Kidneys

Our speaker last Thursday was one of our members, Darren O'Connor, who talked about the complicated legal, medical and ethical issues involved in kidney transplants. Transplants are regulated by federal law and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) under contract with the US Department of Health and Human Services. Darren became involved with the subject when his brother needed a kidney.
In other business, the deadline has passed for scholarship applications, and our Scholarship Committee is evaluating those which have been submitted.

Ballston Spa, Prevention Council

We held a joint meeting this week with the Ballston Spa Rotary Club, and  agreed to partner for a service project this spring. 
At last week's board and business meetings, we OK'd a $100 donation to The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County.

Good Dog

Guest speaker at last week's meeting was Julia Gates, coordinator of the New Skete Monasteries' kennel and German Shepherd dog breeding program in Cambridge, Washington County.

Julia brought along her well behaved certified therapy dog, Maverick, and told us about working with therapy dogs in hospitals and nursing homes. She was the guest of Chris Luhn, who can provide information about how to get involved with the New Skete programs (or follow the link).