you even ask, because gratitude is the magnetic substance that opens every single door in the Universe.

This Thursday is Thanksgiving in the United States. To celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to share an excerpt with you from The Secret Daily Teachings, which is being released in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia on December 9th. This excerpt presents an easy way to start using gratitude and integrate it into your life by making every Thursday "Thank You Thursday." As you "Thank your way through every Thursday" you will open the most powerful receiving channel within you.

From The Secret Daily Teachings - Thank You Thursday

"Today is Thank You Thursday. Today and every Thursday is your day to say and feel "Thank you" in as many ways as you can.

Write a list of all the people and events you want to give thanks for.

Return thanks today to those who have done things for you.

As you walk say "Thank you" in your mind with each step you take.

As you drive, make each time you stop your cue to say "Thank you."

At various times in the day, think and feel "Thank you" inside you seven times in a row.

Look for every opportunity to say "Thank you" to other people, and say it with so much meaning that the person looks right at you.

Thank your way through every Thursday, and make "Thank you" your predominant thought, feeling, and words of the day.

"Thank you" - two words, inconceivable potential power, and all they need is you to put the power into them by expressing them.

Thank you!"

Greatest Gift Features Angel Cove

2008-11-13T08:44:00.003-06:00

The Greatest Gift Foundation's Blog
November 13, 2008

Wisconsin resident and graphic designer Shannon Steffen wanted to champion the cause of organ transplants, and thank the selfless acts of organ donors and their families, after her beloved husband received his successful double-lung transplant in November 2004... [Full Blog Post]

Free Shipping on all Awareness Gifts!

2008-11-12T10:33:00.001-06:00

The holiday season is right around the corner! What better way to celebrate the holidays by giving a gift from the heart while continuing to spread awareness!

Check out our extensive line of organ donation and transplant gifts at Angel Cove today and make sure to use coupon code below for extra savings!

Current Special: Free Shipping When You Spend $50 Or More!
Use Coupon Code: CPAFFSHP50CC (Expires Soon!)

God's Will is Undefined

2008-10-20T07:05:00.000-05:00

By: Predist R. Walker

Just started a new life protecting and saving others,
wearing a badge of the law, with the backing of 348 brothers.

After an early morning run, I became very ill,
the kind of sickness, which could not be fixed with a pill.

Many doctor’s visited, with no answers in sight,
A Dialated Cardiomyopathy? What’s that was the question for God that night.

3 months waiting, and finally put on the list,
God’s will, skilled surgeons, all blessed, and me with the will to exist.

Now thanks to Michael, who gave me the precious gift of life,
Every day thanks to Dr. Crandall, my kids, and my loving wife.

Transplantation works, I am living proof,
19 years alive, strong, and happy, and as my kids would say, being a Goof.

To all my brothers and sisters out there, just keep in mind,
Today is always the first, live it, love it, It’s your life, God’s will is undefined.

The Gift

2008-10-13T07:03:00.000-05:00

By: Karen Weddick

I received a gift back in ’72
It came from someone I never knew.

It came with no card, ribbon or bows
But sent to me that’s all I know.

It didn’t arrive in a box or sack
And is a gift one would never send back.

The gift in size is rather small
Compared to its power to conquer all.

You’ll never hold this gift in your hand
It’s given to people throughout the land...

This beautiful gift has set me free
What a precious gift and given to me.

This gift was given out of selfless love
And delivered to me with help from above.

These gifts are so priceless, valuable and few
When you know of this gift, you will agree too.

With this gift I can hold my head high
To dream the impossible and reach for the sky.

This gift has taught me to scream and shout
Now let me tell you what this gift is about.

This gift will not be taken in strife
The gift I speak of is that of life.

The gift of life handed me a key
It opened doors and set me free.

Organs aren’t needed at your final destination
Leave them on Earth without hesitation.
Every human will someday be called to come home
Your organs may stay and continue to roam.

No need for organs in the heavens above
Leave them on Earth for others to love.

Now that all has been said and done
Please donate your organs and give life to one.

Let’s spread the news let’s scream and shout
Organ donation is what it’s all about!

Destiny

2008-10-06T07:01:00.001-05:00

By: Terri L. Willis

You sent me chasing after this destiny
Impossible as it once seemed,
I'm told, it is something I have to do

Unsure of why I accepted it,
questioning what I'm getting into
I took you up on that destiny
Never thinking where it would lead me
or what it would teach me

Fear of enduring the unknown
Unsure of that something unseen
Many times, I've wanted to walk away
calling an end to all of this senseless pain

Try as I have to fight and ignore it
you're always there, you won't let me
you remind me, "You have my gift, use it."

Just when I think "I can't", I think of you and can.
My own faith and insanity have taken me far
but no matter how far I've got, it's never enough
You're always there; never allowing me to stay content.
The question remains "What next?"
Now I know why I accepted that destiny

I've come to see, what it's about
I'm the only one who will ever stop me.
No matter what I have to go through
I will always find a way to get there
It's that impossible that keeps me
and brings me back for more
Thank you for giving me your destiny

I've got myself into your gift
Letting it be known and seen
Life...It works...Live it and give it

Organ Donor Penguin

2008-10-02T07:54:00.002-05:00

New Design:
Organ Donor Penguin

Purchase this design and more Organ Donor Family Shirts section on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today!

An Angel on My Tree

2008-09-29T07:58:00.000-05:00

By: JoAnne Weitzman

An Angel on My Tree!

Somewhere tucked amongst the branches.

Is something that was planted,
it signifies a gift: given to me that I'll never take for granted.

It is precious to me,
as precious can be.

It is shiny and bright, and becomes luminous at night.
It is lit all year, to bring me cheer.

It represents:
A heart full of Love, a gift from God above.

You see it's an angel on My Tree which means everything to me!

Because of a "SPECIAL Giver"
I received a "NEW LIVER.

Take the Positive Path

2008-09-24T06:11:00.002-05:00

A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne
Creator of The Secret

What is the answer to every difficult circumstance in life?
Take the positive path.

Choosing the positive path can be easy at some times in our life and more difficult at other times. When everything is going along well, when we are on a roll, choosing the positive path just flows through us as an easy, natural choice. When something negative comes along it can be far more challenging for us to choose the positive path. But choose it we must! No matter how challenging the negativity may be, there is simply no other way to bring our lives back into positivity.

If negative situations appear, you must use your will and refuse to lower yourself to negative thoughts, words, actions, and emotions. Use your will and decide that not only will you focus on the positive, but you will ramp up the positive in every thought, word, and action of your day.

It takes determination, strength, faith, and the power of your will to focus on the positive when intense negativity descends, but remember that the Universe and the law of attraction are with you. As you focus on the positive, focus more on the positive, think of the positive, speak of the positive, and take positive and good actions, the law of attraction will give your life wings. Suddenly you will look around you and you will find that the negativity has gone, and that your life has been filled with goodness and joy.

I Accept This Gift

2008-09-22T07:56:00.000-05:00

By: Brenda White

I'm only thirteen
Is there a future to be
I don't understand
why this happened to me

My kidney are gone
My life's a mess
My nerves are shot
I'm worried I confess

Then comes the routine
Dialysis day by day
I hate the pain
But there's no other way

Then on to a list
My name will go
How quick to find a match
Is something I don't know

The phone finally rings
With a message for me
Your life can now change
We've found a match you see

The overwhelming feelings
Of fear and shame
Of taking from another
This precious gift that came

How can I take it
Keep it all for myself
When so many others
Suffer critical health

I guess this gift of life
Has been chosen for me
It's meant to be accepted
How thankful can I be

This life saving gift
Has kept me alive
Removed some of the pain
And helped me to thrive

My heart says thank you
I'm sad I know you not
Your a giving, loving soul
In which from you new life I've got

I hope some day
I can meet you in the sky
And hug you and thank you
And together we can fly

iSupport, iLive and iGave

2008-09-19T07:41:00.001-05:00

New Designs:
iSupport Life
iSupport Transplants
iGave Life
iLive Bone Marrow
iLive Heart
iLive Heart/Lung
iLive Intestine
iLive Kidney
iLive Liver
iLive Lung
iLive Multi Organ
iLive Pancreas
iLive

iSupport the gift of life. Perfect way to show you are an organ donation and transplant awareness supporter in bold green and black text with a green awareness ribbon. Other designs state 'iLive because of my ___ organ donor" and "iGave the gift of life" for living organ transplant donors.

Purchase these designs and more organ donation awareness designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today and be sure to use coupon code SPKUPSHIP50 for FREE SHIPPING on your purchase of $50 or more!

Take Care of Your New Organs!

2008-09-18T08:19:00.003-05:00

It is common for post transplant patients to forget their scheduled tests and medical therapies; especially after a few years of being healthy. However, it seems the important has been understated by some health professionals.

Years ago, I remember the transplant hospital explaining to us the importance of organ transplant recipients to check their temperature, blood pressure and spirometry every day. It is through those three main daily tests that patients are signaled early on about some problem that may be occurring.

