Many people have questions about the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on organ and tissue donation and transplantation. To bring all the information to you, we contacted Donor Alliance, the federally-designated, non-profit organ procurement organization and an American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited tissue bank serving Colorado and most of Wyoming. As a recognized leader in facilitating the donation and recovery of transplantable organs and tissues, Donor Alliance’s mission is to save lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
When it comes to organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation, it’s important to get the facts, especially when discussing coronavirus and other diseases. Keep reading to learn more about COVID-19 and donation and transplantation.
Exposure to COVID -19 Does Not Prevent Future Donation: Recovered Coronavirus Patients May Be Eligible to be Organ Donors
A person who is through the acute phase of the disease may be eligible for organ donation now and in the future. Just as with other viral diseases, like the flu or Epstein Barr, historical exposure is not a rule out for donation.
Anyone, regardless of age, lifestyle or medical condition, can sign up to be a donor. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hepatitis and cancer can also potentially save and heal lives through donation. Eligibility for organ, eye and tissue donation is medically evaluated at the time of death.
Don’t rule yourself out. If you support organ, eye and tissue donation, we encourage you to sign up to be a donor now and let the medical professionals determine eligibility at that time.
Is Coronavirus a Rule-out for Organ Transplants?
With no existing treatment or 
cure, acute or active COVID-19 is currently a medical rule out for both organ and tissue donation. However, once recovered, donation and transplantation are both possible, as is the case with many other viral illnesses. As with many other illnesses, medical
science is likely to change that over time and even active coronavirus is not expected to be a rule out for donation in coming years, much like the flu.
The decision to utilize donor organs ultimately rests with transplant surgeons who manage complex decisions around patient care.
The Waitlist Can’t Wait: Why Does Organ Donation Matter, and What’s the Urgency?
Donor Alliance’s mission is to save lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. With nearly 2,000 people, including more than 181 Blacks and African Americans in our area waiting for a lifesaving transplant right now, the need for transplantable organs is an ongoing public health crisis.
The waitlist can’t wait; waitlist candidates’ illnesses do not pause, even as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why it so important that more people sign up to be organ, eye and tissue donors.
Continue to Advocate for Organ and Tissue Donation
Even though we have limited in-person activities, you can still help your community and show your support virtually! Visit our Facebook pages @DonateLifeColorado or @DoneVidaColorado to learn how you can join us in educating and inspiring public support of organ, eye and tissue donation or visit our website and sign up as an Advocates for Life Volunteer and complete training virtually.
Living Organ Donation
It is important to note the information above pertains to deceased organ and tissue donation. Living donation is facilitated directly through the transplant centers. Please contact one of the four transplant centers in our area for more information.
Thank you for your support of organ, eye and tissue donation. If you already registered as a donor, please take some time to discuss your decision with your loved ones. If you haven’t signed up yet, we encourage you to do so during this Holiday season and share the Gift of Life. One heroic decision can save and heal lives!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Everyone is at risk of breast cancer – but some of us are at higher risk than others. In Colorado 1 in 7 women are at risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Approximately 240,000 women will be diagnosed in 2020 and over 40,000 will die.
Overall, breast cancer incidence (rate of new cases) is lower among Black women than among Caucasian women. However, breast cancer mortality is higher in Black and African American women. Breast cancer mortality is approximately 40% higher in Black women than in Caucasian women. African American women are often diagnosed at a later stage when treatments are limited, costly and the prognosis is poor. They are often diagnosed at a younger age and with more aggressive breast cancer.
In the past, African American women were less likely than White women to get regular mammograms. Lower screening rates in the past may be a possible reason for the difference in survival rates today.
With all of that information in mind, what can each of us do to take care of ourselves and achieve health equity for African American women?
For breast health/cancer information and materials visit www.komen.org to find facts, warning signs and symptoms, statistics, etc.
For information specifically for the African American community visit https://Knowyourgirls.org.
- Know breast health basics.
- Pay attention to your body and know your “girls”.
- Get your mammogram.
- Be your own advocate.
EARLY DETECTION IS THE KEY TO SURVIVAL.
