I have received a dvd of Jerry's burial at sea - April 19, 2008 - Aegean Sea
Latitude 36.04.7N, Longitude 025-29.6 E. The Captain of the USS Nashville LPD 13, a deployed destroyer, sent me a beautiful letter as follows:
The remains of your husband, LTJG Gerald M. Loevner, U.S. Navy, were committed to the sea following yoru request.
"The burial at sea ceremoney took place on the flight deck of USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13) on April 19, 2008, AT 5:00 p.m. in the Eastern Mediterrean Sea. Conforming to naval tradition, the ship was stopped, colors displayed at half-mast, and the participating officers and crew paraded in their Service Dress Blue uniforms. The afternoon was clear wtih a 79-degree temperature, moderate winds and light seas.
Under these favorable conditions, both the religious and military ceremonies were conducted with dignity and solemnity. NASHVILLE'S Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Brian M. Peterson was the military commander of the ceremony. A seven- person rifle squad with Chief Petty Officer Timothy F. Ashton in charge, a flag bearer, the cremains bearer, and the 20-member honor platoon were formed from the crew of the USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13).
Photographs of the ceremoney were taken and are enclosed, along with the flag presented to the military commander of the ceremoney, a cartridge from each of the three volleys of the rifle salute, and a video of the service. In addition, a navigational chart showing the locaton of the ship at the time of committal will be mailed to you the near future.
The officers and crew of USS NASHVILLE(LPD 13) are proud and honored to have had the privilege of performing this burial at sea ceremoney. Please accept my personal warm regards and sincerest sympathy for your loss.
Sincerely,
Tushar R. Tembe,
Captain, U.S. Navy"
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Events Being Planned for Kidney Awareness
August 18, 2008
iCompassion.org - we have a team ironing out the last details - working with a logo, planning events that will generate moneys so that we can start a national campaign about donating a kidney. Nancy, Brady, Eric & Liz are in Atlanta are working on the design part for the campaign.
As a donor myself, I want to be able to explain how simple the surgery is - that I have had no after affects - my health is perfect - and so important - Sheila in PA who received my kidney is leading a normal & healthy life. We correspond and she told me she has a photo of Jerry and me she printed from the internet in her living room. This is really what gets me through the days.
I am hopeful we can launch this campaign soon - as every day - someone else dies without getting the right information or help! It's not right!
Forever Hopeful, Sandy
iCompassion.org - we have a team ironing out the last details - working with a logo, planning events that will generate moneys so that we can start a national campaign about donating a kidney. Nancy, Brady, Eric & Liz are in Atlanta are working on the design part for the campaign.
As a donor myself, I want to be able to explain how simple the surgery is - that I have had no after affects - my health is perfect - and so important - Sheila in PA who received my kidney is leading a normal & healthy life. We correspond and she told me she has a photo of Jerry and me she printed from the internet in her living room. This is really what gets me through the days.
I am hopeful we can launch this campaign soon - as every day - someone else dies without getting the right information or help! It's not right!
Forever Hopeful, Sandy
iCompassion.org
June 4, 2008 - Maryland
Double J did call me right after FL Winefest - he, his wife, Christine, and his friend, Craig, established a not-for-profit corporation in 2007. They have generously offered their help and the corporation to help establish a kidney awareness campaign - yeah! At last, we might be able to get this off the ground.
I haven't seen anything yet - public service announcemnts - articles, even a folder in any dialysis unit on the law that was passed December 21, 2007 - HR 770 - removing any shadow of a doubt that donating a kidney is legal.
How many more people have died on dialysis because of this lack of information?
Now we have a team in place that will help with an awareness campaign.
At last, maybe we can make a difference.
Hopefully, Sandy
Double J did call me right after FL Winefest - he, his wife, Christine, and his friend, Craig, established a not-for-profit corporation in 2007. They have generously offered their help and the corporation to help establish a kidney awareness campaign - yeah! At last, we might be able to get this off the ground.
I haven't seen anything yet - public service announcemnts - articles, even a folder in any dialysis unit on the law that was passed December 21, 2007 - HR 770 - removing any shadow of a doubt that donating a kidney is legal.
How many more people have died on dialysis because of this lack of information?
Now we have a team in place that will help with an awareness campaign.
At last, maybe we can make a difference.
