"The Gift of Life" & Tennessee Masons...

As some of you know, I`m a Heart-Transplant. I was transplanted on August 17, 1994 at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville Tennessee, Vanderbilt`s 189th. Heart-Transplant. I was given a second chance at life. I have tried to be an Organ/Donor advocate ! I am the Director for the Organ/Donor Awareness program for my fraternity, "The Masons" of Tennessee. We have given away to this point some 12,000 Donor Awareness "Green Ribbon Pins"! It is/was our/my way of paying back for my second chance at life. We adopted a slogan, "Give The Gift of Life, Be an Organ/Tissue Donor, It`s the Masonic Thing to Do" I believe we had and an impact, and helped in this humanitarian and loving endeavor. It is/was and awareness program. We wear our green ribbon along with our square & compass ! Tennessee was the first state to adopt the organ/donor program, masonically speaking, in the United States, however we were not the last. There are now several states doing the same program. The following article, I received today. I will add it in it`s entirety.

Tennessee Donor Service Reports 20% Increase in Organ Donation In 2006 !

Knoxville, TN (Feb.12, 2007) TDS..., The federally designation organ recovery agency for 84 counties in Tennessee, reports 2006 as a breakthrough year for organ donation within the agency`s service area. From January through December 2006, TDS recovered organs from 202 donors, a 20% increase over 2005. Because of those donors and their families, 674 organs were transplanted, an increase of 22% over 2005. Also in 2006 668 people became tissue donors, a a 30% increase over 2005. Donors gave corneas to restore site, and tissues such as heart valves to replace damaged ones, bone and ligament to repair dieseased joints and skin for burn patients. TDS distributed 4,688 types tissue allografts to Tennessee hospitals last year-gifts that will restore quality of life to thousands. In the U.S. , 94,800 people are now on the waiting list for life-saving organ transplants. The latest full year figures confirmed by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation network(OPTN) report that in 2005 , the anatomical gifts from 14,489 living and deceased donors provided organs for 28,110 transplants. However, 6,342 persons died waiting for transplants. Right now in Tennessee, 1887 people are on the waiting list, 1,663 of them waiting kidneys. Ultimately though, lives are saved by generous people who have known their decision to donate, and the courage for grieving families who choose the selfless act of donation for their loved ones, in 2005 and 2006, TDS had consent rates of 57% and 56%, respectively. Consent rates shows the percentage of the time that families, when the deceased loved ones meets medical criteria necessary to be a donor, say yes to donation. In May 06, the General Assembly passed into law the Tennessee Organ and Tissue Donor Registry Act, hailed as one of the most important developements for organ donation in the states history ! The registry will provide a statewide database of Tennesseans who register as organ and tissue donors, either on-line at the registry web-site, or through the drivers license application process at any department of safety licensing station. Other states that have already instituted registries have seen donation rates increase by as much as 60%. Tennessee`s registry is now under construction, and should be available by mid-year. We expect Tennessee`s donor registry to significantly increase the exciting progress in donation rates. For now, TDS encourages every Tennessean to sign the donor card on the back of their drivers license and tell your family about your decision to be and Organ/Tissue Donor !

"The Gift of Life" What a Loving Thing to Do !

Masons - Patriots of America !

110th U.S. Congress (2007-2008)

H. Res. 33: Recognizing the thousands of Freemasons in every State in the Nation and honoring them for their...
HRES 33 IH
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 33
Recognizing the thousands of Freemasons in every State in the Nation and honoring them for their many contributions to the Nation throughout its history.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 5, 2007
Mr. GILLMOR submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
RESOLUTION :

Recognizing the thousands of Freemasons in every State in the Nation and honoring them for their many contributions to the Nation throughout its history.
Whereas Freemasons, whose long lineage extends back to before the Nation's founding, have set an example of high moral standards and charity for all people;
Whereas the Founding Fathers of this great Nation and signers of the Constitution, most of whom were Freemasons, provided a well-rounded basis for developing themselves and others into valuable citizens of the United States;
Whereas members of the Masonic Fraternity, both individually and as an organization, continue to make invaluable charitable contributions of service to the United States;
Whereas the Masonic Fraternity continues to provide for the charitable relief and education of the citizens of the United States;
Whereas the Masonic Fraternity is deserving of formal recognition of their long history of care-giving for the citizenry and their example of high moral standards; and
Whereas Freemasons have always revered and celebrated St. John's Day, June 24th, as dedicated to their patron saints: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the thousands of Freemasons in every State in the Nation and honors them for their many contributions to the Nation throughout its history.

