Rotary Meeting March 23, 2021

President Chris opened the meeting at noon and MaryKay Bernosky led the pledge and prayer.

 

ATTENDANCE:  12 members were in actual attendance and 23 members participated virtually including our students of the month, Steve, and our presenter, Judy Meikle

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Chris Helt - we need volunteers for the pledge and prayer for upcoming meetings.  Please contact Rick McKee.

Liz Johnides - The Public House located in the Markets is opening this week Thursday, Friday, Saturday with limited hours.

 

 

PROGRAM:   Judy Meikle THE HEART OF A RANGER

 

Judy gave us a heartwarming(no pun intended), sometimes funny, and spirited account of her heart transplant.  Essentially about 13 years ago she felt very bad and thought it might be pneumonia.  It turned out to be severe heart issues and she was told she needed a heart transplant.  She spent a long time in the hospital and was finally placed on a list to receive a transplant after 8 mos.

 

Ben Lunn was an army Ranger who served 2 tours in Irag and then Afghanistan. He was an only child raised by a single mother. He and his men were on patrol and got into a firefight when they ere out numbered and out gunned.  He was severely wounded but managed to kill 10 Taliban soldiers and save a number of his squad members.  He was airlifted out and eventually made it to Walter Reed hospital in the States.  He was on the operating table and suddenly suffered a heart attack.

 

Meanwhile Judy was living her life in Chicago just waiting for the day that she might receive a call about a possible viable transplant.  She was with her friends when that call finally came in.   She had very little time to get her life in order and get herself to Northwestern Hospital.  Doctors have only four hours for a heart to remain outside of a body before they have to get it into the recipient.  This was going to be close!  The operation was successful and Judy received the heart of a Ranger with only 20 minutes to spare!  She got out of the hospital after only 9 days which is a very short time.  She has had no issues with rejection now after 12 years and is very healthy.  Doctors said she received a remarkably strong heart.  

 

Since that time a book has been written about her ordeal and especially the Ranger whose heart she received.  She speaks to various Clubs like Rotary to advocate for Organ  Donation.  In the US, a person dies every 90 minutes for lack of an organ donation.

 

Judy gave a wonderful presentation.  Thank you John Bailey for inviting her to speak!