Organ donation gives woman life, hope Published April 21, 2004 By Senior Airman Susan Stout 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- The gift of life through organ donations took on a new meaning five years ago for a senior noncommissioned officer here.Master Sgt. Jan Cutrona, a 56th Fighter Wing information manager, was prepared for the worst after her sister’s heart was attacked by a virus in February 1999.Sergeant Cutrona’s sister, Jeri Newnam, lost 80 percent of her heart’s blood-pumping capability and waited on an organ transplant list for five years before receiving a new heart in early 2004.“I expected to bury my sister in January, but because someone donated organs, she has a future again,” Sergeant Cutrona said.At age 45, Ms. Newnam said she has now been given a new lease on life thanks to an organ donor.“I’m very grateful for the wonderful gift that was given to me by the donor family,” Ms. Newnam said. “(The transplant) has already greatly improved my quality of life. I have so much more energy than before, and I now have a life ahead of me.”More than 83,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ transplant, according to Donor Network of Arizona officials.People can select to donate any or all of the following: heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, eyes, bone and connective tissue, skin grafts and veins. Donors can also elect to have their organs used for transplantation or the advancement of medical science and education through research.There are a number of Web sites with information on donor programs, and requirements for registering to be an organ donor vary by state. A comprehensive Web site on organ donation procedures is maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and can be found at www.organdonor.gov/. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)