Heart Transplant Patient Simon Keith Speaker for 2011 Golf Tournament Banquet
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Thank you, Sister Jane Frances
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To Gift of Life, With Love
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Rochester Mayor Proclaims Sister Jane Frances Day!
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Truly, a Gift of Life
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Dr Edwards Shaves His Beard for GOL
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We’d Give you an A+ for Sure!
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Elks Raise Funds for Gift of Life
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The Dollar Dance
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Hand Transplantation – a New Era of Transplantation at Mayo Clinic
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SHARING THE A NEWSLETTER OF GIFT OF LIFE TRANSPLANT HOUSE
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VOLUME 11 | NO 1 | SUMMER 2011
Heart Transplant Patient Simon Keith Speaker for 2011Golf Tournament Banquet Summer’s here…and the 27th Annual Gift of Life Benefit Golf Tournament is coming up quickly on Monday, July 11, 2011 at the Rochester Golf & Country Club. Besides golfing on a premier course, reconnecting with transplant friends and Gift of Life staff, and enjoying a gourmet banquet dinner, we are excited to announce this year’s program speaker – Simon Keith.
Sean) he began his advocacy for organ donation at year 25 since his initial operation. “I felt the need after 25 years, and after building some credibility as an organ recipient, to become an advocate for organ donation.” He now travels the world sharing his story hoping to inspire others to become organ donors as well as to inspire recipients to open their minds to what can be achieved post transplant.
Simon Keith
Simon holds the distinction of being the first athlete in the world to play a professional sport after undergoing a heart transplant. He was just 21 when, in July of 1986, he received the heart of a 17-year-old boy in a successful operation performed by Dr. Mohsin Hakim, at the Papworth Hospital outside of Cambridge, England. Simon was a world class soccer player prior to the operation, and was determined to return to “his normal.” His goal was realized and after playing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for two seasons, he was drafted #1 overall into the Major Indoor Soccer League only three years after his surgery. After retiring from professional sports, Simon settled in Las Vegas where he became a successful businessman. Married for 20+ years to Kelly, with three children (Sarah, Sam, and
Staff member Sharon Verbeck will also share some thoughts about her unique Gift of Life Experience. On February 1, 2011 Gift of Life lost one of its most devoted volunteers, Sharon’s daughter, Sandra. Sharon and Sandy’s journey from Las Vegas to Rochester is a remarkable story. In Sharon’s Continued on page 2
All lined up and ready to go!
GIFT OF LIFE TRANSPLANT HOUSE • 705 Second Street, Southwest • Rochester, Minnesota 55902 • Phone: 507-288-7470 • Fax: 507-281-9888 • E-mail: office@gift-of-life.org • Web site: www.gift-of-life.org