(Topeka, Kan., Feb. 11, 2009) - On Jan. 1, 2009, Stormont-Vail HealthCare sponsored a rose on the Donate Life - Stars of Life float at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif. This sponsorship was in honor of Stormont-Vail’s organ and tissue donor families. In May 2008, Stormont-Vail also dedicated a rock garden in memory of these patients. It is centrally located in the hospital’s first floor between the north and south towers.
In honor of these families and to celebrate the float, Stormont-Vail HealthCare along with MidwestTransplant Network and Kansas Eye Bank will be hosting a reception from 2 to 4 p.m., Feb. 15, 2009 at Pozez Education Center. There will be a guest speaker, Merle Zuel, who was a participant on the float and is an organ recipient. The public is invited to this event. Merle Zuel was first diagnosed with a defective aortic valve at the age of 10. Leading a rather normal life until age 34, Merle was admitted to the hospital with severe congestive heart failure on Jan. 1, 1996. After many years of treatment and medical interventions, Merle was evaluated for transplant in late 2005. It was determined then that an aortic valve replacement would be done. On Dec. 18, 2006, Merle was activated for status 1A on national transplant waiting list. Sixty-seven days later he received a new heart at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. On the first anniversary of his transplant, Merle participated in a donor family memorial service. Merle has organized a concert called MerleJam, www.MERLEJAM.com, which raises money for other heart transplant patients. “I was lucky enough to get a second chance and want to do whatever I can to help others,” he said. On New Years Day 2009, Merle rode on the Donate Life float in the Rose Parade in Pasadena with many other donor families and recipients. See www.donatelifefloat.org for more information.
Members of the media who would like to attend need to contact Nancy Burkhardt prior to the event at (785) 354-6927 or pager (785) 575-5493.