Over the year though, people tend to forget to do these tests or get bored with doing them every day. Although it doesn't hurt to go a few days or even a few weeks without performing these medical tests at home, it is important to do them from time to time just to make sure.

For example, given my husband's double-lung (bilateral) transplant almost 4 years ago, he does not perform this spirometry except for once in a while. Recently he was working on remodeling our basement when I realized that some of the time he was not wearing his mask. To calm my fears, I requested that he do his spirometry in the morning to double check that nothing was bothering them without his knowledge. He did and I am happy to report that it was 3.6 which is very, very good.

Sure, he doesn't check his lung functions at home except for once in a blue moon these days but if he is doing something out of the normal or doesn't feel well in this slightest, his machines are turned on and used immediately. We leave nothing to chance as we want these new lungs to last another 50 years at least!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2008-09-16T09:08:00.001-05:00

I know it isn't organ donation or transplant awareness but October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it is near and dear to our hearts. Not only do I personally have 2 aunts that are breast cancer survivors but at this time, my husband's grandmother is battling Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Therefore, we have added a section to our Organ Donation Awareness site to help promote Breast Cancer Awareness! We hope you will take the time to visit our Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts and Gifts Section to show your support to all of those strong woman survivors! And remember to use coupon code SPKUPSHIP50 for FREE SHIPPING on your order of $50 or more!

Grateful Organ Recipient

2008-09-11T12:26:00.003-05:00

New Design:
Grateful Organ Recipient

Those that are living miracles and thankful to their heroes for new life. A collection of beautiful designs for organ donation recipients. Perfect transplant gift ideas to display your own personal experience on how organ donation has impacted your life. Bring organ transplant awareness through these unique artistic designs on a variety of t-shirts and gifts.

Purchase this design and more living miracle designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today and be sure to use coupon code SUITEDWHITE for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through September 16rd, 2008!

Fundraising for Transplant Support

2008-09-08T10:21:00.004-05:00

A woman who had a heart and lung transplant 19 years ago is asking people to fundraise so she can help more transplant patients who need support.

Nicola Langlands, 32, of Pevensey Bay, was born with two heart chambers and one valve, half of the heart she should have had.

She was the 12th child in the UK to have the double transplant, which she was given at Harefield Hospital in Middlesex.

Nicola, now a wife and mother to 10-year-old Megan, said, "Last October I became very ill and was taken in to Harefield again.

"At that time in my life I started to think really hard about the transplant, how it really had affected me and how it would be good to meet and talk to people who have also had transplants.

"So when I got home I set up a website for adults and children who have had a transplant, to help them deal with issues that may pop up after their transplant and most of all to make new friends.

"I myself found it very hard to deal with not be able to talk to someone like me who had a transplant, just to know that there was someone out there that was also going through what I went through."

September 17 marks the 19th anniversary of Nicola's transplant and she wants to celebrate by getting more people to join the website, www.lookbeyondtheheart.com, and help her fundraise so she can put posters about the website in all the UK's transplant units.

She eventually wants to register Look Beyond the Heart as a charity, which will cost £5,000, and help to pay for wheelchairs, equipment and days out for members.

Crosspost

Cystic Fibrosis Ribbon Hope

2008-09-04T14:33:00.001-05:00

New Design:
Cystic Fibrosis Ribbon Hope

Purchase this design and more Cystic Fibrosis Awareness T-Shirts & Gifts on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today and be sure to use coupon code SUITEDNICKEL for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through September 11th, 2008!

Transplant Survivor

2008-09-01T07:41:00.001-05:00

New Design:
Transplant Survivor

Transplant Survivor. Complete with a green line to emphasize how important it is to support organ donation awareness with a green awareness ribbon.

Purchase this design and more living miracle designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today and be sure to use coupon code SECANTSIMPLE for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through September 3rd, 2008!

Additional Angel Cove Coupon Codes
Use coupon code: Cafepoa540 - $5 off orders over $40
Use coupon code: Cafepoa1075 - $10 off orders over $75
Use coupon code: Cafepoaship6 – Free shipping on orders over $60

Breast Cancer Survivor

2008-08-28T08:43:00.002-05:00

New Design:
Breast Cancer Survivor

Breast Cancer Survivor. Complete with a pink line to emphasize how important it is to be involved in breast cancer awareness with a pink awareness ribbon.

Purchase this design and more breast cancer awareness designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today and be sure to use coupon code SECANTSIMPLE for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through September 3rd, 2008!

Additional Angel Cove Coupon Codes
Use coupon code: Cafepoa540 - $5 off orders over $40
Use coupon code: Cafepoa1075 - $10 off orders over $75
Use coupon code: Cafepoaship6 – Free shipping on orders over $60

Why so healthy?

2008-08-25T08:35:00.003-05:00

Why not?

Yes, there are a number of transplant patients that get sick or even die after their life-saving organ or tissue transplant. What makes Greg different then the masses that have gone through the same miracle?

I have asked my husband this a couple of times over the years. From time to time I will mention a friend who has become ill or a news article that I read recently where someone overcomes all the odds. His answer is so simple and yet so powerful - he doesn't think about illness. There is absolutely no room for it in his life or thoughts. He lives by the Law of Attraction. What he thinks about, good or bad, will come to be in his life.

It is not so much of saying "I don't want to be sick" as you are thinking about sickness and therefore will get more illness. It is more of thinking you are a healthy and vibrant being and not only saying but also feeling this to the core of your being that brings more health your way.

With everything that Greg has overcome in his life, he dwells not on the possibility of more illness in his future but rather takes a deep breath and allows himself to feel his new lungs expanding with an over abundance of health. No thoughts of illness, in one way or another enter his mind. Even if he is feeling a bit run down, he never utters the words "I am sick" or "I am tired" but rather "I am healthy" and "I am full of energy". With those thoughts, the universe hears and delivers more health and energy.

The secret to my husband's 3.5 years of post transplant health without so much as even an ounce of rejection - the law of attraction. If the negative doesn't exist and is never given weight, then the positive will become more powerful and continue to rein supreme.

Going To Win

2008-08-21T07:06:00.001-05:00

New Design:
Going to Win Breast Cancer

Uplift someone who is going through breast cancer with our GOING TO WIN design featuring a pink chick with boxing gloves. She/You are going to win! On T-shirts, apparel and more! PinkInkArt original!

Purchase this design and more breast cancer awareness designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today and be sure to use coupon code SECANTSEEMED for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through August 26th, 2008!

Transplant Update & the Olypmics

2008-08-18T08:20:00.004-05:00

Every 6 months my husband has a post-transplant clinic appointment. He spends the entire day at the UW-Madison hospital where he undergoes a chest x-ray, PFTs, blood tests, a 6-minute walk and a meeting with his transplant coordinator and doctor.

Once again he passed all his tests with flying colors. His lung function is holding steady at a whopping 93% and he is able to walk circles around the hospital. His new lungs are evident that waiting 3.5 years and having 5 dry runs is worth its weight in gold. And, it is always great fun to hear his call from his cell phone on the way home (2-hour drive) to let me know how everything went. You can actually hear the smile on his face.

This time, he threw me for a loop during his call home. It seems that the hospital has extended an invite to the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games! That's right! He is one of their most healthiest patients so they think it would be a wonderful idea for him to become one of the athletes for Team Wisconsin when the games are held in Madison, Wisconsin that year.

Of course, given that they are being held in the hometown of his transplant and the fact that his health is doing wonderfully, he decided to get more information on it. Once he found out that there is an event in golf, his smile got huge and we are now training for the 2010 Transplant Games! Yes, I say "we" because there is a 5K event open to both transplant recipients and their families so I will be running in the 5K event that year!

This is just too awesome for words. Us - in the Transplant Olympic Games - how awesome is that!? It was not only a miracle for my wonderful husband to get his transplant but now to be an athlete in an once-in-a-lifetime event! All I can say is life is good!

Hero Line Collection

2008-08-15T09:36:00.002-05:00

New Design:
Hero Line

Be a Hero. Be an Organ Donor. Complete with a green line to emphasize how important it is to be involved in organ donation with a green transplant awareness ribbon.

Purchase this design and more organ donation awareness designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today and be sure to use coupon code SECANTGARDEN for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through August 21st, 2008!

Organ Donation Awareness Shirts Sale!

2008-08-12T08:17:00.002-05:00

Current Special: Save $5 When You Spend $50 Or More!
Use Coupon Code: SECANTFIVER (Expires: Aug 13, 2008)
-or-
Use coupon code: Cafepoa540 - $5 off orders over $40
Use coupon code: Cafepoa1075 - $10 off orders over $75
Use coupon code: Cafepoaship6 – Free shipping on orders over $60

Shop www.AngelCove.us Today!

