Volunteer Recognition

Each month we recognize volunteers for their exceptional service. They are our Stars of the Month!

July 2007
Cassandra Tolman, Ashland, OR, living donor and recipient family member
As Miss Rogue Valley and first runner-up in the 2007 Miss Oregon Scholarship Pageant, passionately and professionally represented Donate Life Northwest as her platform.

August 2007
Gary Kisling, Tigard, OR, heart recipient
Brings his generosity, support, advice and wisdom to the Donate Life Northwest Board of Directors, serving as former board treasurer, co-chair of the Fund Development Committee, and chair for several years of the golf tournament committee.

September 2007
Mary Ray, Albany, OR, kidney recipient
Equipped with passion, dedication, an engaging personality, and a laptop computer with mobile donor registry software, has championed organ, eye and tissue donation and the donor registry throughout her community of Corvallis, OR.

October 2007
Elise Gillem, Bend, OR, kidney recipient
Gave countless hours of professional experience and strength as a producer scheduling, traveling, listening and mentoring as well as editing, narrating and selecting music to produce the powerful, poignant 2007 Donate Life Northwest Lifesavers Breakfast video.

November 2007
David Watson, Salem, OR, hospital chaplain
His consistent, gentle ways continue to reap the benefit of increasing donor designations. The majority of Donate Life Northwest’s National Donor Sabbath participants responded to his personal appeal to the faith leaders in his community. He also led the effort to secure Salem Hospital’s participation in the 12 Weeks of Giving Campaign as a Workplace Partner (Community Champion), hosting a registry signup station for hospital employees and visitors.

December 2007
Rocky Johnson, Lake Oswego, OR, donor father
As a member of the Donate Life Northwest Business Leadership Committee, conceived and led the development of a community-wide donor registry challenge drive. Participants in this pilot project included the Lake Oswego school board, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, motor vehicle office, a Red Cross blood drive, Chamber of Commerce and newspaper.

January 2008
Chelsea Ryan, Grants Pass, OR, student, Grants Pass High School
Through her senior project, engaged the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) organization at Grants Pass High School in a donor registry drive resulting in 185 donor designations among students, teachers and staff.

February 2008
Mitch Davis, Bend, OR, heart recipient
Mitch designed, created and installed Oregon’s first Donor Designation Kiosk that has recently been installed in Jake’s Diner on Hwy 20 in Bend, OR. A natural net worker, Mitch’s connections resulted in Donate Life Northwest having a regular educational article for a year in “Dealer Solutions”, a bimonthly publication to auto dealers across the state. He has also lined up a number of local media events in Bend.

March 2008
Rosie Tabb, Portland, OR, heart recipient
Rosie and her team of friends help put together our “Spring for Life” card campaign in preparation for April, National Donate Life Month, by collating nearly 10,000 cards!!

April 2008
Kathy Westmoreland, Springfield, OR, Mother of heart recipient and donor Mother
Courageously sharing son Dustin’s story with the Les Schwab staff, Kathy secured a new Donate Life Northwest Workplace Partner, Les Schwab Tire Centers. Les Schwab has given permission to all their store managers to display information about Donate Life Northwest in their lobbies and waiting areas.

May 2008
Ruth Prier, Tualatin, OR, and Loyce Martinazza, Lake Oswego, OR
Together Ruth and Loyce volunteered over 250 hours of dedicated and consistent office work last year packing and mailing materials to schools, businesses, civic organizations and churches throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington to promote Donate Life Northwest’s lifesaving educational programs.

June 2008
Eric Brown, Portland OR, Member Donate Life Northwest Board of Directors
For service on Donate Life Northwest’s Board of Directors 2005-present. As past Chair of Leadership Committee, helped establish a solid foundation for Board recruitment and retention. As Chair of the Fund Development Committee, engaged Board of Directors in fundraising efforts, while establishing and monitoring fundraising goals for the organization. Has worked closely with Donate Life Northwest employees to launch staff enhancement and retention practices.

Awards

Judy Mountain Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service

2007: Bob Dexter, liver recipient, Portland, OR
2006: Rob Ayers, liver recipient, Portland, OR
2005: Gene Mask, liver recipient, Longview, WA
2004: Tracy Hoyle, heart recipient, Sandy, OR
2003: John Parker, heart recipient, Seal Rock, OR

Outstanding Health Care Professional Award

2007: Christine Stockdale, Lane Memorial Blood Bank, Eugene
2006: Roberta Ruimy, Portland VA Medical Center
2005: Michael Seely, Director, OHSU Transplant Services Department
2004: Corrina Patzer, Lions Eye Bank of Oregon
2003: Roberta Ruimy, Portland VA Medical Center

Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award

2005: Roy Abramowitz, heart recipient, Principal, Perkins & Company, Portland, OR
Gary Kisling, heart recipient, Owner, Gary A. Kisling, CPA, Portland, OR

Outstanding Educational Partner

2006: Lori Barr, Coordinator, Discover OHSU Program

Visionary Leadership Award

2006: Dave DeMots, President, DHX Advertising, Portland, OR
2005: Dennis Tichenor, donor family, Portland, OR

Philanthropist Award

2007: Ted Bentley & Cathy Bentley, liver recipient, Vancouver, WA

Inspirational Courage Award

2004: Thom Cheadle, kidney recipient, Vancouver, WA

Registry Award

2007: Mary Ray, kidney recipient, Albany, OR

Community Champion Award

2007: Salem Hospital & Chaplain David Watson

Student Champion Award

2006: John Powers, Eagle Scout, Beaverton, OR