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Richie's Heroes of the Month
January: Katy Stark Monte
Social media has been exploding with a new catchphrase: #OomphForKaty. A woman from Queens is at the center of this viral campaign as she awaits a double lung transplant.
At just 13 months old, Katy Stark-Monte was diagnosed with cycstic fibrosis, a genetic lung disease. She received her first double lung transplant in 2011 and thrived until her body recently began rejecting the organs. Now, as Katy is hospitalized at New York Presbyterian Hospital, she finds strength in the growing campaign that urges supporters to post photos of encouragement and well wishes as she continues to battle for her life.
Celebrities from Kevin Bacon to 90210 star and The Apprentice contestant, Ian Ziering, have tweeted or posted photos and videos encouraging Katy.
"It's overwhelming, and it just makes me feel positive and makes me have good days," she said. "There are so many people behind me."
In addition to her social media 'family', Katy is supported daily by her loving husband and NYC fireman, Joe, siblings, parents and friends. The 30 year old is in great spirits but is fighting for her life as she awaits the second procedure in order to survive.
Despite the tremendous challenge, Katy continues to speak out about the importance of organ donation and hopes to educate others about cystic fibrosis. She remains a positive force in the local community and is slowly making headlines on a national level.
Katy's positive spirit and resilience mirror that of Richie's. It gives us great pleasure to name Katy as the January 2015 Richie's Hero of the Month.
Richie’s Spirit Foundation recognizes the financial burden an organ transplant has on a family. To help alleviate some of these pressures, Richie’s Spirit Foundation has set-up Transplant Assistance Grants, which help off-set some of the expenses for a family with a child waiting for or who recently received an organ transplant. To make a contribution, please click here.
DECEMBER: MICHAEL MONTANARO
In remembrance of a wonderful human being, Richie's Spirit Foundation recognizes Michael Montanaro as our December Hero of the Month. The following is a beautiful anecdote written by one of Michael's three daughters on behalf of his family. We thank the entire Montenaro Family for sharing Michael's story and for allowing us to honor his selfless decision to become an organ donor.
As Joseph Campbell put it, A hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger than himself.
In these terms, Michael Montanaro was the epitome of a hero. He devoted his life to helping others in his profession as a psychologist. He put in 12 hour days, 5 days a week. He worked for free if a patient desperately needed help and could not afford it. He took phone calls on vacation to talk someone through a crisis. He routinely packed his bags at a moment’s notice to assist the Red Cross relief effort after natural disasters, traveling to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, and California after devastating wildfires. Even after all of this, he still had time to help his three daughters in their own lives, often sending texts that read, “what do you need hung, fixed, lifted, or paid for?”
He was selfless, and worked tirelessly to instill this virtue in his family. After his death, we received hundreds of messages from friends and patients, extolling the character of this great man. “He truly saved me. He made me feel loved and valued, and for that I will be eternally grateful.” “He was an unforgettable human being.” “He was truly the ultimate example of how to live life fully. I feel blessed to have known him.” “My gratitude will be eternal.” “I honestly cannot think of a better example of a knowledgeable and caring human being.” “He touched everyone he met with his humor, caring, and greatness.”
It should come as no surprise that someone who so fiercely cared about other people would also be an organ donor. Although his death was sudden and untimely, and we never anticipated having that conversation with the Gift of Life Foundation, there is something reassuring about his donation that now brings us peace. We were told that his cornea, tissue, and bone donation would help an estimated 50-70 people, which feels surreal, knowing that his spirit lives on in so many. His life’s work was to help people, and he continues to do that even after his death. We have always been proud of him; he was the kind of person we bragged about to others and strove to be ourselves. We only hope he knows just how grateful we all are to have been touched by him in our lives - his family, friends, patients, and now the recipients of his selfless donation.
Richie’s Spirit Foundation recognizes the financial burden an organ transplant has on a family. To help alleviate some of these pressures, Richie’s Spirit Foundation has set-up Transplant Assistance Grants, which help off-set some of the expenses for a family with a child waiting for or who recently received an organ transplant. To make a contribution, please click here.
NOVEMBER 2014: DUSTIN WEED
Each day, an average of 18 people die while waiting for an organ transplant. Dustin Weed, Richie's Spirit Foundation's November Hero of the Month, was very close to being part of that statistic. After being hospitalized in 2009 for kidney failure, Dustin received nearly five years of peritoneal dialysis treatment while waiting for a transplant. Twice he was called to the hospital and prepared for surgery, only to find out that the organ received was not viable.
