An Important message from Savilla Eliuk!!

[Tom Wersderfer]

Most of you know that I don't post stuff like this here on the message board but I thought this was important enough to post here. This message is from Dallas Eliuk's ex-wife Savilla who most of you in Philly know. She met Dallas when she was a cheerleader for the Buffalo Bandits in the early 1990's. She still lives in the Vancouver, BC area.

She gave me permission to post this here and ask me to spread the word. Here are her words:

"I don't know if Dallas filled you in about my health, but I am not doing well. I am dying of kidney failure, and I need a transplant. In December l started dialysis. I have some side effects and severe pain associated with it. The doctors do not recommend dialysis long term. They said the ideal situation would be to get a kidney transplant. The waiting list in BC for a cadaveric donor is 8 years long, and 40% die while waiting. What makes things even worse for me is that I am 0+ blood type, so I can only receive from 0. That makes my wait longer. The doctor told me the best thing for me would be a live donor. My sister Helen did the testing to see if she could be a kidney donor for me, but the final test she took showed that she is NOT a candidate. Her kidneys are functioning at almost 100% (compared to mine at less than 5%) but her blood vessels are too small. She was really upset about the news. I feel worse for her than I do for myself, because she really wanted to help me.


I was wondering, Tom if you could put the word out about my situation, and maybe someone will come forward.


For more information about organ donation, or if you have any questions:
http://www.kidney.bc.ca/
www.transplant.bc.ca
LSills@providencehealth.bc.ca (transplant nurse at St. Paul's Hospital)


I am on facebook.com to try to spread the word about organ donation. Maybe it will help - even if it gets people to sign their organ donor cards. At this point, I am so tired of waiting rooms, hospitals, labs and being poked with needles. But I will continue to fight this and try to find a solution.

I think it's a good idea if you want to post something about my health on Wingzone. You never know, I may get lucky and get a kidney. If you want to write something on your own, or use what I wrote is fine with me. They can contact the donor nurse, Laura Sills at LSills@providencehealth.bc.ca
My name on facebook is Savilla Marie. I am still new on there, so I'm not quite sure how to negotiate around there yet. Anyway, if they search that name, my profile should come up. I describe my health situation there, and there are pictures of me with my dialysis machine.



Thanks so much,
Savilla"

A very sad situation. Savilla is a great person and I hope someone comes forward to help her get a kidney transplant. Please spread the word to other fans of every NLL team and to everyone you know.

See contact info in Savilla's post about how to contact the donor nurse or contact me through this message board and I'll pass the info along.

Let's all keep Savilla in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks.

[thwingfan]

That sucks. Hopefully she'll find a suitable donor.

[gmbjr]

Please pass this around folks. The waiting list is not only that long due to rarity but due to factors causing"special" cases to jump to the top of the list.....like having several million dollars you might want to grant to a hospital.

My wife donated a kidney to her brother about 2 years ago. While a serious and long term ordeal, in the end its a worthwhile endeavor. The donor will lead a perfectly normal life after about 8 months. See if you know someone who can get the word out and possibly help. Talk them into it.

[trooper]

Tom,

Thank you for giving us the update. I had no idea Savila was that sick. My thoughts and well wishes are with her in her quest to find a suitable donor.

You know when I think of dialysis, I'm usually thinking of an older person who may not be long for this world transplant or not. Reality sank in when I read this.

Savila is one of our own... she is and always will be part of our extended lax family. Pass this information around to all you know. Hopefully we can find a donor for her or if not for her, for someone else in major need. Sometimes just being an organ donor when you have no chance of making it isn't enough.

[McSwarmFan]

We go to the doctor, the focus is on our own health. But anyone any where can be screened to be a live donor candidate for kidney and liver donation.

A non-related match might be a longshot, but in some cases it is the only shot.

For people interested one of the best resources on donation of organs is the American Red Cross. They can direct you to the regional organization that maintains "the list" of people who need a liver or a kidney.

Having written this, I hope it helps me remember to have the screening done on or after my next appointment a week from Monday.

[fragilelady]

OKay everyone. Say your prayers, keep your fingers and toes crossed and lets hope for the best.

One of the Philly fans is willing to donate. She is O+ but would still have to have tissue testing to determine if she is a match.

I have contacted Laura with a few questions. There are alot of technicallities here involving insurance issues. As many know the Canadian Health Care System is very different from ours here in the States. Here in the states, the donors don't have to pay a thing (except the kidney!), but what happens once you cross the border is a different story.

The transplant coordinators where I work also said they would help out with what they could. Again though, it's the border thing.

Let's all just say our prayers and hope we can work this out.

Savilla, hang in there baby. We're trying to get help on the way!!

Sheryle (sorry, I'm A+)

[Tom Wersderfer]

The woman who came forward to offer the kidney donation is an angel. Let's all hope and pray this works out.

Keep us posted Sheryle.

[RyanP]

Originally Posted by fragilelady

OKay everyone. Say your prayers, keep your fingers and toes crossed and lets hope for the best.

