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SANIYAH DAATELLE McCORD
"Children are a rewardfrom [the Lord]. Blessed is the man whose quiver isfull ofthem. The soul ofthe little child, that believes in Christ is as precious in His sight as are the angels about His throne!" Psalm]27.-3A, 5
Saniyah Danielle McCord was a blessing who was bom on July 1,7,6, 1993, at Portsmouth Naval Hospital inVirginia, to Sylvia LaShawn McCord and Derrick Paul Bouldin.
"Saniyah" means splendid, magnificent, beautiful, excellent, and distinguished, which she was indeed.
Saniyah was splendid in her giving,her joy of life, and even in her illness, She was a first grader attending Suisun City Elementary School in Suisun City, California. She worshipped with the Travis Air Force Base Chapel One Gospel Service. Saniyah loved learning new things. She enjoyed attending school and doing homework since her first day of school. Her favorite activities included drawing and writing. Her reflection in the mirror always brought a smile to her face. When she was dressed up with her hair and clothes "tight" she knew she was looking good. Saniyah was a beautiful child with lovely bright eyes and looked just like her mother. She enjoyed spending time with her mother, especially going to the movies and eating out. Among her favorite pastimes were having her picture taken and photographing others. Her favorite foods were tacos, chicken and hot sauce, and most of all chocolate cake. Her favorite color was yellow. You would often find Saniyah relaxing in front of the television watching videos; her favorites were "Grease 2" and "Cinderella", which she would watch repeatedly. She always looked forward to playing with her cousins.
Saniyah attended church regularly with her Great Aunt Juanita. At church she especially loved cmdren's church and hearing her cousin, Satrice, sing in the choir. Saniyah was a very warrn hearted child with a strong personality, she loved attention and made sure that everybody knew when Saniyah was "in the house!"
Saniyah, starting at the age of 4 months, endured 5 surgeries including a successu heart transplant performed at Stanford University Medical Center, Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, California on July 23, 1999. To maintain her health, she took approximately 9 medications 2 times a day. She developed diabetes, and had to monitor her glucose level. She needed insulin shots twice a day. Saniyah became adept at monitoring those who were managing her medical care often "telling" you what to do and how best to do it. After her heart transplant, Saniyah was transformed; she went from being fearful of doctors to wanting to become a doctor. We believe this was the result of the compassion demonstrated to her and her family initially by Dr. Norma Allgood at David Grant Medical Center and then by the health care professionals at Stanford University Medical Center, Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital. Saniyah was a very loving child who showed strength, courage and strong will. On January 9, 2000 all the pain and troubles of this world were lifted ftom her heart, mind, and body and Saniyah flew home with the angels to live with the Lord.
Saniyah touched the lives of many through her spirit, she was especially devoted to her mother Sylvia. We will always remember her for her strength, endurance and loving spirit. Saniyah leaves to cherish her memory a host of relatives and ftiends.
"I havefought the goodfight, I havefinished the race, I have kept thefaith... " 2 Timothy 4:7
God Saw You
God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms
Around you and whispered,
"Come to me."
With tearful eyes we watched you
And saw you pass away,
And though we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Tender hands were put to rest.
God broke our hearts
To prove to us
He takes only the best.
Author Unknown
The Gift of Sanivah
All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above.
We thank you Lord
For giving us Saniyah to Love,
You made her life a little lighter
That sets our hearts aglow,
And though she sits upon your lap
Our love for her will grow,
We wfll miss Saniyah's bright eyes
And her angelic grin,
We thank you Lord for her safe care
Until we meet her again.
God Bless all those who love her
Who think of her twenty four seven,
We know that she is at peace
Because she is with you in Heaven.
Adapted by
Patricia Kirkland
Pallbearers
KendO McCord
Sylvester McCord
Travon Murphy
Calvin Spellman
Honorary Pallbearers
Carlos Batista
Greg Coleman
Michael Lawson, Esq.
Charles Ryan Milus McCord
Dr. Benjamin Slade Jr.
Honorary Ushers
Honorable Judge Janice Brice
Mrs. Nell Broussard
Dr. Sherri Burwell
Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Esq.