To add to the stress, doctors told Dustin that he must be able to afford his post-operative treatment in order to receive the transplant. That meant Dustin, a single father and our of work because of his medical condition, would need at least $2,000 in the bank. Refusing to give up, Dustin turned his setback into a challenge. He reached out to the local media, called upon family and friends, and has since raised over $7,000 for his care.
In late September 2014, Dustin finally received the call he had been waiting for. A match was found. and it was time for the transplant. And this time, it was for real.
"At the time I got sick, I did not know a thing about dialysis or transplants," Dustin said. "Now, it's the only reason I am still alive today."
Dustin was the recipient of a healthy kidney donated by the family of a 33 year old who tragically lost his life. He is reminded every day of the generosity of this donor family and has plans to one day thank them in person.
Dustin's struggles, both the wait for an organ and the financial burden, are common to thousands of other potential organ transplant recipients. In honor of his courage and tremendous will to live, Richie's Spirit Foundation recognizes Dustin as our November 2014 Richie's Hero of the Month. Dustin, your determination has inspired us, and we wish you a long, healthy life ahead.
Richie’s Spirit Foundation recognizes the financial burden an organ transplant has on a family. To help alleviate some of these pressures, Richie’s Spirit Foundation has set-up Transplant Assistance Grants, which help off-set some of the expenses for a family with a child waiting for or who recently received an organ transplant. To make a contribution, please click here.
OCTOBER 2014: JACOB KILBY
For nineteen year old, Jacob Kilby, the wait for a new heart is all too familiar. Jacob was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a heart defect where the left side of the heart does not fully develop for blood to flow properly. After four failed open heart surgeries before his second birthday, Jacob was given just hours to live. Miraculously, a compatible heart was made available, and he received a life saving transplant.
Now, 16 years later, Jacob and his family are facing the same sense of urgency as his body has recently begun rejecting the new heart. Jacob began having symptoms such as chest pains and heavy breathing, and doctors quickly confirmed that his heart is slowly beginning to fail. Eventually, the large arteries of the heart will close, a condition known as Cardiac Allograft Vasculothopy, the number one cause of heart transplant rejection. Without a new heart, Jacob’s condition will continue to deteriorate, and he will die.
Jacob is now on the National Heart Transplant Wait List as a level two patient. He waits along with over 100,000 others nationwide who are in need of an organ transplant.
Despite his difficulties, Jacob has maintained an optimistic outlook on his future. He continues to cherish each day and vows to stay focused on his future dreams and aspirations. He has a passion for surfing and dirt bikes, loves spending time with his younger siblings, and is looking forward to attending college.
Including Jacob, there are currently 123,779 people in need of life saving organ transplants. To date this year, 16, 883 organ transplants have been completed thanks to the generosity of8,275 donors. But even still, an average of 21 people will die each day while waiting for a transplant.
Jacob has been named Richie’s Hero of the Month for October 2014 in recognition of his bravery and will to live. We are with you, Jacob, and will continue to spread the word about organ donation so that your life, along with many other lives, can be saved!
To learn more about Jacob's story, please visit his Facebook page. To become an organ donor, please click here. Remember to always#PASSTHESPIRIT
Learn more about Jacob in this video created by him and his family.
September 2014: Anna Modlin
Anna Modlin had suffered from Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and at 29 years of age, was deteriorating fast. Doctors determined that a transplant was her only chance of survival. In November 2010, Anna received the phone call she had long been waiting for. After 119 days of waiting, an anonymous donor was a match to provide her with the double lung transplant she so desperately needed.
Now, more than three and a half years after successful surgery, Anna is healthy and making the most of her second change at life. She continues to be involved with the CF community by volunteering her time in a variety of roles with Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc. and Richie's Spirit Foundation. She is an avid athlete and most recently competed in the 2014 Transplant Games of America and the 2013 World Transplant Games.
Anna currently teaches swimming lessons in California and has started her own Nutrition Coaching and Personal Chef business, Delicious & Nutritious by Chef Anna. Prior to her transplant, she received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Santa Clara University.
We salute Anna for her strength and resilience and for her continued commitment to the CF and transplant communities. In recognition of her accomplishments, we proudly name Anna our September Hero of the Month.