 Rotary Int'l |
Gift of Life Program |
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Clubs represented
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10th Anniversary
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The History
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The children
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The latest
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This
wonderful program continues in 2002 and beyond...
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Nov. 10, 2002: We just returned from the Hospital visiting Diomar & Xiomara. When you look at this picture, I'm sure your heart will feel the same as mine right now. - PP Mike Miers, Oriskany Rotary, D7150 Nov. 25, 2002: Our 34th Gift of Life child, three year old Diomar, from the Dominican Republic, is out of the hospital and has returned to his Syracuse host family. However, the setback he had from an after-surgery infection will not allow him to be home for Christmas. There will be a party at the Rusty Rail in Canastota on January 3rd from 6-8 p.m. for he and his mother. Reservations are required by December 30th. The cost is $8 for a cold cut salad/ entrees-buffet dinner. Send your reservations and payment to Harry Hood, 3210 Seneca Turnpike, Canas-tota, NY 13032. |
Oct. 31, 2002: Diomar is still in critical care in the ICU at Upstate. The doctors and Mike say that this was truly an operation that was performed "just in time." He has made it through the first crucial hours of post operative surgery and should progress well from now on. He is being kept sedated to prevent any self inflicted injuries but does occasionally open his eyes. He does recognize his mother and his name when he is conscious. His skin color is no longer blue but rather a rosy pink. His Mom is truly grateful to everyone who has reached out to help make this come true. She wants everyone in Dist. 7150 to know that she is extremely grateful. Say a prayer for Diomars' continued recovery . Nov. 01, 2002 : They are keeping Diomar sedated to limit his heart rate for now, but he looked good, not at all like a little boy who has been through so much. The three years old and his mom are from the city of San Francisco in the Dominican Republic. |
 District Governor Bruce Frassinelli w/Nanette Tagayuna & Nyah |
 Nyah helps Mom out with the microphone as she thanks D7150 Rotarians for her Gift of Life |
 Surprising Nanette on her birthday! |
 The Dewitt Rotary Club welcomes Nanette Tagayuna & Nyah |
 The Eastwood Rotary Club welcomes Nanette Tagayuna & Nyah |
 Nanette feeding a happy, healthy baby |
 The Little Falls Rotary Club welcomes Nanette Tagayuna & Nyah |
 Enjoying the little one! |
 October 2001, Nyah Tagayuna in her Mommy's arms, the picture says it all... |
 Nanette Tagayuna, from the Philippines, thanks Rotary and District 7150 at a combined Utica/New Hartford Rotary Club meeting, as Gift of Life Chair PDG Mike Occhipinti looks on. |
 The GSE team from the Philippines with Nanette & Nyah |
 A happy Mom and a healthy child |
 Nanette & Nyah presenting to the Rome Rotary Club while Mike & Donna look on |
 Hey, this is a cool tree! |
 Hey, Donna & Mike, this hat is cool! |
 Nanette & Nyah w/New Hartford Rotary Club President Marlene Brown & Rome Fire & Police Commissioners |
 Nanette & Nyah w/ members of the Fulton Rotary Club |
 Nanette & Nyah w/ members of the Rome Rotary Club |
 Nanette & Nyah w/ members of the ? Rotary Club |
 Utica Rotary Club President Lou Gigliotti & committee members Chris Potocki & Anne Sullivan w/Nanette & Nyah |
Gift of Life 10th Anniversary Honorees & GOL Angels
 Sunday, November 5th, 2000: the arrival of little 6 year old, Cherry Ann Martin and her mother Janet Mohamas of Guyana. Cherry Ann has returned after 3 years for follow-up heart surgery provided for the D7150's Gift of Life program. She is scheduled for surgery on the 14th of this month. DG Ward & the GOL committee ask that you keep her in your prayers. Cherry Ann's surgery is sponsored by the Camillus, DeWitt, North Syracuse, Fulton, Little Falls and Oswego Clubs. |
 Donna, Little Dona and PDG Mike Occhipinti have taken Cherry Ann under their warm and protective wings and are settling them in to the Ronald MacDonald House in Syracuse. |
 PDG Mike Occhipinti & Donna w/ Dr. Berkeley Brandt, founding GOL surgeon |
 PDG Mike Occhipinti & Donna w/ Drs. Frank Smith and Craig Byrum |
 DG Ward Vuillemot chats w/Abby Lazar & Dr. Frank Smith |
 Award Recipients - Abby Lazar, Dr. Byrum, Dr. Brandt, and Dr. Smith |
 The Rotary crowd enjoying the event |
 DG Ward presents PHF to Rome Rotarian Rocco Versace, w/wife Cecile |