Ms. Nicole Howell
Mrs. Brenda Johnson
Honorable Rischa Slade
Mrs. Nedra Smith Mrs.
Muzetta Thrower
Acknowledgements
The McCord family has been richly blessed by the love bestowed
upon us. Your presence, prayers and the numerous reflections of your fhendship
have carried us through these days. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We would especially like to thank:
Dr. Norma Allgood
Dr. Vincent Aluquin
SFC Carolyn Bennett
Dr. Ana Carolina Coll
Congressman George Miller, 7th Congressional District
Congressman Mike Thompson, I' Congre5sional District
Major Rickey F. Yates
Children's Hospital Oakland
Stanford University Medical Center, Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital
Social Workers, Doctors, and Staff Nurses and Health Care Professionals
Your support, expertise and advocacy have been an invaluable and most precious gift of God. To all we say "thank you" for your expressions of love shown during Saniyah's illness.
May God bless you and keep you always.
The Family
PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING AN ORGAN DONOR
 |
800 South Wells, Suite 190 Chicago, IL. 60607-4529 Tel. 312/431-3600 FAX 312/803-7643 www.robi.org |
|
August 1, 2001
is
National Minority Donor Awareness Day
Sign an organ donor card - to give the gift of life
Have a family discussion - to share your decision with your family
Practice a healthier lifestyle - to decrease the need for organ/tissue transplantation
THE NEED
~ Nationally 76,000 people are on the transplant list
~ Chicago/Northwest Indiana 4,600 men, women, and children are waiting for life-saving organs
~ 13 people die everyday waiting for organ transplants
~ Every 14 minutes someone is added to the national waiting list
~ Minorities make up over 50% of those waiting for ogran transplants
~ Diabetes and Hypertension are the teo major causes for organ transplants
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Become an organ/tissue donor! One organ/tissue donor can save or enhance the life of up to 50 people.
Acknowledge your wish to donate on your drivers license or by signing a donor card.
Have a family discussion, it is crucial that they know your wishes (family approval necessary).
For more information contact:
MOTTEPtm of Chicago/Northwest Indiana
Phone: 219-985-9504 or 219-397-4335 extension 18
FAX: 219-980-8566
July 2001
Dear Station Manager:
The National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) will be celebrating the Fifth National Minority Donor Awareness Day - August 1, 2001. We need your help!
On each August 1st, National Minority Donor Awareness Day (NMDAD) is observed to highly emphasize the need fr more minority donors. Nationally there are over 76,000 persons on the transplant waiting list. In Chicago/Northwest Indiana there are over 4,600 men, women and children waiting for life-saving organ transplants. Minorities make up nearly half of those on the national waiting list and more than 50% of those on the kidney transplant waiting list. NMDAD is currently celebrated in 25 cities nationwide, including National MOTTEP's fifteen cities. Wach city plans special community and media activities to highlight the need for motr organ/tissue donors as well as provide information about living healthier lifestyles to prevent the need for transplantation.
National MOTTEP is the first national program of its kind designed to educate African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Alaska Natives about the importance of organ and tissue donation. MOTTEP also educates communities about the diseases and behaviors which lead to the need for organ transplantation (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, alcohol and substance abuse, smoking, and poor nutrition), in order to decrease the number of persons who are added to the transplant waiting list. This component is especially important because every 14 minutes, a new name is added to the national transplant waiting list.
24-Hour Donor Hotline:800/545-GIFT (800/545-4438) Illinois & Northwest Indiana only
Myths and Misconceptions about Organ Donation
From the supermarket tabloids to the popular television programs and movies, Americans are subjected to many misconceptions about organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Though entertaining, these stories and shows create confusion in the public mind and frustration for medical professionals. By seperating fact from fiction, Americans will be better prepared to make the decision to donate for themselves and their loved ones.
