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LifeLink Builds Organ Transplant Awareness At Luncheons

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 5, 2008

BAYSHORE - BAYSHORE - LifeLink Foundation is hosting a series of lunches, 12 at 12, to build awareness of its work and LifeLink Legacy Fund.

The fund provides resources to support patients in need of transplant surgery or follow-up care, including immunosuppressant medication.

The monthly luncheons, which include information sessions and tours of the facilities at 409 Bayshore Blvd., are so called because 12 guests are invited to the noon event. Transplant recipients and LifeLink supporters and staff provide information to the guests, who represent businesses and community volunteer programs.

Dennis Heinrich, the foundation's chief executive officer, said 12 at 12 "is trying to bring our light out from under the bushel basket."

At a recent luncheon, former Jesuit High School coach Bill Minahan and his wife, Martha, spoke of the difference in their lives since the coach's kidney transplant.

"Over 22 years ago, we walked out of Tampa General Hospital with a miracle," Martha Minahan said. "Every day we pray for the organ donors. In a billion years we could never give back what has been given to us."

The coach said he underwent three years of dialysis before the transplant.

"When I was on dialysis, my life was attached to that machine," he said.

Heinrich said telling people they are eligible for a transplant gives many "the sense of renewed hope."

He said the average wait for a kidney transplant in Tampa is about a year, but in some cities it is about five years.

For information about attending 12 at 12, call Linda D'Aquila at (813) 251-8017.

Museum Offers Lighting Workshop

DOWNTOWN - Chip Weiner will present a workshop on photography lighting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12 at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 200 N. Tampa St., Suite 130.

The class will address the use of natural and artificial light and participants will be introduced to reflectors, scrims and flash attachments.

Registration is $95 and includes lunch and a snack. For information, call (813) 221-2222.

Lowry Park Zoo Seeking Docents

TAMPA - Lowry Park Zoo is accepting applications for its annual docent training for volunteers to be able to give tours, answer questions, assist instructors and perform other duties.

The 10-week class covers zoo history, animal facts, conservation and other topics.

Classes meet twice weekly on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. After class completion Sept. 1, volunteers must commit to work at least 95 hours each year.

Classes are $105. For information and an application, call (813) 935-8552, ext. 233.

Woman's Club Sponsors Dinner

The Tampa Woman's Club will sponsor a spaghetti dinner to raise money for the charities and programs it supports.

The dinner will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the club, 2901 Bayshore Blvd. Takeout is available.

Tickets are $8. For information, call (813) 839-7457.

Skipper's To Host Fishing School

NORTH TAMPA - Skipper's Smokehouse will host an in-shore fishing school taught by Fred Everson, a local captain and fishing guide.

The event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday. It will include information on species, casting, artificial baits, fishing equipment and other topics. The cost is $25 and includes a copy of Everson's book "Fish the Flats."

Register at the restaurant, 910 Skipper Road, or by calling (813) 971-0666.

Send news of social activities, landmark anniversaries, birthdays and other items of community interest to Lenora Lake at 15310 Amberly Drive, Suite 102, Tampa FL 33647; fax to (813) 975-9488; e-mail to llake@tampa trib.com; or call her at (813) 865-4851.

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