Welcome, everyone, to Midday Magazine for this April 2nd, 2024.
Have your host, James Jamail, off here.
At 3.30, we're in a welcome in, backster, aren't, and Stephanie Lund from the South
of County YMCA, thanks to Tri-City Services, looking forward to talking with them.
Right now, we've been looking forward to, for a while, talking with Terry Hummus, our
good friend from Central Wisconsin Gift of Life.
Terry, good to see you.
Yeah, great.
Thank you for having me back.
It's been a while.
We appreciate you joining us.
We get to talk usually when this event comes around, the scavenger hunt with Gift of
Life, and I'm looking forward to diving into that with you and the details of it, Terry.
But if you don't mind, I'd like to take this opportunity to talk a little bit about what
Central Wisconsin Gift of Life is.
Okay, so Central Wisconsin Gift of Life is a group that consists of organ and tissue recipients,
living organs, or organ and tissue donor families, who simply want our passionate about
getting the word out.
The group was organized by Dr. Jill Dillon, who donated her kidney to Sarasolensky.
She has quite the backstory to that whole process, and then Saras, cousin Kathy, got involved
and they say, hey, we need to get the word out.
Because a lot of things have changed even recently, that happened a few years ago.
A lot of things have changed even recently about, you may need a organ.
I may want to give you an organ.
It may not be a match, but there may be a person on another hospital that needs our
soul.
There's like an organ swap situation, the whole process of tissue donation, everything.
It just really is getting really being involved.
Yeah, with the science getting better and better every day, we're able to do a lot
more with this than we realized, I would say even 10 years ago, it's grown and changed
so much.
Oh, definitely.
It is.
I had a personal situation 21 years ago, and it involved tissue and eye donation, and
even at that time, it's like, what tissue donation, what is that used for?
It's used with victims who are involved in fires.
They'll take a deceased person's skin and use it for grafting.
I don't think people realize all the different parts of your body that can be recycled, as
we can say.
Yeah, that's a great way to do that.
That's actually the theme of our scavenger hunt is recycle yourself.
Oh, well, I like that.
That's good.
Very creative.
I like that.
I want to get more into that with you in a second.
I encourage people to learn more about donation and more about some of the things that Terry
is touching on there with the changes to that.
I think that it's been, it's one of those things that I think a lot of people, the first
time they think about it, if they, one of the first times they think about it is maybe
it's with their driver's license, and whether they want to be an organ donor or not putting
on their driver's license, this is something that you could be thinking about a long time
before that and way after you get your license.
And something almost every one of us is capable of being able to do.
Oh, definitely.
So when you talk about things 10 years ago, you know, they'd say, yeah, put the dot on
your driver's license, you're good to go.
Sometimes you may not have your driver's license with you.
So if you've registered, you know, 10 years or more ago, please go to the DMV to check
to see if you actually are registered.
I actually, obviously, 21 years ago said, yep, I'm going to do this.
And back, no, I was not technically in their database because I've done it so long.
Fortunately, in the situation that I was involved in, the individual had his license with
him.
They could see, yes, he registered it as a donor.
We could say, yes, we are honoring his wishes, you know, so it's always very important to
let your family members know that you want to be a donor, but definitely check to make
sure you are a registered donor.
Another thing is drivers' ed classes now require, in the state of Wisconsin, why require
that they have 30 minutes of class time donated just to talking about organ donation.
And this was a lobbied by a parent of an individual who died young and just wanted to make
sure that even, you know, unfortunate accidents happen to young people that they are well aware
that this is something they can be doing.
Yeah, life is precious.
And we have the opportunity to help others with life, with our life.
And I can't think of many more beautiful things in this world.
It's a really, it's a gift that we have for each other.
Oh, definitely.
The scavenger hunt, Terry, is one of our favorite events.
We love this event.
I think it's such a creative, fun idea.
And you've topped yourself because you've even come up with a better one than last year.
I like this.
This is a good idea.
I love where you're going with this.
I love the details of the theme of the event this year.
So this year, the hunt will be on April 13th.
The deadline was March 30th.
I'm sure of teams are still interested.
We can sneak you in.
We won't guarantee you one of these fabulous shirts, you know, every year they try to come
up with a creative new shirt.
And this year, like I mentioned, is recycled yourself.
So it's got the recycling system symbol and everything.
And the reason we always do this in April is because it is National Donor Life Month.
To raise the awareness that much more.
There's four to six people on a team.
You almost fit in one vehicle.
OK.
Oh, yeah, yeah, that's OK.
I remember that.
Yes, yes.
So you almost fit in one vehicle.
And you have four hours to complete a list of tasks.
It's either doing something, taking pictures of it, recordings, gathering things.
It's just a lot of fun.
And you think four hours is a long time.
It flies by rather quickly.
Terry, have you done this before?
Have you done the scavenger hunt?
I have done it probably nine of the 10 times.
So this is actually the 10th year.
Awesome.
I'll congrats on that.
That's no word.
And we've actually had a couple teams that have done it every single year.
It's been offered.
I got involved a couple years later.
So this year, we so far have 40 teams registered.