 Abby Lazar presented w/ International Service Award by PDG Mike |
 Rome President Ralph Froio MC's Event |
 The Engine's Angel, Donna Occhipinti, presents roses to Dona, the littlest angel |
 Angel translators, Laura and George Dmohowsky, presented roses |
 Dr. Craig Byrum, pediatric cardiologist & cardiology coordinator, accepts award |
 Dr. Berkeley Brandt, cardiothoracic surgeon & founder, accepts award |
 Rome Rotarian Bob Gilchriest presents Dr. Frank Smith, Pediatric Cardiologist, with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award |
 Dr. Smith happily accepts his award. |
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The Evening's Events & Its History
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A Message from PDG Mike: On September 12th, our District celebrated the 10th anniversary of our Gift of Life Program. Thirty one (31) children from nine (9) different countries. To me there is no greater program that I know of where we can save the life of a small child and give a new meaning to the word "Peace". At our dinner we honored the doctors and all those clubs that have been directly involved with our Gift of Life program. To make anything like this a success, we need the support from the Rotarians in our District, and the doctors who volunteered their services. Joining us at our dinner were the surgeons and cardiologist that we have worked with during the past 10 years from both University and Crouse Irving Hospitals. Many of the Rotarians in our District have been involved with hospital visitations, transportation, official greeters from their club when the mother and child first arrived in our country, and just being available whenever someone was needed. This celebration is our way to say "Thank You" on behalf of all of the families that we have been able to help. Governor Ward and June attended, along with many of our Past District Governors. My thanks to all involved, including Donna and little Dona - the engine and the angel. Michael Occhipinti, PDG 1985-1986, Chairman, Gift of Life, Rotary District 7150
President Ralph Froio called the special, evening meeting celebrating the ten-year anniversary of The Gift of Life Program (GOL) to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted and PP Dick Kahler led the group in singing My Country 'Tis of Thee. PDG Edward Paparella presented the invocation. Following the invocation, The Beeches staff served a de-licious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. President Ralph served as the master of ceremonies for the evening. DG Ward Vuillemot was pre-sent to give a general welcome to those in attendance. PDG Mike Occhipinti recognized the GOL committee and indicated that 36 Rotary Clubs in our District participated in GOL. PDG Mike and his committee presented recognition awards to representatives from all the participating clubs who were present at the celebration. Those clubs unable to attend will receive their awards at a later date. International Service Awards were presented to two of the participating doctors, Dr. Byrum and Dr. Brandt. Both expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in GOL. Unfortunately, Dr. Alfieris was not able to attend the dinner due to performing an extended surgery. PDG Mike and Donna Occhipinti were recognized for their unselfish contributions of time and talent. Donna was referred to as the "engine" that runs the GOL. Dr. Brandt commented, "When you see her coming, you'd better get out of her way." Dona Occhipinti (Little Dona) was recognized with a bouquet of red roses for her involvement with the individual GOL children and their moms. Dona does her best work kid to kid. Language is never a barrier for the children. Laura and George Dmohowski received a bouquet of white roses in recognition of their work providing Russian translation for GOL. The audience viewed a short segment of a GOL documentary done by a local journalist, Abby Lazar. PDG Mike presented Lazar with an International Service Award. Lazar expressed her appreciation and indicated how much the children involved in GOL have touched her life. She still stays in contact with some of the children from the program. Robert Gilchriest presented a Paul Harris Fellowship Award to Frank C. Smith, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist involved with GOL. DG Ward Vuillemot presented a Paul Harris Fellowship Award to Rome Rotarian, Rocco Versace. Cecile Versace was on hand to assist with the presentation. Rotarian Rev. Bob O'Meara closed the meeting with a fitting benediction, and President Ralph adjourned the meeting. written by Donna Schonewetter, Rome Bulletin Ass't Editor
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