| Myth | Fact |
| Wealthy or famous people get priority for organs | A national computer system and strict federal, regional and local systems are in place to ensure ethical and equitable distribution of organs. Organs are allocated based on the potential recipient's blood type, body size, medical urgency, length of time on the waiting list and proximity to his/her transplant center. |
| I heard about the guy who went to a party and woke up in a bathtub full of ice. His kidneys were stolen for sale on the black market. | There is no documented case of this ever happening. In the Uninted States, law prohibits buying and selling organs. This popular urban myth has been repeated many times in the newspapers and, most recently, over the Internet. |
| People have been known to "wake up" from brain death | Never. Brain death is a clinical and legal definition of death. Brain death occurs in patients who have suffered a severe, irreversible injury to the brain and brain stem. As a result of the injury, and despite all medical efforts, the brain swells and obstructs its own blood supply. Without blood flow, all brain tissue dies within a short period of time. Mechanical devices may maintain body functions, such as heartbeat and respiration, for a few hours or days but not permanently. A physician can confirm brain death using a strict neurological exam. |
| I'm too old or too sick to be a donor. | Age limits for organ donation vary. At the time of death, qualified medical personnel will review medical and social histories to deterine suitability on a case-by-case basis. |
| If I'm in an accident and the hospital knows I want to be a donor, the doctors won't try to save my life. | Organ and tissue recoverery takes place only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted and death has been legally declared. The doctors working to save your life are entirely separate from the medical team that would be involved in recovering organs and tissues. |
| All I need to do to become an organ donor is sign the back of my driver's license. | Signing a donor card or the back of your driver's license is only part of the process. The most important step to becoming an organ and/or tissue donor is sharing your decision with your family. Organ and tissue donation cannot occur without the written consent of your next-of-kin. Discussing donation with your family now is the best way to ensure that your wishes will be carried out. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Organ/Tissue Donation
| What organs/tissues can be donated?The liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, corneas, bone, saphenous veins, heart valves, small intestine and skin can be donated. | Are there any costs to my family for donation?No. Donation costs nothing to the donor's family or estate. The donor's family is responsible for hospital charges not involved with the donation and the donor's funeral arrangements. | |
| What organs/tissues are most needed? Corneas and kidneys are needed most in terms of the number of people waiting. In terms of lifesaving ability, hearts, lungs and livers are needed most. | Can organs be given to different racial and ethnic groups? Yes. Compatible blood types and organ size are critical to matching donor and recipient hearts, livers and lungs. But genetic makeup is especially important when matching kidneys; therefore, African-Americans will "match" better with a kidney donated from an African-American than any other race-as will Asians with Asians, etc. | |
| How long can organs and tissues survive before transplanted?
Organs may be transported hundreds or thousands of miles to reach recipients waiting in transplant centers, thanks to advances in medical technology and improved preservation
techniques. Preservation times vary for each organ, from 4 to 72 hours. Corneas must be transplanted within 5 to 7 days, but other tissue such as heart valves, skin, bone and saphenous veins can be preserved from 3 to 10 years. |
How did transplantation evolve? The first organ transplant in the world was performed at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL. There, in 1950, a kidney was transplanted into a 44 year old woman. However, very little transplantation was done until the 1980s, when the medical community began to better understand the importance of genetic makeup and developed immunosuppressive drugs to fight the body's rejection. Since then the number of transplants has risen from 9,100 in 1985 to nearly 22,000 in 2000. The number of transplants done today is limited by the number of available organs. | |
| Does the donor family meet the recipient? Most donor families are told the age, sex, occupation and other general characteristics of the recipient. If both the donor family and the recipient agree, they may exchange names and correspond and even meet. | If I choose to be an organ and tissue donor, how will my family be involved? At the time of death, families may be asked to consider organ and tissue donation. A ROBI coordinator and hospital staff will explain the donation process and answer the family's questions. If you have made the decision to be a donor, tell your family. Written consent from your next-of-kin is required for donation to occur. | |
| What is a living donor? A living donor has given part of an organ (liver, lung, pancreas) or one kidney from his/her own living body for transplantation, usually to a family member. A living donor's remaining kidney will do the work of two kidneys. And, since kidneys are matched genetically, donation from a family member may be more successful than from an unrelated donor. |
Facts about Organ and Tissue Donation
More than 75,000 people in the United States, including more than 4,000 men, women and children in Illinois, are waiting for a healthy organ to replace a failing kidney, heart, lung, liver, small intestine or pancreas. Thousands more await a tissue transplant.