"Saving America"!

Written for Scottish Rite Journal - 2000 > By. Don Jones

Donald V. Jones, 32°, 121 Brandon Road, Martin, Tennessee 38237–5240 donjones@charter.net

Organ/tissue donation is the gift of life and the Masonic thing to do.
Photo: Bro. Don Jones, 32°, Valley of Nashville, Tennessee, a donor heart recipient, proudly displays his organ/tissue donor card. Today, there are more than 66,000 people on a national organ and tissue donor waiting list. Many Masons are meeting this crisis and proudly adding Green Ribbon Organ/Donor Pins to their Square and Compasses lapel pins. Everything is needed, and what greater gift can one give than the "Gift of Life"? Sharing your decision to be an organ donor with your family is as important as making the decision itself. At the time of your passing, your family will be asked about donation. Their understanding and appreciating your wishes will prevent confusion or uncertainty. Carrying out your wishes to save the lives of others can provide your family with great comfort in their time of grief. Organ/tissue donation is an ultimate act of charity, and a national system ensures the fair distribution of organs in the United States. Organ recipients are identified based upon many factors such as blood type, length of time on the waiting list, severity of illness, and other medical criteria. Factors such as race, gender, age, income, or celebrity status are not considered when determining who receives an organ. You ask, "How can I or my Lodge help?" Simply have it noted on your driver's license that you are an organ donor, and ask your friends, family, and Masonic Brothers to do the same. If your Lodge or Appendant Bodies want to get involved on a larger scale, please contact the Tennessee Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, PO Box 24216, Nashville, Tennessee 37202. Organ donation is part of the Volunteer State's Vision 2013> http://www.gmwp.org/vision2013/oda < Program dedicated to statewide Masonic renewal and the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee in that year. Also, invite an organ donor awareness speaker to visit your Lodge or Appendant Body. As a Past Master of Dresden Lodge No. 90, Dresden, Tennessee, the Home Lodge of Davy Crockett, I am proud to say my Lodge is the catalyst for the organ/tissue donor part of the Tennessee Vision 2013 Program. I guess you could say that I've put my heart into this enlightenment program. On August 17, 1994, after waiting two years and 17 days for a heart, my prayers were answered. I received a 20-year-old heart at Vanderbilt University Hospital, their 189th transplant operation. And I, too, am an organ donor, as are my wife and two sons. Yes, my heart can be used again. Isn't that great! I was elected to the position of Worshipful Master of my Lodge for the first time in 1978. I was again elected in 1997, three years after I received my new heart. This would not have happened without the charitable act of an organ donor. Neither would I have been able to have raised my son to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on May 1, 1997. These are just a couple of things I have been privileged to do because of an organ donor! I now spend all of my time working on donor awareness. "Give the Gift of Life. Be an Organ/Tissue Donor. It's the Masonic thing to Do." The only cost is a little love! Don Jones is the Chairman of Organ Donor Awareness for the Vision 2013 Program, Grand Lodge of Tennessee.

Raised a Master Mason in Signet Lodge No. 555, Detroit, Mich., in 1962, Brother Jones became a Master of the Royal Secret in the year 2000 Spring Reunion of the Valley of Nashville, Tenn. He is also a member of Rob Reavis Chapter No. 71, OES, Martin, Tenn.; Royal Arch Masons Chapter No. 132; Council No. 122, Commandery No. 29, York Rite Bodies in Union City, Tenn.; and Al-Chymia Shrine Temple, Memphis, Tenn. He was appointed District No. 3 Chairman, Lake, Obion, and Weakley Counties, at Grand Lodge in 1999 and received the John B. Arp Award the same year.