Hopefully, Sandy
April 26, 2008
Charity Event - 18th annual
I met a gentleman today who lives in Maryland and was attending an event I helped coordinate as a volunteer - the Florida Winefest & Auction in Sarasota. Jerry always volunteered with me - handling all of the financials. It is still mighty hard to not see him at the back of the room as the auction unfolds - keeping everything on track. Over $60,000 today was collected for the organization in donations in Jerry's memory.
The gentleman I met, I will call him Double J, and I exchanged cards as he said he would like to do a charity event in the Maryland area similar to FWA.
We said we would talk next week after we buttoned up this event.
His card mentions iCompassion.org.
Perhaps he has an idea that will help with kidney awareness.
Yours in hope,
Sandy
I met a gentleman today who lives in Maryland and was attending an event I helped coordinate as a volunteer - the Florida Winefest & Auction in Sarasota. Jerry always volunteered with me - handling all of the financials. It is still mighty hard to not see him at the back of the room as the auction unfolds - keeping everything on track. Over $60,000 today was collected for the organization in donations in Jerry's memory.
The gentleman I met, I will call him Double J, and I exchanged cards as he said he would like to do a charity event in the Maryland area similar to FWA.
We said we would talk next week after we buttoned up this event.
His card mentions iCompassion.org.
Perhaps he has an idea that will help with kidney awareness.
Yours in hope,
Sandy
2008 Awareness Campaign - Donating a Kidney is legal
February 2008 - Frustration:
I don't seem to be able to make any progress with any private or government agencies to help with an Awareness Campaign. I have been working on establishing my own foundation so that I can solicit sponsors and donations and it can be a tax deductible donation.
The agencies who are supposed to be working with kidney patients and providing information have not started any awareness campaigns. We have a cure for kidney patients - and no one kdnows about it. What about a simple pamplet or sheet of paper in all of the dialysis units in the US giving information about finding a donor and giving the address of the local transplant hospital.
I never saw information like this available - and continue to be amazed at the lack of information kidney patiens receive.
I will continue to work on this awareness campaign. There is now hope & help out there for dialysis patients - and even patients who are not on dialysis yet - there is time to find a kidney before you have to go on dialysis!
I'm going to keep looking for a way to help!
Sandy
I don't seem to be able to make any progress with any private or government agencies to help with an Awareness Campaign. I have been working on establishing my own foundation so that I can solicit sponsors and donations and it can be a tax deductible donation.
The agencies who are supposed to be working with kidney patients and providing information have not started any awareness campaigns. We have a cure for kidney patients - and no one kdnows about it. What about a simple pamplet or sheet of paper in all of the dialysis units in the US giving information about finding a donor and giving the address of the local transplant hospital.
I never saw information like this available - and continue to be amazed at the lack of information kidney patiens receive.
I will continue to work on this awareness campaign. There is now hope & help out there for dialysis patients - and even patients who are not on dialysis yet - there is time to find a kidney before you have to go on dialysis!
I'm going to keep looking for a way to help!
Sandy
HR Bill 770
December 21, 2007
There was a law on the books from 1984 that made it difficult to donate a kidney as there was wording attached to the law that suggested a donor received compensation of some sort. Through a friend in Washington and his connections talking to members of the House and Senate, the Charlie Norwood Act - HR 770 was signed by President Bush into law today removing any obstacles for donors. This is my Holiday present. This is a historic moment for kidney patients and those on dialysis. There is more HOPE! Hope is precious as very ill people don't get this often.
And, kidney disease is not like many diseases, we have the cure!
Now - how to get the word out?
I will bet there are enough altruistic people in the US who will be willing to donate a kidney. Now the awareness that it is legal to do so is my next goal.
Wishing you all HOPE in 2008.
Sincerely, Sandy
There was a law on the books from 1984 that made it difficult to donate a kidney as there was wording attached to the law that suggested a donor received compensation of some sort. Through a friend in Washington and his connections talking to members of the House and Senate, the Charlie Norwood Act - HR 770 was signed by President Bush into law today removing any obstacles for donors. This is my Holiday present. This is a historic moment for kidney patients and those on dialysis. There is more HOPE! Hope is precious as very ill people don't get this often.
And, kidney disease is not like many diseases, we have the cure!
Now - how to get the word out?
I will bet there are enough altruistic people in the US who will be willing to donate a kidney. Now the awareness that it is legal to do so is my next goal.
Wishing you all HOPE in 2008.
Sincerely, Sandy
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