In the past few years, our local Komen African American Advisory Council impacted the community by participating in health fairs, speaking opportunities, walks and other community events. As a result of the pandemic, we are doing what we can virtually via your newsletters, church bulletins and other media outlets/postings.
Please help us to reach out to the community by posting this article in your community so we can all do our part to lower the mortality rate in the African American community. We appreciate your support.
Thank you
African American Advisory Council
Susan G. Komen
“God is a member of my healthcare team” was a theme throughout focus groups that explored the impact of the church and spirituality on Black Americans with chronic illness. Dr. Shaunna Siler, a nurse researcher at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus partnered with Colorado Black Health Collaborative and five predominately Black churches in the Denver- Metro area. One focus group was conducted at each of the five churches during October and November 2019. A total of fifty Black Americans, age 55 and over, with at least one chronic illness, participated. Family members who cared for someone with a chronic illness were also in attendance. We had great food, good company, and rich conversations.
We found that majority of participants used spirituality to cope with their illness, collaboratively, inviting God to assist with their healthcare decisions and get through difficult times. Practices such as personal prayer, reading the bible, showing gratitude, and
giving to others were mentioned. It was indicated that focusing on gratitude and giving to others through the church community was a distraction from their illness. One member stated, “We’re not dwelling on our illness or disability because we’re helping somebody else.” Participants spoke of giving and receiving support physically, emotionally, and spiritually through their church. For many, spirituality gave a sense of peace and purpose in life. Another reason spirituality or faith in God was so important is that they relied on spirituality to cope with systemic racism for generations as expressed in the following statement, “I think people of color, we had no choice but to have a source, we had to have a source because the way we were treated as people, not equal, you had to have a relationship with God.”
Research shows that spirituality may have a positive effect on mental and physical health. Black Americans are “markedly more religious on a variety of measures than the U.S population as a whole, including level of affiliation with religion, attendance of religious services, frequency of prayer, and religion’s importance in life” (see article). During a time where social distancing is mandated and social injustice is escalating, you may find encouragement in nurturing your spiritual health. An online article written by Alexander Levering Kern, Director of the Center for Spirituality at Northeastern University, provides us with 13 tips for caring for self and others during difficult times (please see below).
Tips for Caring for Self and Others During Difficult Times:
- Breathe. Breathe some more. Take time in your day, at any moment, to take ten deep even breaths. Carve out 5-10 minutes to meditate or practice mindfulness or contemplative prayer. Start here, now, wherever you are.
- Ground yourself in the present moment. Focus your awareness on something real, enduring, or beautiful in your surroundings. Look up often. Discover the wonder and awe that is already here.
- Acknowledge your fears, anxieties, concerns. Offer them up in prayer, if you pray. Write them in your journal. Share them with others. Feel what you feel, honor it, and know that it is not the final word.
- Remember you are not alone. You are surrounded by care and support. Reach out.
- Create and sustain community. Show up for one another. Listen compassionately. Practice empathy. Even while avoiding “close physical contact,” message the people you care about. Stand with those most vulnerable and those who suffer the brunt of prejudice and fear. Check-in on folks. Call your mother, father, guardian, mentor, little sibling, long-lost friend.
- Unplug, judiciously. While staying aware of developments, do not let the Corona-chaos govern you, but forgive yourself when and if it does.
- Practice kindness. There is a temptation in health scares to view others as potential threats. Remember we are in this together. While practicing health guidelines and appropriate caution, remember to engage one another. Smile when you can. Bring good deeds and good energy into our world.
- Stay healthy through sleep, diet, and exercise.
- Make art. Discover, imagine, engage your hopes and fears, the beauty and ugliness of our world. Write, paint, sing, dance, soar.
- Practice gratitude. In the face of crises, make note of the things for which you are grateful: your breath, the particular shade of the sky at dusk—or dawn. The color blue, the color green, the gifts and strengths you have, other people in your life, the ability to laugh. A pet.
- Connect with your spiritual, religious, humanist, cultural, or other communities. Find strength and solace and power in traditions, texts, rituals, practices, holy times, and seasons.
- Pray as you are able, silently, through song, in readings, through ancestors. Remember the long view of history, the rhythms, and cycles of nature, the invisible threads that connect us all.
- Practice hope. Trust in the future and our power to endure and persist, to live fully into the goodness that awaits.
