Sharing memory of a moving event in 2019 for organ donors, recipients

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Marking the 5th anniversary today of my life-saving kidney transplant

I'm feeling incredibly grateful today to have been part of a nine-way kidney transplant five years ago at Yale New Haven Hospital. 

I can't say enough good things about the doctors, nurses, and all who helped me through the entire process.

And I'm forever grateful to my altruistic donor, Robin Gilmartin. She is seated at my right in the photo. 

To my left is Ralph's wonderful sister, Sue Watson, for whom I'm also forever grateful. She got the ball rolling, so to speak, by coming forward to be a donor for me. It turned out her kidney was a better match for the man to her left, Bill Greenwood. 

Please click here to learn more about becoming an organ donor.

Cassetti seeks to make Ansonia a Purple Heart City

Sharing from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti announces the formation of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) which was founded here in Ansonia in 1932. 

Mayor Cassetti would like to make Ansonia a Purple Heart City and would like any resident who has received a Purple Heart to please contact Mayor Cassetti's Office at 203-736-5900 extension 6101.

On July 16th, 2022, at 3 P.M we will commemorate at its founding location, the Ansonia Armory, where Mayor Cassetti will present a Proclamation to honor our Purple Heart recipients.

Recuperation journey: Transplant forum inspires

As a kidney recipient I was invited to the sixth annual Join the Journey event Saturday at Messiah Baptist Church in Bridgeport. I'm so glad I was able to attend. 
I heard some amazing stories of strength and resilience recounted by other kidney transplant recipients, and a liver transplant recipient who now needs a kidney.
I'm pictured here with Joyce Albert, senior clinical transplant coordinator at Yale-New Haven Hospital, left, and Devon Greenwood, center, who donated a kidney to someone she didn't know. 
Her husband, William, was working and unable to attend. He needed a transplant last year and received one from my sister-in-law, Suzanne Watson, who stepped forward and was tested to be a donor when she learned I needed a kidney. 
Devon Greenwood said her husband is doing fine, as is she. I'm happy to report that Suzanne, my husband's sister, is also feeling fine.

Before going to the program I wrote this post about not being able to take anything from the breakfast buffet. 
I had no problem getting food straight from the kitchen. All of the church women working there were so friendly and accommodating to visitors!

Women in Networking awards grants to 3 entrepreneurs in Valley

Three Valley women were recently selected as recipients of the 13th annual Women in Networking Entrepreneurial Grant program. 

They are: Dr. Julia Bonks, ConnectiKidz Dental Care, Derby; Attorney Karen A. Fisher, Law office of Karen A. Fisher, Seymour; and Dawn Lowery, One Smart Dog, Shelton. 

The WIN grant is a named fund with the Valley Community Foundation. 
WIN is a council affiliated with the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The grant recipients will utilize the grant in different ways: ConnectiKidz Dental Care will utilize the funds for Community Outreach Programs such as Give a Kid a Smile Day; Law Office of Karen A. Fisher will upgrade practice management software and technology; and One Smart Dog will use the funds for continuing education towards certifications. 

All three winners will be presented with grants during the WIN Holiday Luncheon 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Dec. 13 at Tea with Tracy in Seymour. 

The grants are distributed from funds received from WIN membership dues and fundraisers organized by the group.

“We are delighted to continue the legacy of awarding annual grants to well-qualified entrepreneurial women and are pleased to offer $3,000 in grants and scholarships to encourage economic development in the Valley,” said Mary Jo Romano, Co-Chair of WIN and Principal with Mary Jo Romano - Financial Planner.

Sharon Massafra, franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care and independent consultant with Arbonne International, chaired the grant selections committee.

Grant-in-aid program
This grant-in-aid program provides financial assistance to women 18 years or age or older in the Greater Valley area in the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 

The WIN grant can be used for expenses to enhance the applicant’s current business or to start a new business.  Recipients are also invited to a complimentary one-year membership to the WIN Group. 
Since its inception, WIN has given just over $40,000 to 47 grant recipients.

WIN is the first group of its kind to service the six-town region of the Greater Valley.  
Founded in 2002, the group was formed by a successful group of businesswomen who meet to discuss common issues. Meetings are conducted on the second Tuesday of each month.  

These meetings are either held at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce office or off-site at a Chamber member location.  
Social and educational events are also scheduled throughout the year.

Call 203-925-4981 or visit www.greatervalleychamber.com for more information about joining the Chamber and WIN.    


This is a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.