Summer inspires renewal of mission, and commitment to the future at AlloSource

The last several months marked a period of invigorating collaboration with other tissue and donor organizations and served as yet another reminder to me and my AlloSource colleagues about the importance of remaining committed to our mission.

In June, we attended the annual Association of Organ Procurement Organizations meeting in Baltimore where we heard stirring news from some of the leading organizations in our industry, many of whom are doing exciting work to advance tissue transplantation for future generations. We were proud to speak with these peers about the research and development going on here at AlloSource, and our commitment to improving the possibilities of tissue transplant.

In July, we were energized at our AlloSource Donor Authorization Summit, which brought together organ and tissue procurement agencies from around the country to share best practices. This year’s focus was on celebrating the gift of donation, and the group also discussed methods for continuing to improve consent rates and scientific breakthroughs, including the usage of stem cell products.

We rounded out July with the always celebratory and moving Donor Dash – coordinated by Denver’s Donor Alliance in its 18^th year.  The 5K run/walk honoring organ and tissue donors and recipients was a cheerful event, but also a powerful reminder of the impact we and the entire donation industry have on lives around the country.

I am always reminded that AlloSource is built upon an unwavering commitment to our mission: Honoring the gift of donation, AlloSource responsibly develops, processes and distributes life-saving and life-enhancing human tissue for our communities. Our jobs, regardless of what you do, transcend the day-in, day-out work that we do each day at AlloSource; we are part of a larger cause to help people in need an honor brave donors who make the ultimate gift. I know that my colleagues at AlloSource and the entire organ and tissue industry are as conscious of this duty as I am.

The theme of this year’s 27^th annual meeting of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) was Focus on the Future.

The Tissue Council Meeting headed up the agenda on day one. The Tissue Council membership is made up of representatives from many different OPOs and tissue banks across the country.  The highlight of the council meeting was a panel discussion held between attendees and senior representatives from the major tissue processors in the US.  The panelists discussed the changing landscape of tissue banking and what they foresee the course of tissue transplantation will be in the future, including cells/live cell grafts as the future of tissue donation. 

Several presentations and discussions were held on first person consent/donor designation and state-based donor registries.  Across the country OPOs are doing innovative things to increase public awareness of their state registries and increasing the numbers of people registered as organ, tissue and eye donors.  It was pointed out that when a donor family knows that their loved one wished to be a donor, it makes the donation process much easier.  Thus, OPOs are encouraging registered donors to share their wishes with their families.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the ceremony of the Crystal Heart Award, which is presented to a donor family dedicated to donation and transplantation.  This year the award was presented to Jill Stephenson.  Her son, Cpl. Ben Kopp, was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan.  Ben’s mother was approached about organ donation.  While facing the loss of her only child, she made the courageous decision to say yes.  Read more about this amazing story in the Washington Post here. “It helps my sorrow; it eases my pain. It really does,” Jill told the Post of knowing that Ben’s donation helped others. “I know that Ben wanted to help save lives . . . and it really prolongs Ben’s life and honors his memory so much and honors me in that we could save other lives.”

Thanks to all those who participated this year.  After attending, I am sure that the future of donation is bright. 

-          Heather Luders, Donor Field Services Representative

A short tour of the leading laboratory where AlloSource develops new life-saving and life-enhancing tissue allografts

Discover the laboratory where AlloSource ensures the safety of its allografts

Take a look inside AlloSources cutting-edge stem cell laboratory, where the company is developing new types of allografts that promote tissue regeneration

Several employees accompanied Manuel and his caregiver CoCo to Pasadena. They all were touched by the emotional and inspiring event; a few of their stories:

“What a wonderful experience.  The reception dinner was very emotional.  I had the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the donor families.  The strength and courage they have is truly amazing.  Having them all gathered at a dinner was really something. You could feel the emotions in the air.  Day two we were off to the float decorating.  So many volunteers were working so hard.  The detail of the floragraphs is just amazing.  I had the opportunity to talk with the float designer and when it all came together there was a true sparkle in his eye.  When the completed float was pulled outside into the California sunshine it was magnificent.  Day three was parade day. I was so proud seeing our float coming down Colorado Blvd., being part of something so spectacular is really special.   Then there were all the other floats but none had the meaning and emotion as New Life Rises. After the parade was a reception for the float riders. Manuel is a true hero.   He talked about riding on the float and what a remarkable experience it was.  I feel truly blessed to have been a part of such a wonderful event.” - Jerry Glassman

“The trip to the Rose Bowl Parade was amazing.  Being at the construction site of the float gave me a great feeling of community and camaraderie.  It was wonderful to work with the people who create these floats and see their pride in the project.  When the completed float was finally out in the open air, one could not help but feel proud to even have a small part in the creation of the New Life Rises Float.   Looking at the Floragraphs of the donors was humbling, these seeded pictures brought life to the donors that are AlloSource.  Getting to know Manuel was an opportunity I would not turn away.  His face during most of the proceedings told it all:  we are all connected and we all draw strength from each other.  I am proud to be part of such an environment as the donor community.” - Ros Solis

I am continually invigorated by modern science that finds new ways to use donated human tissue to treat a host of medical conditions. I am very proud to have some of this pioneering innovation happening right here at AlloSource.

Last month, we shared two important new products with the world’s leaders in spinal care at the North American Spine Society (NASS) conference. These products, AlloStem Stem Cell Bone Growth Substitute and AlloWrap Natural Wound Cover, will provide new solutions for surgeons to form bone and cover wounds. You can read more about AlloStem further in the newsletter and on our blog.

I believe that the real thrill in any medical science is watching it come full circle.  As we all celebrate the things that we are thankful for this year during the year-end holiday season, it is especially poignant to reflect on the true miracles that tissue donation makes possible for patients in need. We include two such stories in this newsletter: one from donor and recipient mother Julie Prangl and another recent broadcast news story about tissue recipient and quadruple amputee Manuel Salazar. It’s such a privilege to see the science of tissue transplantation come to life in stories like this.

Happy Holidays,
Tom Cycyota, Chief Executive Officer

A little more than a year ago we undertook the development of an adult stem cell technology platform with the goal of combining it with allografts to produce products with enhanced tissue regeneration capabilities.  We took a road less traveled with respect to the source of the cells.  Traditionally the focus has been on using bone marrow derived cells.  But limitations in quantity and recovery difficulties resulted in our choosing adipose tissue (fat in everyday parlance) as the source of cells.

Through an extraordinary cooperation between Donor Services, R&D, Project Management, Engineering and Operations, we were able to produce a portfolio of the most advanced cell-based bone allografts and will make them available to surgeons later this year. This is perhaps the most technically difficult project AlloSource has ever undertaken, requiring team members to step out of their traditional comfort zones as well as step up to the challenges of working on the cutting edge of innovation. In 2010 we will be exploring new applications for this abundant source of stem cells. 
  
While the team members are the direct beneficiaries of the learning and team-building experiences gained through working on this project, sharing those experiences with others will make us a better organization – one that is up to the challenges of advancing life-saving and life-enhancing solutions for the recipients of human cells and tissue.

Simon Bogdansky 
Vice President, R&D

Dillon Reservoir in Dillon, CO

Photo by: Sharon Tung, Purchasing Manager