Tag Archives: anniversary

One patient’s story demonstrates the impact of Trinity Health Kidney Center

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Kent County, Our Cities, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Nathan Hannum (standing) with his donor, Kyle Hess. (Courtesy, Trinity Health)

Some years ago, Nathan Hannum received the diagnosis that he had IgA nephropathy, also sometimes called Berger’s disease, that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in the kidney resulting in inflammation that can hamper the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from your blood.

It was a slow decline of kidney function, taking about 18 years for Hannum to drop to about 80% function and then in 2020, the decline started to take a steep dive, with him losing about 20% of functionality.

“So it was a pretty steep deal, but at the end of the year I was in a better position than a lot of other patients in that even though my function had gone down so far, I didn’t have to have dialysis,” he said.

When Hannum and his family moved to Grand Rapids about 15 years ago, he discovered there was only one renal kidney doctor’s office in Grand Rapids at that time, which was associated with the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center.

“I had been told I would probably want to get it done there just because it’s close to home,” Hannum said. “There are other options. We could have gone to the University of Michigan or Detroit or Chicago, but the ability to have the facility close to home was a big part of the decision.”

Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center marks its 50th anniversary this year. (Courtesy, Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center)

Marking a golden anniversary

The Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center in Grand Rapids marks its 50th anniversary this year. There are six such centers in the state of Michigan with Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center (formerly theMercy Health Saint Mary’s Kidney Transplant Center) being the only adult kidney transplant center on the west side of the state.

Since its opening in 1973, more than 2,800 kidney transplants have occurred, improving the lives not only of the patients but of their loved ones and caregivers.

“Our team takes great pride in reaching this 50-year milestone,” said Jill McNamara, MSN RN, Transplant services liaison for the Kidney Transplant Center. “One of the ways we are celebrating is to reflect on the patient stories that show our team just how many people have been touched by their care.”

Hannum admits he was one of those patients who benefitted from that expert care.

“You know sometimes you go in for procedures and they just start working on it and don’t really tell you what is going on. They might ask you what your name is to make sure they’re working on the right person,” Hannum said. “(The Trinity) nurses were fantastic at explaining ahead of time what was going to happen and why they were poking me for this and why they were asking me about that and the doctors were the same way.”

Hannum’s story

Hannum’s process started a couple of years before his surgery with doctors encouraging him to start compiling a list of potential donors. Having been a pastor for the past 25 years, Hannum, who is currently serving at Jenison Christian Church, has a network of contacts.

Left, Nathan Hannum with his donor, Kyle Hess. (Courtesy, Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center)

In 2022, the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center became the only adult transplant center in Michigan to partner with the National Kidney Register (NKR), the largest paired donation program in the world. The NKR has the largest living donor pool, making the likelihood of finding a match potentially faster than other paired programs.

“I sent a big ask to my friends and family and said if you are still interested, here’s the number to call and I was fortunate that a lot of them did,” Hannum said. “There were at least two matches and I think there were probably more than that for me.”

Once a donor was found, the next step was a series of tests, blood and others, to assure there were no underlying issues. It was through those tests, Hannum learned he had prostate cancer. While appreciative that it was discovered, especially since Hannum had no cancer symptoms, the diagnosis was a setback for Hannum, but only a couple months.

Finally cleared for the transplant surgery, Hannum said the next biggest hurdle was scheduling. The surgery took place in December of 2021.

Utilizing technological innovations

Robotic live donor nephrectomy has created even more opportunities for live kidney donation. (Courtesy, Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center)

For patients like Hannum, Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center offer one of the latest technological innovations, robotic live donor nephrectomy. This process has created even more opportunities for live kidney donation. A live kidney donation is when a kidney is removed from one healthy patient and donated to a patient who has renal/kidney failure. Previously, these nephrectomies were performed laparoscopically, using small incisions, with the surgeon using his hands during the procedure.