We have 25 sponsors.
And we're always looking for more sponsors or donations for Raffles.
So if anybody's interested, you can contact myself, contact gift to life.
We have a web page.
We have a Facebook page.
Web page is central Wisconsin gift to life spelled out dot org.
And you can search us up on Facebook.
And that will give you a lead to where, if you're interested in making a donation, how
to get it to us.
But if somebody hasn't gotten the chance to do this before, but maybe they haven't even
done scavenger hunt before, I'm thinking about this with younger kids.
I don't know how much they do these things and stuff anymore.
So what should they know going into this?
Is there any prep they should have or anything?
You did mention the vehicle.
So that is something to keep in mind.
A good night's sleep.
That's a good night's sleep.
Yes, that's a good.
Yes.
Yes, definitely.
And a hearty breakfast.
Yes, both good notes, both good ideas.
Because you, like I mentioned, you think four hours is a long time and you'll, and
but it is quite a extensive list of activities.
There are various points that are assigned to the activities.
It could be from doing the chicken dance in front of KFC, to finding a four leaf clover,
finding a painted rock, or talking to someone about organ donation, you know, popping gas
for them, giving them a card or saying, asking them, are you an organ donor and how would
you like to learn more about it?
So there's a lot of activities.
It isn't just geared at adults, there's families, whole families that do it.
Like you say, it's just a well-rounded group of people to get out there and enjoy the
day.
And hopefully, Mother Nature will get winter out of her system here so we can have a bright
sunny day.
But we've done it in the snow, we've done it in the rain, unless there's something horrific
that happens.
It will still be going on.
And we like to give a big shout out to the ridges who for the last couple years have
donated their facility to us for the day because we've tried it as the contest grown.
We've kind of outgrown ourselves out of places and they have given us their whole facility.
So hopefully we can stay there for a while and not outgrow them either because I don't
know where else we would go.
Right, right.
Big shout out to the ridges.
You hear us mention them with all kinds of nonprofits and they do such good work over
there, opening their doors for so many nonprofits, so many different businesses, big thank you
to them.
Yes, exactly.
One thing we would also like to mention is that today, Central Wisconsin's gift of light
is donated over 120,000 to the University of Wisconsin, Oregon and tissue donation.
And the Restore Hope Transplat House, which is located in Milton.
And if you don't know what that is, it's a home away from home for transplant patients
and their families, why they're waiting to receive care.
They're in the midst of it's all nonprofit and they are in the midst of putting on a big
addition.
So money coming their way is very helpful.
And I've been told, I have never been there myself.
I'd like to get down there sometimes soon, but I have been told that it is quite the
place to visit.
Yeah, I've heard similar things and a big thank you to them and the work that they do
over there.
We're speaking with Terry Humbas from Central Wisconsin gift of life about their scavenger
hunting.
Terry mentioned that teams can still sign up for this.
When it comes to those teams and people that are listening to this, Terry touched on this
a little bit, but I really want to hit home on this.
This is for everybody.
Me and a couple of my friends have talked about doing this before and I believe a couple
of years back did it.
I know that there's families like I think I have a neighbor just a couple of floors down
to him and his little, his girls do with this.
There's lots of different or groups that can do, be a part of this and there's really
no combination that can't work.
Just got to fit in one vehicle.
Exactly.
Exactly.
And you had a great point of back so they know we were joking around a little bit but
I get the good, getting the good breakfast in before this is a really good idea because
when the event is it going on as soon as that clock ticks, that's all you're going
to be thinking about.
You're going to probably forget to eat.
You're probably going to forget to do those kind of things.
So it's a good idea to get that in beforehand.
So normally they take a group picture and then it's like, okay, go and it is just kind
of, you know, they're used strategically park so you can get out of the parking lot first.
Some teams will sit back and kind of strategize.
Some people will just go.
I'm one of those teams that just go or get into the car and we're going to get going
and we're, you know, reading the list and finding the things we can find first and like
I say, it is just a fun, fun, filled day.
It's exhausting by the time you're done.
But it's a good exhaustion.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it's for an amazingly good cause.
All of this is for such an important and great cause.
Kind of when it comes to the thing, Terry, when it comes to the things on your list here,
is that something that you and the organization come up with?
Is that not you?
But I mean, there's people in the organization come up with it.
There are two people who are privy to the list.
Nice.
That would be Jill and Sarah.
They come up with the list every year, like I say, it is quite an extensive list where
they get their ideas sometimes I don't know, but they're very creative.
I will say that.
They are very creative.
And does this, does this cost anything?
Is there any charge for this?
Well, it is $25 per person, topping out at $250 for your team.
So like I say, you could have four to six people on your team as long as you all fit in
the car.
So if you have a big minivan, you can get all six of you in there and you're kind of coming
ahead on the cost.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It is, like I say, just a fun, filled day.
And every penny of that, you know, you know that you're doing something good with.
You know, you know that that 25, whatever you're spending is going towards an amazing nonprofit
and amazing organization that you yourself may need one day or you or a loved one may need
one day.
And that's the, I guess the fortunate or unfortunate thing is that you do not know when the situation
may arise.