Shaunna Siler, Ph.D., RN, Emma Jackson, MSN, MA, RN, and Tracy Gilford
COVID-19 Impact on An Essential Worker That Keeps Hope Despite Loss ~ Mail Carrier
A Community story with Katina Hill of Centennial, Colorado
Katina Hill is a 47-year old African American female and mother of seven children. She is married, lives in Centennial, Colorado and has four minor children still living at home.
She has been a resident of Colorado for thirty-two years and she agreed to be interviewed by Janelle Johnson and share her story.
Interview
Prior to COVID-19 awareness what did you enjoy about your job? “The freedom of working independently.”
Tell me more? “I work outside on my own. Nobody is looking over my shoulder. I am calling this independence. Additionally, my job is great exercise.”
Do you think the physical activity has influenced your mental health? “Yes. I have more energy.”
How many hours per week did you work since March 2020? “About fifty hours per week.”
Were some months heavier than others? “I noticed packages increased with the stimulus distribution.”
What were your weekly hours prior to March 2020? “Approximately sixty hours per week.”
It appears although working an overtime schedule before and after Covid-19 awareness; your hours have reduced. Tell me more about that? “When companies are on furlough there are less ads in the mail and reduced bulk mail.”
Did this give you a relief with a reduction in weekly hours at work? “Slightly yes. The paper mail decreased, creating less paper to sort through. However, the packages increased.”
Walk me through your day. “I wake up, get dressed, walk the dogs, and head to work. I sort the mail, put it together, and usually deliver my route. At times, I work a couple of hours on someone else’s route and I go home. I do daily overtime.”
What have you learned over the past five months about yourself since COVID-19 stay at home orders and restrictions? “A lot has happened this year. As I get older, I enjoy working independently as a self-starter, and leader. I am ready to create change and continue making a difference in the world for me and my family.”
How has COVID-19 impacted your physical health? “I feel the same physically, and my weight is stable. I have double downed on making sure my immune system is where it should be. I am at risk daily with the different people I encounter, and their handling of the mail.”
How has your family been impacted? “I had four significant death losses due to COVID-19. I had four family members that were infected with COVID-19 and survived.”
What has grief looked like for your family? “I had so many people die in a short period of time. I am almost numb to it.”
Do you feel you are in denial? “I think death is inevitable. I think I am moving to acceptance. There is nothing I can do. I use my spirituality.”
What is your understanding of COVID-19’s racial and ethnic disparities? “It is not the virus itself but our elevated health risks as African Americans. In this country there is a lack of quality food consumed in our communities, and proper implementation of medical treatment of African Americans in the US. We are less likely to go to the doctor.”
Why do you think African Americans do not go to the doctor? “African Americans are not as likely to trust doctors they do not believe understand them. When we are given Western medicine treatment, we still die more often than our white counterparts.”
What are your feelings about COVID-19’s racial and ethnic disparities? “I feel we need to educate our own community first and realize mainstream news, media, and the overall medical field is not designed for Africans.”
Are you staying connected to friends, family, and staying social with people you desire? “Yes. More so online now.”
What are you doing? “Zoom calls.”
How frequent? “Once a week, and texting daily.”
What makes you keep hope that there will be a vaccine, or treatment for COVID-19? “I think it is too soon to expect a vaccine because of the trial period. I like to hear about trials that run for at least two years.”
How has your mental health been impacted by COVID-19? “It is giving me more mental acuity. It has made me more appreciative for the love of my family. Grateful for the ability to provide for them. I have acquired more knowledge and future wealth for my family.”
Tell me more? “I’ve had relatives bury family members due to death by COVID-19 who had no residual income, nor insurance policies.”
How do you manage a healthy lifestyle despite distressing times, and loss? “I cook homemade meals. I eat organic. I have noticed the organic food stores have fewer people and this brings less exposure to the virus.”
What has given you hope during this time of racial disparities, inequities, and community health risks? “The motherland is not reporting the same COVID-19 health disparities, or medical concerns. I use their diet example. Foods that decrease inflammation with ginger, turmeric, garlic, and onion. I garden to stay empowered.”