“With a robotic procedure, we still make incisions into the abdomen, but instead of using two hands, a surgeon has four robotic arms available at one time to also control the instruments and camera,” said Joel Stracke, DO, surgical director of the Kidney Transplant Center. “The nice thing about this approach is that we are able to make the large incision needed to remove the kidney much lower on the patient’s abdomen – under the pant line.”

The robot not only offers remarkable precision during surgery, but studies have shown that following a robotic donor nephrectomy, patients experience less pain and less need for narcotics.

Feeling like your 15 years younger

Every person responds differently to their transplant, Hannum said, adding that in his case, aftercare was mostly routine.

“The moment I woke up from my surgery, I felt better and my wife even told me even before I said anything. She said ‘Your eyes are brighter, and your skin color is different and it’s just amazing,’” he said. “ I can’t describe what it was like to be out of the ‘kidney fog’ just when you wake up.”

While there have been bumps along the way, a year later, Hannum said he feels 100% better, adding that he has felt 15 years younger this past year, “which is pretty fantastic.”

“Our main priority is to provide our patients with individualized, compassionate and expert care,” McNamara said. “Over the last 50 years, our program has become one of the largest and most successful community hospital-based transplant programs in the country. As we look forward to the next 50 years and beyond, we will continue to focus on our patients and their families, offering advanced surgical techniques and innovative donor options that offer more hope to our patients.”

The Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center currently has six surgeons and five nephrologists. In 2022, it completed 102 transplant surgeries: 37 living donor recipients and 65 deceased donor recipients. There are approximately 300 patients at the center currently on the waiting list, 155 which were added last year.

To learn more about the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center or how to become a living kidney donor, visit www.TrinityHealthMichigan.org/Transplant

Iron Fish Distillery celebrates its fourth anniversary

Entertainment,

By Adrienne Brown-Reasner
West Michigan Tourist Association


Join Iron Fish Distillery Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4 -6, 1-9 p.m., to celebrate their four-year journey as Michigan’s first Farm Distillery.

The weekend is packed full of live music, a special spirit release, barrel making demonstration, and safe social distancing following the Michigan Restaurant Promise.



*Limited seating. No reservations. First come, first serve. No parties more than 10 people.

The weekend celebrations include:



Friday, Sept. 4
1-7 p.m. Croze Nest Barrel Building Workshop
6:30 – 8:30 p.m Live Music with Blake Elliot

Saturday, Sept. 5
1 p.m. Rye Finished in Rum Cask Spirit Release.
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Live music with Luke Winslow-King

Sunday, Sept. 6
1-9 p.m. Cocktails and wood-fired cuisine.
6-8 p.m. Live music with the Bootstrap Boys

Wyoming police mark 60 years by honoring two of its own

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,
Former Wyoming lieutenant Dan Bigalow (seated with ball cap) looks over the certificate he received with family and friends. Bigalow was honored during a special 60th anniversary celebration for the city’s police department which started in 1959. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

For Dan Bigelow it all started when he came back from the Korean War in 1953.

“My brother-in-law stopped by the house and said he had put in an application to the Wyoming Police Department,” Bigelow said. “I thought if he could do it, so could I. So I put an application as well.

“I got hired and he didn’t and I have to say, it was not a bad decision.”

Bigelow along with Bill Catlin were honored during a special program celebrating the Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s 60th Anniversary. They each received a certificate and retired officer badge.

“I think you cannot build upon the future and look forward if you don’t know you history, where the community came from, what was the culture, what changes were made,” said Chief Kim Koster about the importance of celebrating those who have served the department.

Wyoming Township became the City of Wyoming Jan. 1, 1959, with the Wyoming Township Police Department becoming the City of Wyoming Police Department. Years later, the city’s fire and police departments merged to create the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.

Retired detective Bill Catlin (seated with Veterans hat) visits with friends and family. Ctalin also was honored during the 60th anniversary celebration. (WKTV)

Bigelow joined the Wyoming Township Police Department in 1955 and Catlin joined in 1956. They were among the 17 township officers who were part of the city’s first police force. Both followed the department through its many transitions, each serving the department for 33 years. Bigelow retired as a lieutenant in 1988 and Catlin as a detective in 1989.