Donor Bug Collection

2008-07-31T12:12:00.001-05:00

New Design:
Donor Bug Collection

The adorable bee on these products helps to spread the word of organ donation in a kid friendly way. Simply stated in an arts and crafts way: "Be an organ donor" with the Bee acting on behalf of the first word.

Purchase this design and more organ donation awareness designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today remember to use coupon code PONIESSIMPLE for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through August 3rd, 2008!

Donor Bug Too Collection

2008-07-29T12:06:00.002-05:00

New Design: Donor Bug Too Collection

This happy little lady bug carries the green organ donation and transplant awareness ribbon to honor all the heroes of organ donation. The bright colors in this fun design are sure to attract attention!

Purchase this design and more organ donation awareness designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today remember to use coupon code PONIESSIMPLE for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through August 3rd, 2008!

Nifty Awareness Feebies!

2008-07-28T11:47:00.004-05:00

Want some Angel Cove Organ Donation and Transplant Awareness Freebies??

Then head yourself over to the Wisconsin State Fair which runs from July 31st - August 10th!

Every year the Wisconsin Donor Network sets up a booth at the state-wide event in order to help further raise awareness of organ donation and transplantation. This year, they have extended a great honor to Angel Cove by displaying some of our products and promotional material at their booth - FREE to all that stop by!

Not only is there a nifty little awareness support freebie in our promotional packet but a little something extra special that will put some money back in your pocket while supporting this awesome cause. I won't ruin the surprise - you will just have to stop by their booth at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and see for yourself!

New Sorting Feature

2008-07-22T12:23:00.003-05:00

What is this? Angel Cove has turned its unorganized hodgepodge of a shop into an organized, orderly, categorized awareness machine! After all, if it's easier to find, it's easier to buy and raise awareness, right?

How did we do this? Well, we worked a little coding language and now have each awareness product page sorted by category. Now you only need look under your preferred product type to find what you are looking for.

Our product categories include:

Men's & Unisex Apparel
Woman's Apparel
Junior's Apparel
Kid's Apparel
More Clothing (Hats, Dog T-shirts, etc)
Housewares
Stickers, Magnets, and Buttons
Cards & Prints

Just click on the design that suits your awareness interest at Angel Cove and the products will automatically sort for you!

New Awareness Causes

2008-07-18T10:42:00.002-05:00

Beautiful designs and gifts to promote the overall and general importance of your awareness cause. Perfect gift ideas to display your own personal experience on how these diseases and social causes have impacted your life. Bring awareness through these unique artistic designs on a variety of t-shirts and gifts.

Angel Cove is proud to announce the expansion of our awareness products to include the following new social cause sections:

Alopecia Awareness
Animal Abuse Awareness
Arthritis Awareness
Bipolar Disorder Awareness
Bladder Cancer Awareness
Cerebral Palsy Awareness
Child Abuse Awareness
Colon Cancer Awareness
Crohn's Disease Awareness
Depression Awareness
Domestic Violence Awareness
Environmental Awareness
Fibromyalgia Awareness
Kidney Cancer Awareness
Kidney Disease Awareness
Leukemia Awareness
Liver Cancer Awareness
Liver Disease Awareness
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
Spina Bifida Awareness
Support Our Troops
Tourette's Syndrome Awareness

Purchase these designs and more health awareness designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today remember to use coupon code PONIESDIPPER for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through July 22nd, 2008!

$4 Off All Jr. Jersey T-shirts!

2008-07-14T14:21:00.003-05:00

Jr. Jersey Sell Out Sale!

Turn heads in our hot, hip, curve-hugging tee. Made of ultra-fine, ring-spun cotton, it gets softer with each washing. Lightweight for summer comfort or winter layering, it's a casual, effortless way to ensure you're stylin' in comfort while raising organ donation & transplant awareness. Comes in in white, blue, and pink.

* Sale: $4 off Jr. Jersey T-Shirts
* Coupon code: 4JRJERSEY
* While supplies last

Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness
http://www.angelcove.us

Peace Love Cure

2008-07-08T10:17:00.005-05:00

Peace. Love. Cure. Three giving life silhouettes in a row, a Peace sign in soft blue, a Love Heart deep pink, and an Awareness Ribbon with the words Support [cause] Awareness. An appealing way to raise awareness for your health cause.

Available Designs:

Peace Love Cure AIDS
Peace Love Cure Alzheimers
Peace Love Cure Breast Cancer
Peace Love Cure Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Peace Love Cure Diabetes
Peace Love Cure Heart Disease
Peace Love Cure Lupus

Purchase these designs and more health awareness designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more Angel Cove today remember to use coupon code PONIESVIABLY for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more no through June 8th, 2008!

Overcome the Fear of Organ Donation

2008-07-07T06:27:00.002-05:00

When one thinks of donating an organ, they automatically think that it is the ultimate good deed to save someone else’s life. For many, this is such an enormous act of generosity. For those who stay clear from donating organs, perhaps it is due to a fear of being cut up, or an inability to be compassionate, or perhaps even a myth that is changing their minds. With over 7000 deaths on the organ transplant waiting list in 2005, many organizations have been actively involved in raising the awareness of need of organ donations in the United States and worldwide.

Giving away some of your organs to those in need is a wonderful feeling. Organ donation can come in two different forms: when you are alive and deceased. If you know someone who needs a kidney or something that you can afford to lose, you should try and see if you are a match. This is a wonderful way to save your loved one’s life and help them create a better path. The majority of people feel that saving someone life alone is all they need to sign on the dotted line. With 90,000 patients on the donation list, it is more than a good deed to help someone else out.

On the other hand, if you are deceased, you can also donate your body to science or for organ transplant. This will also give someone a second chance at life, and someone else in the world will be able to breathe and live normally because of you and your organs. Our bodies are the gifts of life, and organ donation is a way to give the gifts to those who‘re in need.

Some people do not like the idea of having their bodies cut up or being donated to science. The last thing they want to do is not be buried with their families or look altered in any way. However, open casket funerals can still be planned, even if you were to donate organs or whole body. Others feel that if they do donate, their families will be charged for any fees, which could lead to thousands of dollars. In actuality, they are never charged if you do decide to do this.

The advance in medicines and medical research depend on the deep understanding of our body. When organ donation for transplant saves one life, whole body donation for science and medical research may save thousands of lives.

Natalie Aranda writes on health and fitness. Organ donation can come in two different forms: when you are alive and deceased. If you know someone who needs a kidney or something that you can afford to lose, you should try and see if you are a match. This is a wonderful way to save your loved one’s life and help them create a better path. The advance in medicines and medical research depend on the deep understanding of our body. When organ donation for transplant saves one life, whole body donation for science and medical research may save thousands of lives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Aranda

Peace Love Support

2008-06-19T07:23:00.000-05:00

Peace. Love. Support. Three giving life silhouettes in a row, a Peace sign in soft blue, a Love Heart deep pink, and a green Awareness Ribbon with the words Be a Hero. Be an Organ Donor. An appealing way to raise transplant awareness.

Also new to Angel Cove:

Peace Love Life (Butterfly)
Peace Love Recycle (Recycle Symbol)

Purchase these designs on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more in our Organ Donation Awareness section today!

Arizona Needs More Donors!

2008-06-16T08:46:00.004-05:00

At the end of 2007, only 29 percent of Arizona's population had signed up to be donors. Utah had 70 percent of its population registered as donors and nearby New Mexico had 65 percent of its population signed up, Patterson said.

The reason for Arizona's low percentage may be that, until recently, the state had a confusing, multiple-step sign-up process, Patterson theorized.

Then in February, a new law kicked in that has made signing up a one-step process, she continued. Now, when a person is applying for their drivers license, all they need to do is check off the appropriate organ donor box. The state will mail you a green sticker to attach to your license, Patterson said.

People also can sign up with the Arizona Donor Registry online at www.DonateLifeAZ.org or by calling the registry at 1-800-94-DONOR.

Angel Cove Donates 10%

2008-06-02T09:30:00.002-05:00

Angel Cove is an avid supporter of Organ Donation and Transplant awareness and donates 10% of all its profits to the Wisconsin Donor Network.

The Wisconsin Donor Network is the federally designated organ procurement organization supporting the transplant community in eastern Wisconsin. Guided by an advisory board consisting of members drawn from the community and affiliated transplant centers, the network is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and serves 2.2 million people in a 10-county region, including Door, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties.

The Wisconsin Donor Network is also affiliated with the 45 acute-care hospitals in eastern Wisconsin, the transplant programs at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital and St. Luke’s Medical Center, as well as the Wisconsin Lion’s Eye Bank and the Wisconsin Tissue Bank.

In addition to recovering organs for transplant, the Wisconsin Donor Network also provides public and professional education about the tremendous need for organ and tissue donors. It is the region’s primary, most current source of information regarding organ and tissue donation.

So, for every product you purchase through the Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness Online Store, we will donate 10% of our profit from that sale to this awesome organization. Where else can you get cool awareness swag and help others at the same time?