How have your spiritual beliefs kept you positive during this critical time of stay at home orders with COVID-19? “With my family I check in and stay connected. We respect the individual health needs of family each member. I focus on appreciating what God has given me.”
Thank you for sharing your story as an essential worker and bringing HOPE during the COVID-19 Pandemic!
By Janelle Johnson, MA, LPC, NCC
This story was captured before COVID-19 hit.
World Class Barbers – Tank’s Barbershop | A Journey to Better Health
Introduction
Tank’s barbershop has been around the Denver metro area for over 14 years. Going through his own health journey of losing weight, eating better and being more active, he partnered with Colorado Black Health Collaborative (CBHC) so his customers get the opportunity to know more about their own health too. Many testimonies have emerged from his partnership with CBHC, but today, in this little slice of Minneapolis in Denver, we get to hear Tank’s own testimony.
Our Neighbor: Tank
As I walked into Tank’s barbershop, the first thing I noticed was the instantaneous feeling of being in a genuine space. I was welcomed into this friendly environment as soon as I stepped in through the door. The bright yellow walls were adorned with sports pendants for the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. Hints of purple and gold everywhere. It was a little slice of Minneapolis in the middle of Denver. Some game was playing on TV in the background while Tank, his daughter and his old friend, Calvin Hale, were enjoying a plate of ribs. I came on a quieter day, which was perfect, so I could get to know Tank a little more.
Tank was born in Gary, Indiana, but was raised in Minneapolis. He came to Denver about 20 years ago. Since, he has some family out here and he decided to raise his own here in Denver too. He’s been a barber for over 25 years, graduating from Moler Barber College in Minneapolis, MN. It all started with cutting hair of some of his buddies in the locker room. He noticed he had a talent and all the guys in the neighborhood would tell him to go to school for it. It wasn’t until he was about 21 years old that he thought it was about time. He had one kid and seeing that other barbers were doing well, he knew going to school for this would in turn take care of him.
There have been so many rewarding things for Tank, some of the most he discussed are that people come to him and trust him in their look. He truly enjoys that. He describes it as, “It’s like painting a Picasso, I’m an artist in what I’m doing.” They trust him, and he promises to deliver on their expectations. It completely makes his day when his customers are happy with the results. He’s been running his shop for over 14 years. At one point, there was another shop Tank opened in Aurora, CO, but it became too stressful and he didn’t like micromanaging. Simply put, “It’s hard to duplicate yourself.”
Outside of his shop, Tank enjoys fishing, barbecuing in his yard, spending time with his family and anything sports related (biggest Vikings fan). He has 4 kids (3 girls and 1 boy). One of which was at the shop when we spoke, Ivonne. She’s Tank’s youngest. It’s clear how much of a family man Tank is. I found it hilarious when I saw a sign on his wall listing the “rules to dating his daughter”. This sense of humor and energy transcends throughout the entire shop. After getting to know a bit about Tank’s life, we dove into discussing the importance of our health and his partnership with CBHC.
Tank has partnered with CBHC since the beginning. CBHC’s Barbershop/Salon Program started in February 2012 and he was connected to CBHC through the Denver Health Program. He says that his clients that come down for a cut don’t typically know their blood sugar nor blood pressure levels. There’s even been a few instances where they were told to go to the hospital immediately because their blood pressure levels were that high. This drives Tank because it makes him feel like he’s saving lives in a way. Hosting our program in his shop really works. He loves that he’s able to give back to his community in this way. He feels like being a barber means this is a part of the job– giving back.
“You know starting out when Dr. Connor and crew were coming in, I was weighing over 500lbs.”
Tank has lost over 200 lbs. since getting involved with CBHC. He couldn’t help but think that having CBHC get his clients’ health on track while he was sitting there over 500 lbs. was hypocritical. So that’s when he decided he needed to make some changes. He started going to the gym, working out and eating better. Now being over 200 lbs. less than he was, he thanked CBHC for giving him the tools that allowed him to do so. Looking back at old photos, he says, “it’s like night and day.” We couldn’t be more proud of him.