In attendance at the event were several retires spanning the 60 years of the department, including former Chief Edward Edwardson, who along with others shared stories about the department. Capt. Kip Snyder talked about the history of the department. The department now has 86 sworn officers. About 45 are on road patrol with another 11 serving as detectives.

The department also has a forensic science department and a canine unit that includes four dogs, who Snyder admitted were often more popular than the officers. Koster said the department will be adding four new motorcycles this year, another item that is often popular with the public.

Bruce Fogerty, with his wife Doreen, has been retired from the department for 26 years. (WKTV)

“I really enjoyed the work,” said Bruce Fogerty, who has been retired from the department for 26 years. “This was a great way for us to get together and see people we haven’t seen in awhile.”

Also as part of the 60th anniversary for the police department, Senator Peter MacGregor and Rep. Tommy Brann presented the department with a proclamation from Brann, MacGregor, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the City Council regular meeting on Monday, May 6.

Crane’s Winery celebrates four years of cider and win success with CiderFest 2018

Entertainment, , , ,

On Saturday, Sept. 8, Crane’s will sit back, fill a glass of delicious hard apple cider, and celebrate its fourth year as a family owned winery. This year’s party will take place in the Walnut Grove at Crane Orchard’s just down the hill from the restaurant, bakery, and winery at 6054 124th Ave., in Fennville.

 

CiderFest is a day full of live music, cider and wine tasting, delicious food, and great friends, as everyone is invited to join the Crane family to raise a toast. The event will last from noon – 6 p.m. and will consist of two live bands, games, giveaways, pie-eating contests, and much more! Michael Hulett will take the stage first from noon until 3 p.m. and the rock group Pretty Rage will follow up from 3 until 6 p.m. Your ticket will include a commemorative CiderFest pub glass, six tasting tickets that can be used for wine, cider, or different food options offered at the event. Your name will also automatically be entered to win some amazing Crane’s goodie baskets.

 

Tickets are $15 for pre-orders and $20 at the gate. You can get yours by calling 269-561-2297 or by visiting Eventbrite.com and searching Crane’s CiderFest 2018. What better way to kick off apple season than to come out to the farm in Fennville, pick some apples, eat some pie, and grab a glass of the tastiest cider West Michigan has to offer!

West Michigan Tourist Association marks 100 years of promoting West Michigan

Travel, , , , , ,

Hugh J. Gray was appointed secretary/manager of WMTA upon its formation, and is honored with a stone cairn constructed of one stone from every county in Michigan to commemorate Gray as the “Dean of Michigan’s Tourist Activity.”

By Jeremy Witt

West Michigan Tourist Association

 

On May 7, 1917, delegates from across Michigan gathered in the Pantlind Hotel in Grand Rapids (today part of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel), to work together to form the Michigan Tourist and Resort Association (today known as the West Michigan Tourist Association). Hugh J. Gray was appointed secretary/manager of WMTA upon its formation, and is honored with a stone cairn constructed of one stone from every county in Michigan to commemorate Gray as the “Dean of Michigan’s Tourist Activity.” This was the first grass roots tourist organization in the country, and was formed with the goal of promoting the attractions of West Michigan, and to encourage travelers to visit the region.

 

A hundred years later, the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) continues to work towards that same goal with a special tribute from Michigan’s Governor on the occasion of WMTA’s anniversary. With more than 850 member properties throughout the area, WMTA has come to be recognized as the leading source of travel information for the West Michigan area. WMTA makes a wide variety of travel information available free of charge, including an annual West Michigan Travel Guide, a Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map, a monthly e-newsletter, and more.

 

WMTA is celebrating their centennial throughout 2017 with additional travel promotions and ways for the public to become involved:

 

  • Request a free copy of the West Michigan Travel Guide by mail (or view it online) to travel through the past 100 years in West Michigan, as well as the best of present day.
  • Follow along on the West Michigan social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram) for Throwback Thursday (#TBT) posts each week to explore visuals from the last 100 years in West Michigan.
  • Participate in the West Michigan 100th Anniversary Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a copy of WMTA’s commemorative photo book and the grand prize from Boyne Mountain Resort.