The Path Out of Negativity

2008-05-28T10:20:00.002-05:00

Did you know that if your life was not changing, you would not exist?

Our Universe and everything in it is continually changing, because our Universe is made of energy. Energy can only exist if it is in motion and changing. If energy stopped being in motion, our entire Universe and all Life would vanish. Our lives are also energy, and therefore they too must always be in motion and continue to change. You cannot stop the motion and change in your life, and nor would you want to. The changing nature of energy gives us Life. It causes Life to grow and causes us to grow.

And yet when there is a big change of energy which affects our lives, we often label it as bad, and cause ourselves sorrow, pain, and suffering by resisting the change. But you always have a choice. In the Universe there is never just one way. You are never trapped with no way out, no matter what has occurred. There are two paths available to you in every circumstance and moment in your life. The two paths are the positive and the negative, and YOU are the one who chooses which path you will take.

You have the power to transform negative change into positive, but you cannot do it by resisting the change. Resisting the change is focusing on the negative and it is choosing the negative path, which brings with it even more negativity, more pain, and misery.

To transform the negative into positive, you must choose the positive path and command that this changing energy transforms into millions of blessings that pour down on you and everyone involved. Command the changing energy to bring unlimited good and positivity. Know and believe in your heart that as you command it, it must be done.

And then the day will come in the not too distant future, when you will look back and see all the blessings that you brought into this world through you and change.

A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne
Creator of The Secret

Prescription Savvy

2008-05-26T07:12:00.005-05:00

I can't stress the importance of double-checking medications when new or existing orders are placed. So many people just take the prescription and head to the pharmacist; never checking the accuracy of the prescription itself. All too often, the hospital sends in a direct prescription order to the retail or mail order pharmacies without the patient even seeing the prescription itself or checking whether or not it is correct.

We, ourselves, have had this problem numerous times. Unfortunately, this problem becomes expensive as the patient is the one that must pay for additional prescriptions to make up for the quantity changes or changes to the medication itself. To help combat inaccuracies in prescriptions and additional cost to your family, we recommend the following:

1. When in a doctor's office, review all the prescriptions with the doctor and verify the quantities.

2. If receiving a new prescription and use a mail order pharmacy, request a 1-month prescription from your doctor with 1 refill as well as your 90-day prescription to be sent to the mail order pharmacy. This way you can start the medication right away and be covered if there is any delay in the mail order pharmacy processing.

3. If your doctor is calling in your prescription to a retail pharmacy, call the pharmacy before you go to pick up your order and confirm the medication name and quantity.

4. If you notice your prescription is incorrect a retail pharmacy, you have the right to deny it. Check the medication name and quantity before paying for the item. If it is incorrect, let the pharmacist know and ask that they contact your doctor for the correct prescription. You can also call your doctor's office to verify the prescription as well.

5. Do not have your doctor call/send in a mail order prescription. If at all possible, have them send you the prescription in the mail (or hand it to you) so that you can verify the information before mailing it in yourself.

Remember that by using these 5 steps and taking your medical health into your own hands, you can not only save yourself money but also save your own life. Doctors and pharmacies are doing their best to ensure your good health but with so many patients, some tend to fall through the cracks. That is why it is crucial that you not turn a blind eye to your medications and what they can mean to your long term health. Take action and become knowledgeable about your own health.

CF Butterfly

2008-05-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

A beautiful purple butterfly adorns this creative artwork while a purple CF awareness ribbon stands in the background showing its support. Show your support for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) research and awareness. Peace. Love. Cure. Support Cystic Fibrosis Awareness.

Purchase this design on t-shirts, mugs, oval euro stickers, bumper stickers, bags, magnets, and more in our CF Butterfly section today!

Remember to Breathe

2008-05-19T08:49:00.000-05:00

So often we get caught up in the fast-paced society of the "real world". Our days become rushed and we feel like we are moving in high speed. Day in and day out, the simple life - the life of miracles is forgotten; replaced by cell phones, deadlines, traffic, noise, pollution, and a foggy sense of what is important in life.

Just recently we had one of those moments in our own family where we were so "busy" that my wonderful husband was rushing around like a chicken without a head. He felt he was late for work (although he was early) and he seemed to run more on automation as he dashed back and forth around the kitchen trying to get his lunch together.

Standing in the middle of the kitchen, my arms stretched out in front of me as my hands securely fastened themselves around his slender arms. I held him tight in front of me and smiled softly. He couldn't help but meet my gaze with his own soft smile. "Don't forget to breathe" I whispered softly. "That's what these new lungs are for."

It took only a minute for his soft smile to turn upwards as he leaned in to kiss me softly. "I know" he whispered back. "Thanks for reminding me."

And with that he took a couple of deep breaths and slowed his movement around the kitchen. No matter what life throws at us, we have been given a new life with his miracle of an organ transplant. We just need to remember that is more important to take the time to enjoy the miracle then rush through life... and we can remember this best when we remember to take a moment and just breathe...

A moment of silence...

2008-05-12T09:14:00.000-05:00

The past weekend there was news of a medical helicopter crash here in Wisconsin. These events are always very sad but this one touched us even more because it was a UW-Madison hospital helicopter.

Why does that mean so much to us? Well, first because UW-Madison is where my husband, Greg, received his bilateral lung transplant. Second, when Greg was deathly ill back in 2002-2003 from complications with his Cystic Fibrosis, they placed him into a room right near the helicopter landing pad for this hospital. At first we were quite annoyed because the helicopter was loud but after a while we would turn to each other and say "Maybe that are the new lungs" every time they landed. That helicopter and crew brought hope every time they landed and it was our faith, belief, and hope that kept us going through those hard times of illness.

As an act of faith, this post serves to recognize and remember those that were aboard and did not survive. May peace, love, and happiness follow you wherever you travel for you were our angels in great time of need. God bless!

For full story on the crash: Med Flight helicopter crash kills all 3 on crew

Transplant Inside

2008-05-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Transplant Inside is a parody image of the famous Intel logo. Transplant Inside. Show the world what keeps you running.

Organ donors save live. Are you a organ donor? Do you know an organ donor? Maybe you are a transplant recipient. Check out our large section of Organ and Transplant related items at the Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness Shop!

AIDS & HIV Awareness Products

2008-05-06T08:52:00.000-05:00

Just added: HIV & AIDS Support Awareness gifts, fund-raising products, T-shirts and more! Beautiful designs and gifts to promote the overall and general importance of Heart Disease Awareness. Perfect gift ideas to display your own personal experience on how Heart Disease has impacted your life.

Choose from:
Red Ribbon Penguin, STOP AIDS 2, Red Ribbon Duck, Know AIDS - NO AIDS Dec 06-07, Walk For Awareness, Aids Awareness, i Fight AIDS #2, AIDS AWARENESS, AIDS/HIV FINDING A CURE T-SHIRTS AND GIFTS, HIV/AIDS Guardian Angel, Walking for AIDS Awareness, Taking the Walk..., i Fight AIDS, HIV/AIDS, Empowered AIDS t-shirts and gifts, and STOP AIDS

Bring awareness through these unique artistic designs on a variety of t-shirts and gifts.

Shop all AIDS and HIV Awareness Products here!

CFF: Great News!

2008-05-05T08:27:00.000-05:00

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has just released some great news:

1. The Senate officially recognized May 2008 as National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness month.

2. Congress passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) today. This law makes it illegal for employers and insurance companies to discriminate based on genetic information.

3. President Bush signed into law the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act, which provides resources and funding for new and existing newborn screening programs through 2012.

4. The House of Representatives reauthorized the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This program awards grants to small biotechnology companies that conduct important CF research.

Each of these initiatives has tremendous potential to help people with CF. These bills help increase awareness of cystic fibrosis, focus research funding on CF, and establish critical legal protections to help people with the disease live longer, healthier lives.

Organ Donors Word Search

2008-04-14T07:37:00.000-05:00

"It shouldn't be that hard to find organ donors. Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor." wordsearch design complete with its own green awareness ribbon. Help us find organ donors not only in this puzzle but in real life. Bring organ transplant awareness through these unique artistic designs on a variety of t-shirts and gifts.

Shop this organ donation product and others at the Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness Store!

Volunteers give in donation race

2008-04-08T08:03:00.000-05:00

“Wearing your heart on your sleeve” was a literal suggestion to last Saturday’s 167 participants in the free One-Mile Walk/Run for Organ Donation. Ashley Madaus, PRSSA Vice President and Chair Coordinator for NODAC, said she hoped contributors would understand the importance of organ donation and family communication. “That’s why our theme this year is ‘use your feet, keep your family up to beat,’ meaning telling your family … what you want,” Madaus said. [Read full article]

Borrowing My Designs

2008-04-07T08:03:00.000-05:00

While looking for information on organ donation and transplant awareness recently, the Internet opened my eyes - wide! Not only could I not believe how many wonderful people supported this specific social health awareness cause but my own designs kept coming up on other people's websites.