Tank recognizes that we work in barbershops, beauty salons, churches and more from hours done through volunteering. He shared his deep gratitude for our program and everyone who runs it on their own time and dime. He thinks that our program could benefit more if there was more financial support. By receiving a stipend or something along those lines. He highlighted that CBHC provides education material, clinic recommendations, etc. enough to where his clients are receiving health information without getting too personal but thinks we should consider having more tools for things like HIV tests as an option for people. He understands that might be too personal but thinks it might be a good option to have in case people are even interested in knowing where to go and get tested if it isn’t something we do in barbershop settings.
Tank and his barbershop have such a rich history in our Denver community. He’s built many relationships, which was very clear in just observing his interactions with clients. Even as we were speaking, Calvin Hale, had a few words he wanted share about Tank:
“If I might interject something about this man here, he has helped me so much that sometimes I could cry. Since we first met, he’s been a brother to me. Have you ever had someone that you could depend on, that’s not your family? You understand what I’m saying, this is what he is to me, he’s better to me than my family. I’m not saying this because he’s in front of me, I’m saying it because it’s the truth. He’s helped me so much, and I’d like to think that I’ve helped him once or twice too. But you know he’s been there for me. I come down here and hang out at the barbershop and carry on and you know it’s a comradery between that gentleman right there and myself. We help each other, you know, and what makes it so genuine is that he’s not family, he’s better than that.”
Interviewer: Avery Gholston
Edited by: Reatea Kifletsion
Read below about Staying Covered While Unemployed
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CLICK HERE to Access Connect for Health Colorado Web-site
When people witness a traumatic event there is a change in one’s behavior and/or cognition. For
over 400+ years there has been racial injustice in the United States (U.S.) against Black people. This is discrimination based on one’s race. There is now a call to action as we look at the racism in America and the effects on Black peoples’ Mental Health. Black people may experience long-term effects on mental health that may include post-traumatic stress disorder (and symptoms such as reliving the traumatic events, withdrawal, intrusive memories, flashbacks, mood swings, and feelings of panic).
The duration, and intensity play a role in how impactful the traumatic injustice is. There are small t’s and Large T’s. This means there are small trauma’s which encompass everyday life events. These events are more threatening to one’s self-esteem (EGO) and are usually not life threatening. For example: financial concerns, divorce, conflicts at work, or differences with family members. Whereas Large T’s are life threatening. These events leave people feeling a great deal of helplessness, and faintness. For example: abuse, assault, a major accident, or catastrophic happening. At times, people respond to traumatic events with fear, avoidance, a change in one’s worldview, and severe negative emotions.
The extent to which people are traumatized happens either from environmental factors or genetic inherited ones, and under certain conditions. With racial injustice there is discrimination based on nativism (innate traits), that may also perpetuate empiricism (based off sensory experiences).
There is motivation to tell the vulnerable population the importance of staying emotionally regulated even during difficult times, and when subject to heinous acts against Blacks. When emotions are not regulated there is an increase in impulsivity and spontaneity. We are not talking about the types of automatic thinking that come from repetition like riding a bike (learning, practicing, and repeating). This lack of impulse control can lead to risks such as accidents, self-injury, missing danger signs, blurting out things one may not intend to say, violent behaviors, and destroying property. Or even worse.
Tips for emotional regulation when responding to trauma pertaining to racial injustice (take deep breaths):
- Take a time out – Stop the current action and take a break to think things through.
- Mindfulness – Be self-aware (listen to your internal dialogue) and know your triggers (emotional response to an event or situation) – Having an awareness of physiological reactions and your emotions when in distress will help people be present, and in the moment.
- Learn your physical symptoms when in distress – Taking notice of symptoms like trembling, shaking, sweating, dizziness, twitches, tingling, headaches, breathing, fatigue, or heart palpitations tells you how your body responds to a threat or perceived threat.
- Search for cognitive clarity – When thinking clear people reduce cognitive distortions (thinking errors) and irrational thoughts, which decreases risks.
- Schedule time with your providers (doctors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists) – Process thoughts, emotions, behaviors, physical symptoms (how your body is responding to stress), and for medication management.
- Remember the intended outcome – Don’t get sidetracked by triggers. Remember your goal to create change.
- Staying informed, knowing the law, and your rights – With education you can petition for the change you hope to experience.
By Janelle Johnson, MA, LPC, NCC