One of the Philly fans is willing to donate. She is O+ but would still have to have tissue testing to determine if she is a match.

I have contacted Laura with a few questions. There are alot of technicallities here involving insurance issues. As many know the Canadian Health Care System is very different from ours here in the States. Here in the states, the donors don't have to pay a thing (except the kidney!), but what happens once you cross the border is a different story.

The transplant coordinators where I work also said they would help out with what they could. Again though, it's the border thing.

Let's all just say our prayers and hope we can work this out.

Savilla, hang in there baby. We're trying to get help on the way!!

Sheryle (sorry, I'm A+)

That is awsome, hopefully it works out.
I had an intresting experience with Savilla. I was standing in the tunnel watching the game right before the 3rd so the Angels are standing all around me. The one Angels was trying to hand Savilla a key to their locker room, but could not reach. Me being a little taller grabed the key and handed it up to Savilla. In exchange I got the dirtiest look from both of them, like do I really want this guy to touch the key to the cheerleaders locker room? Either way I was not offended, it was kind of funny. I hope the best for Savilla, I got my fingers crossed.

[dougm]

this is truly a testament to what makes the nll special and unique. i hope for all the best as well.

[Gonzo In Roch]

St. Anne's and Gonzo's prayers go out to you Savilla.
Keep your chin up, stay positive, and all will be well.

[gmbjr]

If someone hasnt already, contact the Gift Of Life Foundation. They will help defray the costs and also help with information, ideas, etc. They were a godsend with my brother in law. The process to get approved to donate is very long, complicated, and stressful. These folks know all the ins and outs and will be happy to help where the hospitals will be too busy to do so.

[Tavares is God]

Our fingers are crossed and we are praying for the best, from Banditland to you.

[swami24]

Just happened to see this again, anyone have any news?

[Tom Wersderfer]

I got an e-mail from Savilla about three weeks ago. She hasn't heard anything yet.

Apparently they do not reveal any information about the potential donor to anyone including the potential recipient until they are sure the transplant can be done and the donor is sure they want to do it. They keep everything secret to make sure no one puts any pressure on the donor. Savilla also said that some times the donors get cold feet.

It's frustrating for Savilla and the rest of us not knowing what's going on until the transplant is a definite go but those are the rules.

[Eyes from Above]

Just keep us informed,and your still in our hearts and prayers...

[PhillySoldier]

I don’t think I would be acceptable as an organ donor but if I could help by donating blood, platelets or money please just let me know.

[Tom Wersderfer]

Thanks! We'll keep that in mind.

[Tom Wersderfer]

I received an e-mail regarding Savilla. Her friends and family have started a foundation and web site. Here is the information in the e-mail:

Hello friends,

This email is to inform you about the charity started by Savilla Kress's family and friends. Savilla is now in end-stage renal failure, with only 4% kidney function. She is currently on dialysis as life-sustaining therapy, which gives her an additional 10%, for a total of 14%. Normal kidney function is 100%. The waiting list for a kidney transplant in BC is 8 years, and she was put on the list in December 2007. Over 80% of Canadians support the organ donor program, but only 16% of British Columbians are registered to be cadaveric organ donors.


It was imperative to start this society to help Savilla and others like her.


For more information, please visit


http://www.savillashopefoundation.org/


Thank you,
Savilla's Hope Foundation

[banditslaxnut]

This is so sad . Unfortunately, I am unable to donate, as my blood type is A positive. Please keep me posted on Savilla's condition.

[Tom Wersderfer]

Lauren Ward has posted a story about Savilla on NLL Insider which includes details about how to donate to the foundation. Here is a link to the story:

http://www.nllinsider.com/2008/09/14...elp/#more-2326

The foundation web site that I listed in a previous post also has the donation information on it now.

[JSap]

I still have a bunch of Wings-related merchandise that Savilla created when she and Dallas were here (I used to sell it for them on my site) - maybe we can sell some of it to raise some money for this charity? I think some sort of live gathering would be the best thing - it avoids the whole shipping issue - maybe we can see if we can have a fund-raiser somewhere? Any ideas?

[PhillySoldier]

Originally Posted by JSap

I still have a bunch of Wings-related merchandise that Savilla created when she and Dallas were here (I used to sell it for them on my site) - maybe we can sell some of it to raise some money for this charity? I think some sort of live gathering would be the best thing - it avoids the whole shipping issue - maybe we can see if we can have a fund-raiser somewhere? Any ideas?

I'd be interested in see what items are available.

[RyanP]

Originally Posted by JSap

I still have a bunch of Wings-related merchandise that Savilla created when she and Dallas were here (I used to sell it for them on my site) - maybe we can sell some of it to raise some money for this charity? I think some sort of live gathering would be the best thing - it avoids the whole shipping issue - maybe we can see if we can have a fund-raiser somewhere? Any ideas?

First home game, or season ticket holder party? Maybe do it by raffle?

[McSwarmFan]

http://www.donatelifemn.org/

[RockFans]

Hopefully from the Insider article the lacrosse community helps to raise the money needed for her brothers testing.