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From the Stage to the Operating Table – a Plea for Organ Donation By Patricia Zheng In 2006, Rowan Jimenez was living the life of a rock star in the limelight. His professional and personal lives were both thriving: his Bay Area-based Latin/Alternative band was about to go on tour after being featured on MTV stations nationwide, and his daughter, Kaya, turned 3. He felt he was ready to take on the world. As 2006 ended, Jimenez found himself once again in the spotlight, only this time he was giving his last performance in front of an intimate group of supporters in a local bar. Amid all the success after his first national tour, his increasing shortness of breath was starting to slow him down, and Jimenez decided it was time to take a break to focus on his health. An active individual who competed locally as a professional rock climber, Jimenez first attributed his shortness of breath to his busy schedule. However, his condition soon became so alarming that he consulted a pulmonologist. A lung function exam revealed that Jimenez’s previously mild, localized form scleroderma, an autoimmune disease, had manifested in his lungs. Despite six months of vigorous treatment, Jimenez lost 20 pounds and 50% of his diffuse capacity (the ability of the lungs to transfer gases). Even as his body was failing, Jimenez willed himself to remain strong and active; since he was not willing to give up climbing, he was known to climb with an oxygen tank. However, by March 2008, his condition had deteriorated to the point that it became difficult for him to get around even with the aid of extra oxygen. With treatment options running short his best chance for survival was through a double lung transplant. Luckily, Jimenez lived close to the UCSF transplant center, one of the few centers in the world experienced in performing lung transplants on scleroderma patients. Through his proactive efforts he persuaded both his insurance company and his doctor to put him on the transplant list. The estimated wait-time was up to six months; fortunately for him, it only took seven weeks. On September 15th, 2008, Jimenez was under the spotlight again; this time, on the fourth floor of Moffitt Hospital as he underwent the nine-hour transplant operation at UCSF. Seven months later, Jimenez is back on his feet resuming his busy lifestyle. He currently operates an online blog (http://rowanjimenez.blogspot.com/) to share his experience with others. Already, other patients and relatives of patients have responded. One particular patient posted: “Rowan, after reading your [blog], it makes me feel like I am not alone; lots of the same feelings going on with me [sic].” In addition to his blog, Jimenez is also actively reaching out to the community to encourage people to join the organ donation registry. To do this, Jimenez is coming to UCSF to show his self-filmed documentary, Full Lung Capacity, on Tuesday, April 28 as part of the Coalition of Organ Donation Exponents’ (CODE) Organ Donation Awareness Lunch Seminars. He encourages everyone to join the UCSF eCampaign for Life – a campus campaign to encourage the entire UCSF community to register to become organ donors. How to Get Involved Since July 1, 2006, individuals who renew or apply for a driver’s license or ID with the DMV now have the opportunity to also register their decision to be a donor in the Donate Life California Registry. After an applicant registers, the pink “DONOR” dot symbol is pre-printed on his or her driver’s license or ID card. Even if you have already signed up at the DMV, you may reregister online and specify limitations for your donation (i.e. if you want to restrict certain organs from being donated and/or used for research). To register to become a donor visit: www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org/UCSF. Please share this link with your family and friends so they may also consider the gift of life. If you have questions about donating the gift of life, please contact Donate Life California at (866)797-2366 or email: info@DonateLifeCalifornia.org. If you would like to learn more about Rowan Jimenez’s story and show your support as he resumes his active life, you can make a charitable donation to his blog and/or purchase art at his Zazzle store by visiting http://rowanjimenez.blogspot.com/. If you would like more information about the UCSF eCampaign for Life or upcoming CODE events, please email ucsforgandonation@ucsf.edu. |
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