| The need is critical. Each year, the number of organs donated for transplant in the U.S. falls tragically short of the need. Sadly, 16 Americans die every day awaiting transplant and every 14 minutes another person is added to the national waiting list. | Donating organs/tissue helps the family's bereavement process. Studies have found that donating the organs and tissue of a loved one who has died helps bereaved family members in their grieving process. | |
| Virtually anyone is a potential donor. Organ and tissue donors typically are healthy people who have suffered from a life-ending trauma to the brain and are declared brain dead, In this condition, brain function has permanently ceased but the heart and lungs continue to function temporarily with the use of mechanical devices. Those who suffer cardiac death, which means the heart and lungs have permanently stopped functioning, can donate tissue such as skin, bones, corneas, heart vavles and sapheneous veins. One donor can potentially save or enhance the lives of more than 25 people. | Organ and tissue donation does not disfigure the body. Organs and tissue are recovered in a dignified surgical procedure. Donation does not disfigure the body and will not interfere with customary funeral arrangements. Open-casket visitation, burial and cremation are all possible. | |
| The vast majority of religious groups support donation as a charitable act of giving. Some religious groups have taken a very proactive stance in recent years, feeling that a resolution or adopted position encourages people to seriously consider the matter and plan accordingly. This appears to be a growing trend. | It is illegal to buy or sell organs and tissues in the U.S. Federal law mandates that neither the donor nor his/her heirs may receive payment for donating organs and tissue. | |
| Donation does not affect the medical treatment a patient receives. Transplant surgical teams are, by law, forbidden to take any part in a patient's medical care. Transplant teams become involved only after the family has given permission for donation. | There is no cost to donate organs or tissue. The donor's family is responsible only for medical costs prior to giving consent for donation and for funeral costs. | |
| Share your life. Share you decision. The first step to becoming an organ/tissue donor is sharing your decision with your family. You can also sign a uniform donor card (available from ROBI) or the back of you driver's lincense or state identification card. Write directly on the plastic laminate of the driver's lincense or ID with a ball point pen. Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian serve as one of the two required witnesses. Remember your loved ones must give written consent before donation can occur so.....Share You Decision. |
Religious Views on Organ and Tissue Donation
Research shows that the vast majority of religious groups support organ and tissue donation as a charitable act of giving. Some groups have taken a very proactive stance in recent years, feeling that a resolution or adopted position encourages people to seriously consider the matter and plan accordingly. This appears to be a growing trend.
The following is an overview of most major religions and their general views regarding organ and tissue donation.
| AME & AME Zion Organ and tissue donation is viewed as an act of neighborly love. They encourage donation as a way of helping others. | Islam Islam strongly believes in the principle of saving human lives and has permitted transplantation as a "...necessity to procure that noble end." | |
| Assembly of God The church highly supports donation, and the decision to donate is up to the individual. | Jehovah's Witness Jehovah's Witnesses believe that donation is a matter of individual decision. It is often assumed that they are against donation because of their opposition to blood transfusions. However, this merely means that all blood must be removed from the organs/tissue before being transplanted. | |
| Baptist Organ and tissue donation is supported as an act of charity. The Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution in 1988 to "...encourage voluntarism regarding organ donation in the spirit of stewardship, compassion for the needs of others and alleviating suffering." | Judaism All four branches of Judaism support and encourage donation. According to Orthodox Rabbi Moses Tendler, chairman of Bioethics Commission of the Rabbinical Council of America, "If one is in the position to donate an organ to save another's life, it's obligatory to do so, even if the donor never knows who the beneficiary will be." | |
| Buddhism Buddhists believe that organ and tissue donation is a matter of individual conscience, and place high value on acts of compassion. | Lutheran The church has stated that donation contributes to the well-being of humanity. They call on members "to consider donating...and to make any necessary family and legal arrangements, including the use of a signed donor card." | |