 

Since 1917, the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) has worked to market the very best of West Michigan to travelers from around the world. As WMTA celebrates 100 years in 2017, that commitment continues.

 

WMTA’s membership base consists of more than 800 attractions, lodging, events, and activities all across the west side of Michigan, from the Indiana border all the way into the Upper Peninsula. Over the past century, Michigan’s tourism industry has become second to only manufacturing in Michigan, making WMTA a vital resource for the area’s tourist destinations.

 

Today, WMTA continues its mission as a self-sustaining, membership-funded non-profit. For more information, please visit WMTA.org.

 

Roger That!: Local astronaut remembered for contributions to the space program

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , , , , ,

Astronauts (left to right) Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, pose in front of Launch Complex 34 which is housing their Saturn 1 launch vehicle. The astronauts died ten days later in a fire on the launch pad. (NASA/photographer unknown – NASA [1] Great Images in NASA Description, Public Domain)
By Joanne N. Bailey-Borosma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Whether you have traveled the road, visited the planetarium, or seen the American legion post in your travels through Wyoming, there is a good chance you have seen or heard the name Roger B. Chaffee.

 

And for some the question during those travels may have been who was Roger B. Chaffee?

 

Chaffee was one of the first NASA astronauts, who tragically never made it to the stars. On Jan. 27, 1967, there was a fire in the Apollo 1 capsule during a training exercise killing Chaffee and his two crew mates, Virgil “Gus” Grisson and Edward H. White II, who was the first person to perform a space walk.

 

The inside of the Apollo 1 capsule after the fire. (NASA/photographer unknown – NASA [1] Great Images in NASA Description, Public Domain)
This Friday, fifty years to the date of the accident, the Wyoming Roger B. Chaffee American Legion Post 154 will host a dinner and memorial ceremony at the post, 2327 Byron Center Ave. SW. The dinner is at 6 p.m. and the ceremony is at 7 pm.

 

“From what I know, his father was a member of the post and they asked if they would name it after him,” said Jerry Smith, an adjunct with the post. American Legion posts have a tradition of bringing named after a local veteran.

 

Chaffee was a Navy officer before being accepted to the NASA program, said Glen Swanson, a Grand Valley State University physics professor who worked for NASA in Houston as the Johnson Space Center’s chief historian. Swanson credits some of his love for space from Chaffee’s parents, Donald and Blanche Chaffee. In their later years, the couple had moved to the city of Wyoming and Swanson would bike over to visit them and talk about NASA and the space program.

 

A photo of Don and Blanche Chaffee with their daughter after the Apollo 1 accident. The photo is in the ‘Roger That!’ exhibit.

“Don and Blanche were huge supporters of the space program even after their son’s death,” Swanson said, adding the couple would visit area schools to talk about NASA and space and Don Chaffee even wrote a book.

 

The Chaffee family was from Greenville. Due to Don Chaffee having scarlet fever, Blanche Chaffee was forced to stay with relatives in Grand Rapids until Roger was born. The family later moved to Grand Rapids and Roger attended Central High School.

 

After graduation, Chaffee would attend Purdue to pursue his passion of flying and earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering. He joined the Navy and in 1962 applied for the astronaut training program. He wold be one of 14 out of a pool of more than 1,800 to be chosen for the Astronaut Group 3, all of who would be part of the Apollo program.

 

In January 1966, Chaffee was selected for the first Apollo mission, which was a surprise, Swanson said, adding that Chaffee had no previous flight experience unlike his crew mates Grissom and White. None would make it into space as the following year, the fire happened.

 

The accident also happened shortly after the move of the then Kent County Airport, which was located in Wyoming, formerly Paris Township. The landing strip was being paved and it was decided to name the road Roger B. Chaffee Boulevard.