Yes, most of the product designs on Angel Cove were graphically illustrated by yours truly so it is always a shock to see your own creativeness on other people's sites. From avatars to web page backgrounds and everything in-between; my awareness designs are out there and boy are they getting noticed!

Now I can be a stickler and contact those people to remove my designs immediately. Indeed, they are infringing on many copyright laws as I am the owner of each and every one of them. However, my aim is not to make money but to raise awareness and if my images on other people's websites will get even one person to sign the back of their driver's license or start a dialog with their family about their wishes to become an organ donor then how could I have a problem with that? It is all about awareness and that is what Angel Cove is all about.

With that said, I will be seriously considering making a new section to Angel Cove with organ donation avatars, desktop wallpapers, and other graphical clipart for free use to anyone that wants. However, I am not sure how many would be interested so please email me at hazeleyes7@yahoo.com or comment on this post and let me know your thoughts on this idea. I am willing to do this if you are willing to speak up! *smile*

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Gifts

2008-04-02T09:34:00.000-05:00

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) awareness is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts. Not only did my sister-in-law have CF but my husband and his two younger cousins have it as well. It is for that reason that I extended the Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness Shop to include beautiful and unique Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Gifts as well. Choose from over a dozen designs on t-shirts, mugs, license plate frames, bumper stickers, and more!

See all our Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Gift designs here!

5-year-old marks transplant milestone

2008-03-24T07:18:00.000-05:00

Ben was placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant. On the evening of March 23, 2007, his physician reported that a potential donor heart was available. By breakfast the next day, this gravely ill child had a new heart...
[Read Article]

High Blood Pressure Panic

2008-03-17T08:55:00.000-05:00

It is never too early or late to fall back into your old bad habits. Being post-transplant, these bad habits can have even worse results.

Sure, Greg's blood pressure has been higher than normal over the last week or so and the doctors automatically decide to put him on blood pressure medication. Why? The last thing he needs is to add yet another drug to his already expansive list of 13+ medications. For me, it is more about solving the problem then putting a band-aid on it.

You see, there was once a time that the transplant clinic doctors wanted to put Greg on some medication because he had very low blood pressure. It was shortly after his transplant and he was still in the hospital. Luckily, I have a very logical mind and realized that his IV sterile water drip had been stopped the day before. Since then, he had not one glass of water. Hello!?! Can anyone say dehydration?? *laugh* After handing him a 20-ounce bottle of water, his blood pressure was back to normal. No medications or intervention needed.

So what is going on with his blood pressure now? Bad eating habits! Today is was quite high and even though he had an idea of the culprit, he dare not admit he might know what it was. Again, logic hit my brain as I realized that he ate more than half a frozen pepperoni pizza yesterday afternoon. Hello!?! Can we say "sodium"?

As it turns out, my wonderful husband's diet over the last couple of weeks has been high sodium fast food and dining out. We have been busy running around that we haven't had much time for dinner at home (lower sodium foods) and he has been ordering the ham sandwiches, pepperoni pizzas, fries on the side, etc. foods that he was told to stay away from.

Alas, it seems this wife needs to work on reminding her husband how easy it is to take on the bad habits of pre-transplant life. This is a second chance at life - not a second chance at fast food mania! *big laugh*

April is National Donate Life Month!

2008-03-11T08:07:00.000-05:00

April is right around the corner and with it comes National Donate Life month! Now is the perfect time to grab a new organ donation or transplant awareness T-shirt, mug or bumper sticker to show our support in raising awareness for Organ and Tissue donation. Check out the entire line of Angel Cove's Organ, Tissue, and Transplant Donation Awareness products today! We have beautiful designs on T-shirts and gifts to help you spread awareness in your own way!

Thank you and God Bless!
Shannon

Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness
http://www.angelcove.us

Time to Move

2008-03-10T07:56:00.001-05:00

We have been living in Wisconsin for so long now that we have realized it is time for us to move on. No, not tomorrow or next month but we are working and planning towards our future in a new state. This is the part that makes any transplant recipient nervous; leaving their transplant hospital and finding a new one without risking their medical care.

Greg has been doing so well (92% lung function) that we hate to risk leaving the UW-Madison transplant clinic. It took us some time to realize that the reasons we went to that specific hospital no longer hold true for our family. First, we wanted Dr. Robert Love because he was not only one of the top lung transplant surgeons in the United States but he was a Cystic Fibrosis double-lung transplant specialist. Since Greg's lungs were so bad (10% lung function) and diseased, we needed and wanted nothing but the best: someone who knew how complicated CF lungs could be to remove (and a pain in the rear they were). But, Dr. Love transferred some time ago to Loyola Hospital near Chicago, Illinois. Therefore, he hasn't been our doctor in a couple of years.

Then we lost the other lung transplant surgeon that worked on Greg; Dr. Zink. He transferred as well shortly after Dr. Love. Last to go was Greg's transplant coordinator, Anne Marie. The 3 main pillars of support at the hospital, and the people that pretty much got everything done us (with amazing results), were gone. They were replaced with decent surgeons but now all Greg sees is the pulmonologist (not transplant doctor) and a new transplant coordinator that has cost us a ton on prescription refills because he can never get any of the prescriptions ordered correctly.

So, what is the real reason to stay? It is not because of the hospital. Sure, they have all his medical records and the respiratory therapists know him by face but that doesn't mean he is in any better hands then any other hospital. His medical files can easily be transferred and we can even get him evaluated by a transplant hospital in a new city we are looking at moving to before we even move.

Now, it is just time to narrow down our city choices. This will take some time and since we have at least a year until we are ready to move, we will make sure to do all the research needed before making such a decision. It is time to move beyond the dead trees and dreadful winters of Wisconsin and on to the warmer climate that allows us to enjoy more the second chance at life Greg has been given.

Many Lives Saved!

2008-02-14T09:34:00.000-06:00

One Life Lost. Many Lives Saved. Script text in lilac with a beautiful artistic dragonfly to represent the organ donor. Perfect for any life-saving hero's family and friends to remember the life lost and those transplant recipients saved. Check out our Many Lives Saved design and products today!

New Record!

2008-02-11T07:40:00.000-06:00

Blow baby, blow!

Greg had a transplant clinic visit last week and it is ironic what the doctor's say and how much patients can prove them wrong. This was one of those weeks because we were told a long time ago that lung transplant recipients will hit their highest lung function numbers at the 6-month mark and that is it. Well, we are happy to report that Greg's record lung transplant pulmonary function test (PFT FEV1) has increased greatly since his last visit. He has gone from an overall lung function reading of 86% to 92%!!!

What a cause for celebration! Over 3 years post transplant and every day he is proving to the doctors that he just doesn't follow the norm. Why? Well, he knows the law of attraction in this world and never once does he allow any doubts of his own health to come into his head. He is always positive about his health and maintains a healthy lifestyle of taking his medications correctly and on time, exercising regularly, protecting himself from anything that may be harmful in the environment by wearing a mask, and by living life to the fullest. Way to go hubby!!

Our February Online Newsletter

2008-02-06T09:04:00.000-06:00

Hot off the press! Our February 2008 issue of the "Angel Cove Newsletter" is now available for you online!

Read it here: http://www.angelcove.us/newsletter/newsletter080201.html

Organ Donation Awareness Ribbon Magnets

2008-02-04T08:25:00.000-06:00

After searching high and low on the Internet, we have finally found an organ donation awareness ribbon magnet that we would proudly display on our own automobiles.

The original Screen Printed High Quality Car Magnets. Designed to last and will not chip or fade like many other car magnets sold on Ebay. Make sure you are buying QUALITY Magnets made to LAST! Beware of the ink printed magnets, that are printed with ink jet printers. Those magnets state they have UV protectant, but will fade, due to weather and water damage. Made from durable, tested non-toxic magnet material with high quality vinyl. The manufactor has over 20 years experiance in printing rugged, durable, ourdoors quality magnets.

Get your Organ Donation Awareness Car Magnets here!

Upcoming Transplant Clinic

2008-01-28T08:29:00.000-06:00

One week from today will be Greg's next transplant clinic appointment. Not to worry, this is just a normal clinic check-up and nothing more. The thing that we are working out right now is what can we get done outside of the transplant clinic.

Why? Well, as it turns out, Greg's insurance was changed back at the end of last year and now his transplant hospital is no longer covered in-network. As many of you probably already know, dealing with a hospital that is out-of-network can become expensive. Unfortunately, UW-Madison has always been my husband's transplant clinic and he has done so well that we are not willing to change just to save ourselves some money. So, what do we do? Figure out ways to cut costs of course!

The best way to try to cut medical costs without cutting out needed medical procedures is to find out what can be done at a hospital that is covered in-network. Lucky for us, such a hospital exists about 5 minutes away from us and has been handling all his Cystic Fibrosis care for 17 years now. The only problem is that the hospital's computer systems are not linked so we can only have the blood tests drawn and nothing more. The local hospital will then send the blood samples to the transplant clinic so they can do all the necessary tests.

