Steve Ferkau's Page
Profile Information
- What is your city / state and country of residence?
- Chicago, IL USA
- How are you touched by transplantation?
- I am a Recipient, I am a Relative of Someone with a Transplant
- If you are a recipient, what type of transplant did you receive?
- Double Lung
- Recipients: In this space, feel free to list those you are grateful to for receiving the Gift of LIfe:
- Kari Westberg, my donor -- and her family and friends
- If you are a recipient, what type of donor did you receive your Gift of Life from?
- Deceased Donor
- If you are a recipient, when did you have your transplant(s)?
- April, 2000
- What is your principal transplant med(s)?
- Rapamune, Prograf, prednisone
- What is your hospital and, or doctor's name, city / state and country?
- Garrity, Chicago IL
- What do you do for a living?
- Manager, Chicago Stock Exchange
- About Me: Please use this space to tell the community about yourself and your unique experience with transplantation:
- I have cystic fibrosis -- I lived for almost 40 years with lousy lungs -- I had a double lung transplant in April, 2000. I learned my donor was a precious 17-year-old girl from Iowa. I am in direct contact with her family and I've met them -- I am now friends with several of her friends and blog with one of them -- I do an anual stairclimb, the Hustle up the Hancock in Chicago and her friends and volleyball teammates join me in the climb.
- How did you find out about TransplantCafe.com?
- Nelson Freytes invited me
- What is your relationship status?
- Married
- Entertainment: What is Your Favorite Type of Music, Bands, Movies, Art, Books, etc.?
- Favorite Music: Sons of the Never Wrong
- My Personal (non-commercial) Website, Page, or Blog URL:
- http://www.ClimbingForKari.org
- My Blog RSS Feed:
- http://www.ReviveHope.com
Forum
Cancer Risk for Liver Transplant Recipients 1 Reply
Started by Bill Oltman in New to the Cafe? Introduce Yourself to the Community!. Last reply by Nelson Freytes 48 minutes ago.
help help i am techno- challenged !!! 3 Replies
Started by riki in Website Features Support, Feedback & Suggestions. Last reply by Nelson Freytes 2 hours ago.
How long has your transplanted kidney lasted 2 Replies
Started by Diana in General Discussion & Community. Last reply by Brian 7 16 hours ago.
The Gift of Life 1 Reply
Started by Dianne Lovely in General Discussion & Community. Last reply by Jeffrey Isaacs Oct 9.
scars 7 Replies
Started by riki in General Discussion & Community. Last reply by Peach 1 day ago.
I thought l would say hello! I'm the new girl on the block! 18 Replies
Started by Jane Tucker in New to the Cafe? Introduce Yourself to the Community!. Last reply by riki 2 hours ago.
obstructions 1 Reply
Started by Kandee in Kidney / Pancreas Transplants. Last reply by Troy K. Childers Oct 7.
Hi from Madison, WI 3 Replies
Started by Kim Bolinder in New to the Cafe? Introduce Yourself to the Community!. Last reply by Beth Sharer Oct 8.
Moving on up..... 3 Replies
Started by Meghann M. in Lung Transplants. Last reply by Meghann M. Oct 7.
Solu-medrol 4 Replies
Started by Gail Csizmar in New to the Cafe? Introduce Yourself to the Community!. Last reply by Gail Csizmar 22 hours ago.
Blog Posts
Open Letter To Members of Transplant Cafe.
Posted by Jeffrey Isaacs on October 11th, 2008 at 12:16pm — 5 Comments
Dave Undis And Life Sharers
Posted by Nelson Freytes on October 11th, 2008 at 11:30am — 5 Comments
Bring Mary Jo back!!!
Posted by Suzanne Cicchini on October 9th, 2008 at 8:14am — 4 Comments
HOW DO YOU FEEL ALLOWING INMATES TO DONATE?
Posted by Karen Weddick on October 8th, 2008 at 11:00pm — 9 Comments
He is not a doctor, nor has he been in a "need" situation and wth is this?I am a Transplant Facilita…
Posted by Suzanne Cicchini on October 8th, 2008 at 8:25pm — 7 Comments
LIFE WHAT?