You do not know if you're going to, if a family member will eventually become a donor.
So it's always good to be prepared in those aspects.
And to always kind of have that in the back of your head that I feel fine today, tomorrow
might be a different story.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You just, it's part of the reason why we encourage people to pay forward while we encourage
people to be a part of events like this and do things like this.
Yes, it's, it's just good to do.
It's just good.
It feels good to put back in your community.
It feels good to be a part of things like this.
There's also that part of it too that you just never know when you might need these
services.
So talking about needing the services and this was just, I just saw this this morning.
UW, organ and tissue transplant just had their 20th or 20,000th organ recipient and this
individual is from Wisconsin Rapids.
So we're not, you know, we're located here.
A lot of the money goes back into the community here.
We help anybody who's, who has questions looking for answers or anyway, try to help them
and like say, it sounds like all their money is going to Madison.
Well, that's where I think there's only one or two areas you can go for this.
That's where we've chosen to send our money, keep it in the state.
Yes.
That's where 90% of your majority of your state people will be going is to Madison.
Yeah.
It's not a, you guys did your homework on this.
You can tell and it's really important and appreciated.
I also saw that article too and I thought that was pretty cool and especially on today
to have you win and to see that.
That's pretty cool.
And a big thank you to them and the work that they're doing over there.
So Terry, did you have anything else you want to touch?
So one other thing is only two to three percent of people who are involved in death, accident,
so organs can be taken.
But you know, I just want to stress, tissue is a different situation and that was my personal
experience with tissue and like say 20, 24 years ago and this happened.
You're like, what?
You can still, there's, there's a way you can help, but it was fantastic that we were
able to do that.
What I do think I want to Wisconsin is very high per capita for organ donation or registering
to be an organ donor at 60 plus percent where most states are only at 20 to 25 percent.
Wow.
Yeah, that is a difference.
So, you know, we're, obviously the word is getting out, obviously people are realizing
how important it is and we just want to say, you know, keep it up.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
I'd want to make sure, cover anything you wanted, if there was anything else you wanted
to touch on.
So also, and this is the only one that's been known in the state is we do have a legacy
garden.
So we currently have over 60 soles in our legacy garden.
The garden is located in Legion Park along the River on First Street North.
It's a labor of love for the family and friends of coach Chris Stensberg who was one of
the founding members of the organization.
He was a coach at Nacusa.
His players at the time thought, we want to do something and this was an idea that came
up.
They raised over $6,000 and that helped get the garden going.
And his wife Wanda continues to look over the garden, make sure everything's, you know,
looking good.
It is a neat place to go and experience and see it's, it's very well laid out.
And you can, you can really, I guess, feel the love there.
Absolutely.
I was going to say it, you took the words right out of my mouth, you go over there and
you feel alive, you feel that energy, yes.
Another thing we have going on as a fundraiser will be Monday, July 8th.
It's going to be Central Wisconsin gift of life at the ballpark.
It's not to really start thinking about that.
And they will be playing the wash of wood checks.
The game starts at 6.35.
There will be information about the organization, about organization, we giveaways, a 50-50
raffle.
And that's always a big exciting thing for us.
And the tickets that you buy, a portion of that will come back to the group, you know,
include it in your ticket is, you know, food, a hat and your ticket.
So you can't lose.
The home of the Wisconsin rapids rafters, we play every pitch, every win, every game
of theirs, I have ever since they got into town.
And we love that organization, but as much as we love winning, we love hearing the
games, we love baseball.
This is what we love about the rafters the most is how they put back into their community
with events like this.
We'll be talking about that as we lit up to this one and then lead up to the season.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to the season.
And I love your jersey you have in you.
It's really cool.
That was nice of them.
They just gave us that.
I said that when it comes to the details of the event, let's go over that one more time
if you don't mind.
Okay.
So the event is August 13th, or I'm sorry, April 13th, I'm already I know I hear you
the summer.
So I'll be April 13th.
If you want to get a team involved, get on the website right away and get your entry
in because it has March 30th was the deadline, but we will let a few few of you sneak
in.
There's no, I guess, guarantee that you'll get a shirt, but we will work our harders
to get get you that four to six people on a team.
You'll almost fit in one vehicle and we're ready for a day of fun.
Yeah.
And you can find out more by going to Central Wisconsin Gift of Life.org.
That's all one run on sends.
Central Wisconsin Gift of Life.org or you can find out there more on their Facebook
page as well encourage you to type in your search bar.
Central Wisconsin Gift of Life and like their page, keep up the date on the great work
that they're doing over there because while this is a once a year event, all year long,
the Central Wisconsin Gift of Life is doing incredible work in our state.
And as the data that Terry was telling us earlier, that it's very impactful in this state
in particular.
So be a proud Wisconsinite.
Get out there, find out more about this great organization and spread the word about
it.
Terry, thank you again for the time.
Well, thank you James for letting us come in and speak to you about this.
We'll talk again real soon.
Yes.
One more midday magazine for you coming up right here on 97 5 FM 13 20 AM WF HR locally
grown radio.