Sure, it is still going to be an expensive visit next week but at least there is one thing we can do locally to cut costs. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that there is no need for any additional tests not already on his schedule for that day once he gets there.

Help us Help Others!

2008-01-07T07:25:00.000-06:00

Normally I would ask if you would like to be on our Great Strides Walk to Cure Cystic Fibrosis team but given you are so far away, it is a difficult thing to ask. So, instead, I am asking that you help support our cause.

As you probably already know, my husband Greg was born with a terminal illness called Cystic Fibrosis. Today he is alive because of a miracle double lung transplant. Does that mean we are going to stop fighting to cure Cystic Fibrosis? Heck no! Why should we? Sure, Greg has new lungs but he still has the other complications caused by the disease. On top of that, Greg's two younger cousins also have this disease and if we don't find a cure soon, they will have no choice but to undergo a double lung transplant as well.

So, we need your help to raise funds to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Right now the median life expectancy is around 34 years old; way too young to die! Why not help us to help them find a cure and have the ability to live a long and healthy life?

Making a tax-deductible donation is easy and secure! Just click on the link below to make a donation to my fund-raising page where your donation will be credited to my team. It is a one time donation for me to walk 6.2k (10 miles) to support this cause. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated!

Donating to GREAT STRIDES is such a simple and effective way for you to show your support for this important cause. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with CF! Once again, thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation!

My CF Great Strides fundraising page: http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/ShannonSteffen5260

The Lives You Touch

2007-12-31T13:33:00.001-06:00

A friend of mine (whose husband is a double-lung transplant recipient) forwarded me a video clip today. It was from ABC News and she had this to share about it.

I want to share this ABC news clip of a man who belongs to our lung transplant support group. It completely captures all the joy and heartache of the experience. You may want to have a tissue handy--I've watched it several times, and I still can't get through it without one. Please feel free to pass this on to others, as every ounce of organ donation awareness helps. There are still far too many who are waiting and dying on the list.
Video link: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4065610

She was right, my eyes did tear up and even though we are well aware of the gift of life given to my own husband, the importance of organ donation awareness came alive in me once again. It is for that reason that I ask that you please watch this video now and pledge to continue this great awareness cause throughout the New Year!

God bless and Happy New Year!

Angel Cove Christmas Blessing

2007-12-24T13:38:00.000-06:00

During the holidays, it is easy to remember what blessings truly are. Our blessings this year include another a great year of health for my husband (without an ounce of organ rejection), the ability to travel overseas for 17 days to Europe with him, and the love and comfort of a great family.

It is easy to remain fixed on the bad things that have happened throughout the year and lose sight of the many blessing that have unfolded. Why not change focus and not allow the bad stuff to clutter your mind? Why not think about the blessings that have come upon you and the blessing you have been to others in your life? Take a moment now and count the blessings of 2007; for tomorrow is Christmas and the true day of blessings!

A very Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and your family!

Slight Complications

2007-12-13T09:34:00.000-06:00

Not to fear, everything went well during my husband's outpatient surgery to remove his Medi-port. He was in and out of the general surgery office within 45 minutes; one less port and a few stitches.

The thing that bothers me is when doctors send you home with no instructions or any idea on what you can expect. They simply told Greg to keep his bandage on until it falls off and the stitches would dissolve on their own. So what kind of panic do you expect a patient to feel when they get home and their bandages are soaked through with blood?

Since Greg and I are pros at this, I simply told him to keep an eye on it and if it started to bleed outside the Tegaderm, then we will need to clean the wound area ourselves and get some fresh bandages. That was exactly what needed to happen because he woke up the next morning with blood pooling behind the Tegaderm. Needless to say, he panicked and wanted to do back to the doctor right away. I, on the other hand, convinced my loving husband to have us clean the area first to see if ho badly the wound is bleeding under the dressing. Luckily, it was no longer bleeding and with some fresh bandages, he was good as new.

But this still goes back to the point I made earlier. I hate it when doctors don't tell you more than take some Tylenol and let it be. Luckily we have done a lot more "nursing care" at home for Greg's ailments in the past that it was a walk in the park to clean up the area and apply new bandages. We knew exactly where to clean, how to make sure the preparation area was sterile, and the proper bandages that were needed.

If only doctors would communicate possible complications and what to be on the lookout for, they would greatly decrease the amount of anxiety and frustration their patients (and families) feel. (sigh)

Surgery Day

2007-12-10T07:18:00.001-06:00

Years ago, Greg had a Medi-port placed just below his left clavicle bone because he was getting sicker by the day. For those that don't know, ports are usually placed when doctors believe there will come a time that they will no longer have access to good blood vessels to take blood or give medications through an IV line. This port made it easier for the hospitals to give Greg his regular IV treatments without having to place a line in his arm or leg. Hence, it was freedom.

It has been over a year since he had to last use this artificial medical device and I am happy to announce that he will be having outpatient surgery this afternoon to have it removed once and for all. Greg is healthy enough that he no longer needs to have this device. One small step for man. One giant step for an organ transplant recipient!

Why have it removed? Well, he decided, even before his transplant, that if he did not use it for a year it would get removed. Plus, a patient is also supposed to flush the port once a month and well, uh, my husband hasn't flushed it in a year. (shakes head in disbelief) Therefore it now needs to be removed because it is most likely clogged anyway. I think it was just my husband's way of making sure it gets removed once and for all.

So please keep him in your prayers today. :)

Awareness Greeting Cards

2007-11-30T08:06:00.000-06:00

Celebrate the season with these special holiday products. The colorful design is available on ornaments, holiday cards and more! Take a peek!

Also available are t-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts, yard signs and more. Check out the entire Celebrate Life Holiday Collection today!

Semi-Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-19T09:38:00.000-06:00

For those that already know me, the week of Thanksgiving is not something that settles well with my stomach. It is this time of year that people are remembering what they are thankful for and getting geared up for the winter holiday season. For me, it is quite different.

It was this day a few years ago that I came home from work to find my husband unable to move or even get to the bathroom without being in great pain. The following day he was to see his Cystic Fibrosis doctor for a regular appointment and didn't see the need on seeking immediate medical help. Luckily for him, I knew medical attention was needed because the doctors told me shortly afterward that if we would have waited an extra day, he would have been dead. It was pneumonia and it was bad. So bad that he was put on a ventilator the night going into Thanksgiving day and I got to spend that "thankful" day in the MICU ward at our local hospital watching my husband fight to live.

After 4.5 weeks, he was transferred to the transplant hospital 2 hours away to be reviewed for a kidney transplant as well as a double lung transplant. Lucky for us, he was already on the transplant list for new lungs but his kidneys were now failing and they needed to assess if he was to receive both lungs and kidney from his hero donor down the line. He was placed on the list for both and after another 4.5 weeks of being in that hospital, I was able to get him home; ventilator, medical equipment and all!

For 9 months total he was on a ventilator and after a positive sleep study, they removed the ventilator and he was back to 4L of O2 by nasal cannula.

Although everything turned out fine in the end, and my husband has now been 3 years post transplant without any rejection, Thanksgiving was such a traumatic event that year that it still stays with me. I am truly thankful for my husband's life, thankful to his donor and family, and thankful to God. The trauma of that time will stay with me for some time to come and it seems that although the butterflies in my stomach are lessening in number, they still remain. Hopefully one day I can truly celebrate Thanksgiving fully and go to Thanksgiving dinner at our family's house without those butterflies tagging along.

Happy 3rd Transplant Anniversary!

2007-11-12T07:48:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, November 11, 2007, was my wonderful husband's 3rd Transplant Anniversary! It is amazing to realize that 3 years ago yesterday, we were wondering if his double lung transplant was ever going to be realized. It is not that we didn't think it would ever happen but rather, after 3.5 years of waiting and 5 dry runs, you wonder whether or not each call you receive from the hospital will be "the one".

So, this weekend we did a couple of things Greg has never done before. I am proud to say that the first new thing we tried was on Saturday and only happened after a lot of play nagging on my part. You see, we were in the middle of the mall and there was Santa Claus waiting for children to take pictures with. Usually the line is straight down the mall and it was now or never in my mind. I instinctively grabbed Greg and walked over to Santa. Now realize that we are two 33-year old adults without any children and here I was pulling my husband over to sit on Santa's lap. After using a couple of fun "wife" techniques, he agreed and we took our first ever Santa picture together!

It was his anniversary day that he was more looking forward to. By some grace of God, Greg's dad got an extra ticket to see the Green Bay Packers vs. the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field... in a luxury sky box! Needless to say, Greg could not pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity; especially seeing the Green Bay Packers in action for the first time in the new stadium and in style! This was a dream come true and he still had a huge smile on his face when he got home later that night.

What a way to celebrate the anniversary of his miracle! It is humbling to think we went from a house filled with medical equipment and oxygen machines to an opportunity to take life by the horns and enjoy the ride.

