Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Guest Opinion: Rural Oregon, sacrifice zone for proposed LNG export projects? ... Coos County ballot measure seeks to nullify gun background checks ... Medford police chief announces retirement ... Guest Opinion: Rural Oregon, sacrifice zone for proposed LNG export projects? ... Coos County ballot measure seeks to nullify gun background checks ... Medford police chief announces retirement ... 'A kidney to spare' Alaska woman's donation gives little Helen a new lease on life Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 22, 2015 at 5:28 PM Updated Oct 22, 2015 at 5:30 PM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 22, 2015 at 5:28 PM Updated Oct 22, 2015 at 5:30 PM --> HOW YOU CAN HELP More than 109,000 people, including 682 in Oregon, are on a waiting list for a kidney, and an average of 22 people die each day waiting for an organ, according to the&... » Read more X HOW YOU CAN HELP More than 109,000 people, including 682 in Oregon, are on a waiting list for a kidney, and an average of 22 people die each day waiting for an organ, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. For more information about becoming an organ donor, visit http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/learn/about-donation or www.donatelifenw.org. The Children's Organ Transplant Association, an Indiana-based national nonprofit, mobilizes volunteers to support children and young adults who are in need of an organ transplant. For information on how you can help or to donate, see www.cota.org . » Social News Lauren and Byron Lynn could breathe a sigh of relief Tuesday when doctors at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland informed them that their 4-year-old daughter Helen was in recovery and had a functioning kidney. In 2013, Helen contracted a strain of E. coli followed by a serious bout of hemolytic uremic syndrome resulting in kidney failure. And for the last two years, the family has waited anxiously for a kidney donor while their daughter underwent daily dialysis to filter her blood of waste and extra fluid. Nearly 3,000 miles away in Healy, Alaska, Lori Moyer, 44, heard of the family’s plight through a mutual friend and was compelled to help. “As soon as I read (an email about Helen’s condition), I thought, ‘I have type O blood, and I think I have a kidney to spare,’ ” Moyer said. At the time, Moyer didn’t know that the “sick little girl” her friend was talking about was the daughter of Lauren Lynn, who worked with her more than 10 years ago in Alaska. “I just wanted to help this little family with this really sick kid, and the fact that the mom was Lauren was just special,” she said. Last September, Moyer began the process of determining whether she was the right match for Helen and whether she was healthy enough to survive on one kidney. The process included lots of paperwork, several blood and blood pressure tests, and a trip to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland for additional testing. “Throughout the process they kept asking me, ‘Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure you want to do this?’ ” Moyer said. Moyer was sure, especially after meeting Helen for the first time two weeks ago. Helen is shy, so the two didn’t have an immediate relationship, but there was one magical moment at OHSU. “We were in an elevator at the children’s hospital, and teeny, tiny Helen was standing sandwiched between (Lauren and I),” Moyer posted on her Facebook page. “As the doors opened, Lauren started to exit, and little Helen took a second to turn and waved to me. It was the first time she really interacted with me without being prompted. Right at that moment, I could see my kidney magically transforming to her kidney.” On Tuesday morning, Moyer underwent a three-hour operation to remove her kidney and, as of Wednesday afternoon, was in good spirits and experiencing only minimal pain, thanks to an epidural. She was expected to be in the hospital through the end of the week. “I just keep picturing an empty spot down where my kidney used to be,” Moyer said. “Now it’s Helen’s kidney. It’s all hers.” Helen was in surgery about five hours Tuesday afternoon, but doctors told the family that the kidney looked good and seems to be doing its job, said Dana Schallheim, a family friend who spearheaded a local fundraising effort for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. Helen was "uncomfortable" Wednesday, but hospital staff were working to help manage her pain, Schallheim said. “I can't believe we are finally on the other side!” posted Lauren Lynn Tuesday on the “COTA for Helen L” Facebook page. “Thank you, Lori, for being our super star, our angel!” Helen will be on immunosuppressants for life to help her body accept the new kidney and to ward off graft-versus-host disease. Sadly, in 10 to 20 years, she'll probably need a new kidney and have to go through this again, Schallheim said. But for now, the Lynns are thankful for the community’s love and support and for Lori, who gave their precious little girl “a more sustainable life,” Schallheim said. Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 22, 2015 at 5:28 PM Updated Oct 22, 2015 at 5:30 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501