 

“There was the local connection and since it was the former runway, it probably made sense,” Swanson said, adding that there was some debate on naming the airport after Chaffee but eventually it would be named after the former president and is now called the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

 

The ‘Roger That!’ exhibit will be up through Mar. 31 at the GVSU Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids.

Wanting to remember Chaffee’s contributions to the space program, Swanson help put together a photo exhibit, “Roger That!,” on the West Wall Gallery at the GVSU Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

“We didn’t want to focus just on the tragedy of what happened, but rather on his life and accomplishments,” Swanson said. The exhibit will be up through Mar. 31.

 

There was plans to host an event on the actual anniversary, but since family members were booked for the NASA event this week in Florida, GVSU officials instead worked with the Grand Rapids Public Museum to plan a two-day conference and celebration in February, which was Chaffee’s birth month. On Feb. 10, there will be a conference featuring discussions on a variety of space-related topics including science, society, and the arts. The event concludes with a ticketed dinner with Chaffee’s wife and daughter, Martha and Sheryl Chaffee, and the planetarium show “Dark Side: The Light Show.”

 

On Feb. 11, Brother Guy Consolmagno of the Vatican Observatory and winner of the Carl Sagan Medal for excellence in public communication in planetary sciences will present at 11 a.m. at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. This is a ticketed event. For more on the Roger That! activities, visit www.gvsu.edu/rogerthat.

 

Swanson said he hopes the activities will not only remind people of who Chaffee was, but encourage others to follow in his footsteps by pursuing their passion whether it be space or something else in the great beyond.

Adventures at San Diego Comic-Con: Anniversaries and powerful women

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

aliens30th_2For the second straight year, Katelyn visited Comic-Con in San Diego. In case you missed it: Wonder Woman had an anniversary, Her Universe had a fashion show, a Costume Palooza, and Warner Brothers in Hall H!

 

Written and Photographed by: Katelyn Kohane

 

“Our enemy’s remain at home, abroad and in the skies beyond our world.” –Hank Henshaw

 

Saturday morning in Hall H was packed with Warner Brothers taking center stage, but the rest of the day didn’t let up with two major anniversaries and stars galore.

 

Star Trek celebrated their 50th Anniversary and we were all shown the new trailer for Star Trek Beyond which is now currently in theaters. After the trailer, the cast members came on stage. We had the opportunity to see William Shatner, Jeri Ryan, Michael Dorn, and Scott Bakule.

 

The cast was asked questions from the audience. Who’s their favorite Captain? Well that would be Kirk first and Bicard second. What’s their favorite piece of technology from the show? Michael Dorn mentioned the Next Generation iPad, Jeri loved the Transporter, and the Communicator holds a special place in William Shatner’s heart.

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The next anniversary in line was Aliens 30th. Director James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, Michael Biehn and Paul Reiser joined on stage as the audience was shown clips from the movie. During the dialogue amongst those on stage, Sigourney Weaver talked about her belief in the reality of the Alien Queen and did not want to know how the machine worked.

 

One gentlemen in the audience took the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to propose to his girlfriend because it was their favorite movie to watch together. Obviously she said yes.

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While the anniversaries were fun, the panel that followed added so added some extra power with Entertainment Weekly: Woman Who Kick Ass. The panel was full of powerful women and included Moren Baccarin (Gotham), Melissa Benoist (Supergirl), Nathalie Emmanuel (Furious 7), Lucy Lawless (Ash vs. Evil Dead), Tatian Maslany (Orphan Black), Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman), and Many-Na Wen (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). It was really cool to see all of those kick ass women in one place.

 

The women were asked about their proudest “kick ass” moments. Ming-Na Wan said, “When Agent May beats the crap out of three big guys.” Morena Baccarin mentioned “shooting Deadpool”, and Melissa Benoist said surviving a punch in the face by a woman who knows jujitsu.

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Saturday continues to be just as exciting and jammed packed. “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” is to stay tuned to see what Marvel had in store for us. As a spoiler I will mention Black Panther.

 

“Vengeance has consumed you. It’s consuming them. I’m done letting it consume me. Justice will come soon enough.” – T’Challa