Here's praying for 50 more healthy transplant anniversaries! Thank you God and thank you to our donor and his awesome family!

Organ Donation Awareness Fundraisers

2007-11-05T08:24:00.000-06:00

Did you know that Angel Cove has a number of fundraiser items to help people raise additional awareness for Organ and Tissue Donation? Well, we do!

Angel Cove has multi-packs of buttons, magnets, stickers, and more. They are perfect for fundraisers or to raise further organ donation and tissue transplant awareness.

Check out our line of Organ Donation Awareness Fundraiser Products today!

Upcoming Anniversary

2007-10-29T07:55:00.000-05:00

I am wrestling with a thought at this moment. You see, in a little over a week Greg will be celebrating his 3-year post transplant anniversary. With the upcoming anniversary, my mind starts to think back to when he received his transplant and the donor's family. Although we are celebrating a happy occasion, they are celebrating a somber one.

Some time ago I had purchased a Hallmark card that is specifically for an organ donor's family. I have held onto it for a number of months now and as we close in on the transplant anniversary, I am torn as to whether or not I should send it to the family now or wait until after the holidays.

No, we don't know who our hero's family is as they did not respond to the letter Greg sent shortly after his transplant. Everything in the beginning in anonymous so we aren't sure if they even agreed to accept it or if it was read and they just decided not to respond. That is why this choice is so difficult for me... all I want to do is to thank them and let them know how much of a hero we think their family member was; not to cause them unnecessary stress during their anniversary of loss.

I guess I will need to pray on it for a while but I hope that time does not run out for me to do the right thing.

Organ Donation. A gift for life.

2007-10-22T08:02:00.000-05:00

Organ Donation. A gift for life. Organ Donation: Thousands wait for the gift of life. Be a Hero. Be an Organ Donor.

Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.

5.6 oz. 100% cotton

Standard fit

See all products with the Organ Donation. A gift for life. design.
See more Organ Donation Awareness T-Shirts and Gifts at Angel Cove!

Cherish and Give Awareness Support

2007-10-15T07:33:00.000-05:00

Cherish Life. Give Life. Make your voice heard when raising organ, tissue, and transplant donation awareness with this simple yet bold statement. Complete with an artistic green organ donation awareness ribbon.

Our women's ringer tees from Hyp are made of 100% fine cotton jersey.

~ 4.8 oz. 100% fine jersey cotton
~ Size up for a looser fit
~ Contrasting neck and cuff trim as well as contrasting stitching

See all products with the Cherish Life. Give Life. design.
See more Organ Donation Awareness T-Shirts and Gifts at Angel Cove!

Bye Bye Colds

2007-10-08T07:16:00.000-05:00

So the cold is finally starting to go away and Greg says that he didn't cough once yesterday. Lately he had been coughing a lot because of the post nasal drip and it was even keeping him up all night. Now it is barely recognizable and he is starting to feel more like his normal self. So much so that he was able to make it through a day of outside dog training, food shopping, and hours upon hours of football. Fine, the last thing is easy for any man to do but when you are sick, normally you fall asleep in front of the television. I am happy to report that football actually did not put him to sleep due to a cold! (laugh)

He is going to wait until tomorrow to see if the cold is gone before calling the transplant clinic to report it. Since they only have open clinic on Mondays, he would not be able to get in for another week unless his spirometery numbers were to decrease. Thank the heavens that his lung functions have held high during this entire cold and there has been no reason to call the doctor up until now. Why call now? Well, we were just a bit concerned about the post nasal drip making its way into his healthy new lungs. A little may be fine but when you have a cold and you are a double lung transplant recipient, you leave nothing to chance.

Hopefully there is no need for a transplant clinic appointment in our near future. Let's just keep our fingers crossed.

Colds and Transplants

2007-09-29T08:46:00.001-05:00

I hate it when my husband gets sick! It drives me crazy because you never know how far the bugs are going to go and whether or not his compromised immune system will be able to fight off a "normal" everyday cold.

A couple of days ago, Greg came home with a sore throat and runny nose. Luckily for me, I just got over a really bad cold a week before (which he did not get) so I didn't feel bad. For me, it is only worse when Greg has a cold if I was the one that gave it to him in some way. Needless to say, he started Cold-Eeze right away to help decrease the duration of the cold.

But, that doesn't help us feel any better mentally about it. Last night he wasn't even able to sleep as this head cold decided it wanted to stay up late and party all night long. Onto the couch he went with a box of Puffs Plus next to him and our beloved dogs at his feet.

Fortunately, it is just a head cold. Alas, we know how easily it can turn from a simple cold into an infection in his new lungs. So, it was nothing for me to run out at the crack of dawn to get him some Halls and Ziacam. I also tried for the TheraFlu Nighttime cold remedy but, with our luck, there was a sale on it this week and the shelves were totally empty.

Where does this leave us now? Greg fighting a great battle and me giving him the support he needs (while worrying silently). I know it seems like a simple cold but he is a double lung transplant recipient and things can go wrong quickly if we aren't careful. That is why I hope you will say a prayer for him that it stays a head cold and moves out of Casa de Greg soon!

Glossary of Transplant Terms

2007-09-24T07:50:00.001-05:00

The Angel Cove Organ Donation and Transplant Awareness shop (http://www.angelcove.us) now has a full Glossary of Transplant Terms and Phrases (http://www.angelcove.us/transplantterms.html) in order to help transplant patients and their families turn doctor-speak into plain English. So many times, doctors and hospitals will throw out words and phrases as though we come fully equipped with a medical translator. We nod our heads in agreement but in our heads we are thinking "What in the world are they talking about?". Unfortunately, too many patients and families are embarrassed or too overwhelmed to ask for further clarification and turn away distraught and highly confused.

This confusion can lead to poor medical decisions in the long run. We, as patients or caregivers, may be agreeing to some sort of medical procedure or similar that we have no clue about. That is why we have come up with this glossary list to help patients and their families understand the basic doctor-speak and make things easier to understand when a translator is most needed.

Of course, this list is a work in progress as there are still many more terms to add but we have a great foundation of terminology on this list that we think will be most helpful. So, go and take a look for yourself and, of course, if you find anything missing, feel free to let us know through our contact page.

Help Us Raise Breast Cancer Awareness!

2007-09-20T08:35:00.000-05:00

I know it isn't organ donation or transplant awareness but October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and it is near and dear to our hearts. Not only do I personally have 2 aunts that are breast cancer survivors but at this time, my husband's grandmother is battling Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Therefore, we have added a section to our Organ Donation Awareness site to help promote Breast Cancer Awareness! We hope you will take the time to visit our Breast Cancer Awareness Section and show your support to all of those strong woman survivors!

Thank you and God Bless!

5-year-old receives double lung transplant

2007-09-17T08:19:00.000-05:00

A 5-year-old British girl who is the youngest person to ever receive a double lung transplant is flourishing nine months after the operation. Suffering from cystic fibrosis since she was only three months old, Mariam Imran's health had been deteriorating until her record-setting surgery at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Daily Mail said Wednesday. Now her parents, who were once told their daughter had only months to live, are happy to watch Mariam play just like any other child. (Science Daily, 9/12/07)

The miracle of life is never out of one's reach and this story just goes to prove once again how even the smallest of God's creatures can realize the gift of life; even when it has never been done before! This girl was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that our family has been working towards a cure for decades now and to hear that a small 5-year old has been blessed with a second chance at life makes our hearts sing.

Please keep this young girl in your prayers as well as the donor family. May she be blessed with all the health and happiness this world has to offer!

Leaving a Legacy

2007-09-10T08:19:00.000-05:00

I have begun reading "The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness" but Stephen Covey and I have to tell you that it is a great reminder about what is important in life. Just yesterday, I was talking to my cousin-in-law and she told me that my cousin (who is like a brother to me) has begun smoking again. Ugh! Fine, so I know nothing about the "need" to smoke as I have never tried to smoke myself but I have to say it is one of the most disgusting habits I have ever witnessed. On top of that, I have gone through a period of some months where my wonderful husband had a trach and I had to suction the most nastiest stuff coming out of his lungs. Remember, he had Cystic Fibrosis lungs and it was not smoking that caused his old lungs to be so yucky. Just think of what a smoker's lungs look like and what kind of junk is building up inside!

Needless to say, I reminder her of my past experience with suctioning junk of our someones lungs in the hope that she would get dead set on getting him to quit smoking. Honestly, once you have seen a person suctioned, you never want to take up smoking or smoke again!

So, this goes back to the book I am reading and leaving a legacy. It is not by our words but by our own actions to live life to the fullest that leave the greatest legacy. It is not enough to tell someone to stop smoking but to demonstrate personal knowledge and experience that will help the person to make more well informed decisions in their lives. This does guarantee a change in people but it will make them think twice about the path they choose when faced with a decision - the road to growth and well being or the road to repeat past failures and poor health.

What type of legacy are you leaving based on your daily actions?