Posted by Suzanne Cicchini on October 8th, 2008 at 8:07pm
Why I joined TransplantCafe
Posted by Gail Csizmar on October 8th, 2008 at 7:33pm
Should Lifeshares be allowed on Transplant Cafe? VOTE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Jeffrey Isaacs on October 8th, 2008 at 5:00pm — 25 Comments
I"m now #1 on the list for my blood type!! :) WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!
Posted by Meghann M. on October 5th, 2008 at 3:21pm — 6 Comments
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Comment Wall (26 comments)
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Your donor Kara was truly an angel. You have been blessed. Her family are in my thoughts and prayers. As a donor mom, I can assure you Kara's family is so very honored and deeply (to their very core) happy to have you in their lives. My daughter, Sharday's passing (an auto accident the day before Thanksgiving 2003) was instant, making organ donation impossible. She was a heart value, skin, bone and tissue donor, helping 48 people across the country. In most cases donor families will never have contact. I know in my heart Sharday's unconidtional love continues.
Your's & Kara's story is one re-birth. Thank you for sharing with me and giving me a little more peace.
Wishing yoy beauty in every single day.
Sherry
How are you? It seems like a decade since we've seen/or chatted! haha..hope all is well! xoxo
Hows your health been since your Transplant.
I really hope I do give hope to other ladys who are think about having a baby and she is a gift from god and I am sooooo blessed to have my Transplant and Meg hope to hear from you soon god bless nicola
You're a member of Team Iowa now - consider it done!
I will snag you in the Spring at the IDN gala in Iowa City. We always come home with some awesome items. My daughter is working part time at IDN in North Liberty. She works for Paul. Yes - Paul is the greatest!!!
I will check out My Angel Foundation and the Revive Hope sites. I'm always looking for more ways to become involved. The PAC appointment has been very rewarding. This is my first year and I felt very lost at the first meeting but things are better with each meeting. It's quite an honor. I'm the Region 8 rep.
The Games is an awesome experience. I didn't bring any hardware home from my first Games in 2006 but I came home with a full heart. The people you meet (espeically meeting my donor family) is far better than any medal. It's quite a celebration and only regretted I hadn't been there before. Yes, we'd love to have you on Team Iowa. There 100 people going from Team Iowa. That is counting donor families and support people. It's a great time and do plan to attend in 2010!
Smiles & Hugs,
Kim
Yes, I've attended the gala every year too. You did a great job as the auctioneer this year not to mention the great encouragement you gave everyone prior to the auction.
Sounds like your speaking engagement with the high school students was a huge success - 400 students is awesome!! Way to go! I know about the emotional part also - it's always a little more difficult when someone in my family or a very close friend is there watching. My donor family is in Michigan so I don't run into them or their friends. My donor dad did come and spend the weekend with us in June - what a treat!
Are you involved or maybe even founder of MyAngelFoundation? I went to the IDN volunteer workshop a couple of weeks ago and asked Paul Sodders if this is something I should be involved with and he said "definitely Yes." I've done a lot of speaking over the past several years - mostly driver's ed. I will go to the website and become registered - I want to know about more volunteer opportunities. I'm also on the OPTN/UNOS Patient Affairs Committee. It's amazing where the transplant journey as taken me.
I'm gearing up to attend the transplant games. Are you going?
Smiles & hugs,
Kim
You looked very familiar and I couldn't place the face!!! Yes -- I spoke at the Iowa Donor Network Gala a few years ago -- I've been there every year since... This year I was a kinda-impromptu auctioneer!!!
I hope you're doing well... I'm doing freakin' awesome (as usual -- I'm breathing...) I just got off a wonderful little speaking gig in front of 400 high school kids interested in a medical career... A friend of Kari's (my donor) joined us and was in the audience -- a girl who was one of her volleyball teammates... Having someone like that there always makes it more emotional for me...
What have you been up to?!?!
Love,
Steve
I believe we've met before. Did you happen to speak for the Iowa Donor Gala a couple of years ago?
Kim
I haven't heard back from them; would you mind sending me your copy or copying it and sendin' me that copy?? haha..that's a lot of copy...LOL. I hope the day is going fabulous for you!! I wish you were going to the games:( But we will have to catch up soon!
xoxo
Jen
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