| Catholicism Catholics view organ and tissue donation as an act of charity and love. Pope John II stated, "the Catholic Church would promote the need for organ donors and that Christians should accept this challenge to their generosity and fraternal love so long as ethical principles are followed." | Mormon (Church of Latter-day Saints) The church believes the decision to donate is an individual one made in conjunction with family, medical personnel and prayer. The church has no objection to an individual decision in favor of donation. | |
| Christian Church The church encourages donation, stating that "we were created for God's glory and for sharing God's love." A 1985 resolution encourages "members of the Christian Church to enroll as organ donors and prayerfully support those who have received an organ transplant." | Presbyterian Presbyterians encourage and support donation. They respect a person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body. | |
| Christian Science Christian Scientists normally rely on spiritual means of healing instead of medical. However, they are free to choose whatever form of medical treatment they desire, including a transplant. The question of donation is an individual choice. | Seventh-Day Adventist Donation and transplantation are strongly encouraged. Seventh-Day Adventists' transplant hospitals include Loma Linda in California, which specializes in pediatric heart transplants. | |
| Episcopal Members are encouraged to become organ, blood and tissue donors "...as part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave His life that we may have life in its fullness." | Unitarian Universalist Organ and tissue donation is supported by the church as an act of love and selfless giving. | |
| Greek Orthodox The church supports donation as long as the organs and tissues are used to better human life, i.e. for transplantation or for research that will lead to improvements in the treatment and prevention of disease. | United Church of Christ The church is extremely and overwhelmingly supportive of organ sharing. | |
| Hinduism Hindus believe the act of donation is an individual decision. | United Methodist The church recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation, and, in a policy statement, strongly encourages all Christians to become organ and tissue donors by signing and carrying cards or driver's licenses, attesting to their commitment. |
For more information about religious views on organ and tissue donation, please speak to your religious leader or call ROBI at 312/431-3600.
Online archives from the Fairfield Daily Republic. Starting April, 1999
March 15, 2000
Jumping Rope to Honor Classmate
By Barry Eberling
SUISUN CITY - Suisun Elementary School first-graders jumped rope Wednesday and remembered their classmate Saniyah.
Saniyah Danielle McCord had five surgeries during her short life, including a successful heart transplant in July 1999. She dies on Jan. 9 at age 6.
Suisan students annually get sponsors and jump rope for half-an-hour to benefit the American Heart Association. The event is called Jump Rope for Heart.
Teacher Bonnie Munkholm's first-graders thought of Saniyah as they prepared to jump rope. but then, they think if her almost every day.
Saniyah died from the medication associated with the transplant, Munkholm said. Munkholm had to help her students grapple with the tragedy.
"We dealt with it directly," Munkholm said.
She told the students what had happened to Saniyah and why. The district provided psychologists to talk with the children.
About half the class attended Saniyah's funeral. The students drew pictures of her and wrote about her for therapy. Munkholm said they did their best work this school year.
"They really put their heart into it," Munkholm said
.
The first-graders can't grasp the situation as older children would, Munkholm said. But they realize what happened.
"They know she's not coming back. She's gone," Munkholm said.
Saniyah was born in Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia and lived in Suisun City for two years. She loved school and doing her homework and hearing the children's choir at the Travis Air Force Base Chapel One Gospel Service, according to her obituary.
She made an impression on her classmates.
"Saniyah's got a new teacher up in heaven," Damian Johnson said.
"I remember how I made her laugh. Made funny noises," Malique Earl said.
"She will always be in our hearts," Sarah Kinsely said.
She'll always be our sister," Lindsay Meerberger said.
Saniyah's face got swollen from the medication she was taking. That made her shy about getting up in front of the class to give a speech.
Nicholas Lundquist remembered how the class clapped and cheered after she had done so.
Kaialani Cruz had a concrete memory of Saniyah.
"We feel Saniyah's warm, chubby hand," she said.
Daniel Mendieta said Saniyah never got her stick in the box. Than means she never misbehaved.
"She's a pretty, little angel," Karleen Schlichtmann said.
Jump Rope for Heart usually raises about $2 million in California. Several other local schools participate.
But, for Munkholm's class, this year's event was special.
"We're doing it for Saniyah," student Gage LuMaye said.
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