Vote Best Charity Site!

2007-09-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

Angel Cove has been nominated for the Blogger's Choice Award "Best Charity Blog"! We would love your help in winning that award for our site so that our site will gain even more attention and further spread the word on Organ & Tissue Donation and Transplantation! So, please click the button below and Vote Today!

Vote for Us!

Thank you! We truly appreciate all the love and support we have gotten over the years and thank you for your vote!

God bless!

Cherish Life. Give Life.

2007-08-28T14:14:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about what a blessing it is to receive for a person to receive an organ or tissue transplant. It was in that moment that I thought how I wish people would not only cherish their lives (for we are not guaranteed any amount of time on this Earth) but also to give life. Hence, the my creativity hit once again and that is when I decided to put it into a design for products in my awareness shop - Angel Cove Organ Donation & Transplant Awareness.

Cherish Life. Give Life. Make your voice heard when raising organ, tissue, and transplant donation awareness with this simple yet bold statement. Complete with an artistic green organ donation awareness ribbon.

I would love to hear feedback on this design so feel free to leave a comment.

Website pairs transplant recipients with potential donors

2007-08-16T07:11:00.000-05:00

Richard Cohen figured you could find just about anything you wanted these days, no matter how elusive or obscure, in the quick zip of an Internet search. So, with his health declining and all other options failing him, he typed into . . . [read full article]

Combating Negative Thoughts

2007-08-10T10:28:00.000-05:00

A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne,
Creator of The Secret

"How do I stop my negative thoughts?" - is a question that I have been asked many times. If you have ever asked this question then you will feel such enormous relief in knowing the answer, because it is so simple. How do you stop negative thoughts? You plant good thoughts!

When you try to stop negative thoughts, you are focusing on what you don't want - negative thoughts - and you will attract an abundance of them. They can never disappear if you are focused on them. The "stop" part is irrelevant - the negative thoughts are your focus. It doesn't matter if you are trying to stop negative thoughts or control them or push them away, the result is the same. Your focus is on negative thoughts, and by the law of attraction you are inviting more of them to you.

The truth is always simple and it is always easy. To stop negative thoughts, just plant good thoughts! Deliberately plant good thoughts! You plant good thoughts by making it a daily practice to appreciate all the things in your day. Appreciate your health, your car, your home, your family, your job, your friends, your surroundings, your meals, your pets, and the magnificent beauty of the day. Compliment, praise, and give thanks to all things. Every time you say "Thank you" it is a good thought! As you plant more and more good thoughts, the negative thoughts will be wiped out. Why? Because your focus is on good thoughts, and what you focus on you attract.

So don't give any attention to negative thoughts. Don't worry about them. If any come, make light of them, shrug them off, and let them be your reminder to deliberately think more good thoughts now.

The more good thoughts you can plant in a day, the faster your life will be utterly transformed into all good. If you spend only one day speaking of good things and saying "Thank you" at every single opportunity, you will not believe your tomorrow. Deliberately thinking good thoughts is exactly like planting seeds. As you think good thoughts you are planting good seeds inside you, and the Universe will transform those seeds into a garden of paradise. How will the garden of paradise appear? As your life!

Rhonda Byrne
The Secret... bringing joy to billions.

Another Medication Down!

2007-08-09T07:40:00.001-05:00

Greg had his 6-month transplant clinic appointment this past Monday and we are proud to announce the following:

Lung Functions are in the high 80's
The lung stent can be removed
No more need for daily Pulmozyme inhalations

Greg has opted to keep the stent in his airway as it is not causing problems and going in for a bronchoscopy is more risky then leaving it in. He has never had a problem since the stent was placed in his right bronch back in late 2004 so he figures there is no reason to fix something that isn't broken. Of course, he has no problem discontinuing the inhaled Pulmozyme as this is his last inhaled treatment to get rid of. If you were doing this medication for over 15 years, you would want to get rid of it too!

So, we are on cloud 9 at the moment and what a special week it has been. Not only have we gotten this great news but today is Greg's 33rd birthday! A wonderful and happy birthday it is!

My Awareness Button!

2007-08-07T12:43:00.000-05:00

When we go to the Wisconsin State Fair, it is normal for me to stop by the Wisconsin Donor Network booth to see what type of organ donation awareness events they are currently working on. As I approached the booth, one of the women behind it grabbed my attention by asking if I had my nifty orange organ donor sticker on my driver's license. As I smiled and told her about my husband's double lung transplant, my girlfriend next to me said "Shannon, look!" and pointed to the other woman. She was wearing an organ donation awareness button. Not just any button - one I designed for my Angel Cove Organ Donation Awareness Store!

My jaw dropped. The words "My Son gave the Gift of Life" danced in my brain for a moment. Could I really be seeing one of my purchased products outside of the Internet? Yes, it was real and it started a great conversation about my store and possible future partnerships with organ donation and transplant support groups. That is definitely one state fair I am going to remember for a lifetime and has pushed me to be more aggressive with raising awareness!

Vacation was a Blast!

2007-07-30T08:03:00.000-05:00

The 8-hour flight each way to Europe, with a mask on his face, didn't bother my husband one bit. People did their normal staring and we just continued on as though there was nothing different about him. Of course, I think people were starting to cover their own faces in fear that Greg was onto some virus bug that had been released on the plane or someone with cooties!

Needless to say, we had a blast for our 17-day trip across England, Scotland, and Ireland. The weather was cold and rainy but it didn't bother us one bit. At first I was a bit nervous about being so far away from home and the possibility of Greg having health problems. Alas, he did very well and his lung functions remained quite high the entire time we were there.

If you wold like to read our travel blog and see pictures of our adventure overseas, feel free to visit : http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/9265.

On Vacation

2007-07-03T08:08:00.000-05:00

Well the month of July is upon us and we are heading towards a 17 day adventure across Europe that will include London, Scotland, and Ireland. We are truly excited and have made sure to have all our ducks in a row before leaving. With that said, here are some tips we have learned for traveling post transplant.

If flying out of the country, sign up with the American Council in the country you will be visiting. Should a medical emergency arise, they can get the post transplant patient the medical care they need immediately and assist in arranging a flight home to their transplant hospital.
Get a letter from your transplant hospital that is notarized and lists all the transplant medications you are taking. This includes even the injectable, inhaled, or oral medications.
Keep your transplant drugs in your carry on luggage and pack vitamins (if needed) in your check in luggage. This way the most important medications are with you at all times and you are not carrying as much weight.
Have medical labels on all your drugs. If you received a box of medication with a bottle inside, get a label for the bottle itself. This goes for insulin as well. Each medication must be in its own bottle. You cannot bring just a weekly supply in one bottle as they must be separate.
Store your liquid medications in a quart size bag as liquids are highly screened at the airport. All other medication can be stored in your carry on luggage but we do recommend you use a gallon size bag to keep them all together.
Call ahead to any hotels to make sure they have a refrigerator or ice maker to keep any perishable medications from spoiling while on vacation.
Wear a medical identification bracelet at all times. Verify with your hospital or medical alert company that all your information is updated.
If traveling by plane, bring a couple of masks to wear. Make sure to pack a clean one for the flight back home.
Pack a small bottle of Purell or other hand sanitizer in your carry on. Use it whenever touching any community properly in airports and other facilities, especially bathrooms.

That is all I can think of at this time. A number of these items are common knowledge for transplant patients but it is better to be safe then sorry. Above all - remember to enjoy your trip. If you are a transplant recipient, like my husband, then you know you have been given a second chance at life - make the most of it and enjoy!

Lost Lungs in Milwaukee

2007-06-17T08:05:00.001-05:00

I am not sure if the news has spread to other parts of the country or world, but within the last couple of weeks, there was a major plane crash that killed 6 people in Lake Michigan. Normally, I hear such news and although I stop and say a small prayer for the people, it just hits me like any other tragic news. This time was different.

This time it was 6 people on a medical transport plane from Michigan to Milwaukee and back. They were not carrying a passenger but a second chance at life. Double lungs to be exact - for a patient in Michigan. Double lungs? My heart sank as did the precious gift of life in that plane crash. My mind raced at the news - not only are the families of the fallen mourning but the donor family and potential recipient. You see, double lungs are for those patients that cannot survive on one lung alone - like those that have Cystic Fibrosis - like my husband. Three and a half years he waited and five dry runs. What the patient must have been feeling when they not only received the news that they were not getting their transplant that day but that those who were fighting for that person's miracle had perished in the crash. Six lives and a miracle set of lungs - gone in a flash. And to think of the donor family that made such a difficult decision to donate, just to have this outcome.

There is a silver lining in the dark cloud of this tragedy. The heart of the donor was successfully transplanted to another patient and that transplant recipient was last reported as doing well. Still, you can't help but feel for those involved - those that fought for a second chance at life and those that continue to wait for their miracle.

God bless the donors, recipients, and those that put their lives on the line to make that miracle a reality.