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Tuesday, January 29, 2013
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Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Hopeful hearts
Community rallies around transplant hopeful Allysa Sandeen in benefit at Kato Ballroom. ElISE KONERZA
staff writer
The Kato Ballroom rang with hope on behalf of Alyssa Sandeen, of Mankato, Sunday afternoon. Sandeen is a 22year-old survivor of four near death experiences and continues to fight for her life while waiting for a new donor heart. Sandeen’s initial battle with hardship began with flu-like symptoms in early August of 1998. After being admitted to the Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Sandeen had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy – which is a weakening of the heart muscle, believed to be hereditary. Her heart grew four times its normal size and doctors at the hospital gave her a grim prognosis. Her father, Chris Sandeen, said doctors emphasized at the time she had a less than 5 percent chance at survival. News of an available heart arrived just in time as doctors presumed she had only a day or two left to live. Even more so, she already had her last rites read to her. This day of good news,
Sept. 4, is still celebrated in the family as Sandeen’s second birthday. Since the transplant, Sandeen has been living a normal life as best as possible, competing in dance for six years and graduating from high school, working and starting college. Progress began to dwindle as the anti-rejection medication prescribed for her heart transplant had weakend her kidneys. “The doctors at Mayo told us that regardless of what kind of transplant you have, the anti-rejection medication can be very harmful to the kidneys,” Chris Sandeen said. “And there are no alternative medications out there.” Sandeen continuously visits the doctor every four months to monitor her health and the functionality of her new heart, until functions hindered progress in 2008. Sandeen’s kidneys minimized their functionality to merely 19 percent. After numerous hospital visits, Sandeen was placed on the kidney donor list, but the wait extended up to three years. March 2010, Lisa Sandeen,
You can help. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Services... 116,857 peope are currently waiting for an organ. 18 people die every day waiting for a transplant. 1 organ donor can save 8 lives.
Register at Donate Life Minnesota
william cahyadi • msu reporter Local residents converged on the Kato Ballroom Sunday, despite the icey conditions, to lend their support to Alyssa Sandeen, whose for life continues as she awaits a new heart.
the mother of Alyssa Sandeen, would undergo a successful kidney transplant surgery for her daughter’s survival, only to be admitted once more, this time on Nov. 13, 2012, her father said. Sandeen’s heart had stopped twice one Tuesday morning, and after undergoing CPR for two and a half hours, doctors questioned if brain damage had been sustained. Sandeen proved them wrong yet again, showing signs of progress into the evening, while remaining on a heart and lung machine. In November, Sandeen was removed from the heart and lunch machine, but doctors and surgeous warned that her condition was still “critical” as she had still been on “breathing” life support and dialysis for her donor kidney. But doctors claimed that Sandeen would likely be in the hospital for at least two more weeks. “That’s okay, as long as she is improving, baby-steps are okay,” Chris said. On November 23, Sandeen’s breathing tube was
removed and she uttered her first words, “I went through hell.” Sandeen had a biopsy done, taking six tiny pieces off her donor heart. The biopsy showed no signs of rejection. Sandeen was allowed to go back home for Christmas but on New Year’s Eve was hospitalized again, as doctors believed Sandeen had a small heart attack and was admitted to Saint Mary’s hospital until a heart is available again. The latest update from Sandeen herself on Jan. 12, 2013 encouraged awareness of organ donation saying, “you can save numerous peoples’ lives just by putting an organ donor on your ID.” The event Sunday, asked for a $10 donation for admittance, including door prize drawings, and drawings for organ donor card holders. On-site donor registration was available, silent auctions and a bake sale upheld the event’s entertainment for attendees. Live music by The AllStars Band, featuring Paul Durenberger and Gary Tyson sustained a festive and cheer-
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ful ambience. Many people were eager to volunteer and donate on Sandeen’s behalf, with over 200 silent auction items made available. 2013 Miss Mankato Gabrielle Chavers made an appearance at Sandeen’s benefit while the crowd made its way through countless games of cake walk, bean bag toss, ring toss, a craft and coloring area, hula hoops and more. Positive responses rendured with attendees in support of Sandeen’s mission on the “Alyssa Sandeen Is a Blessing” Facebook Page. “I had a good time at Sandeen benefit! Stay strong Alyssa!” Nicole Madson said. Contributions can be made at anytime at Wells Fargo Bank into the Alyssa Sandeen IRR Trust Benefit (8962) or be mailed to Alyssa Sandeen Benefit (#8962), Wells Fargo Bank, 1901 Bassett Dr., Mankato, MN 56001. You can follow Sandeen’s Caring Bridge at www.caringbridge.org/visit/alyssasandeen for more updates or visit alyssasandeen.com.
SPORTS A&E
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