Beyond Generous The Story of Sheila Wiatr Sokolski “My mother first told me about October Kitchen after she got some gift cards for folks from her church. Initially, I used October Kitchen for the same reason, giving their gift cards to a friend who was dealing with breast
T his November, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is hosting their Night of but that’s not the only October Kitchen connection to this wonderful event. One of our clients, Sheila Wiatr Sokolski, is a member of the NKF advocacy committee. This organization is near and dear to her heart because Sheila herself is a living kidney donor. Last year, Sheila learned that one of her friends at work was trying to find a kidney donor for a woman named Debbie Lanagan. Debbie, a special-education teacher and mother of two, suffered from kidney failure for several years and was about to go on dialysis. Though Sheila had never met Debbie before, she instantly connected with her story. “We’re the same age,” Sheila explains. “And our youngest kids are the same age. I’m lucky to be in good health. I can’t imagine dealing with that kind of thing, looking at a future where I wouldn’t be able to do things with my children as they grew up. I wanted to help her.” Sheila filled out a survey and discovered that she Hope Celebration. This is an evening to raise money for the Connecticut kidney community. October Kitchen has donated an item for the gala’s silent auction,
cancer. When I eventually tried them for myself, I was hooked. I work full time, have two little kids and am gluten-free. I don’t always have time to get a hot meal on the table after work. October Kitchen helps me find a balance between home and work.”
—Sheila Wiatr Sokolski
It’s important to make sure a donor is physically and mentally prepared to donate an organ. Sheila and Debbie went in for surgery on July 25 and they both made a full recovery. Donating her kidney and working with NKF aren’t Sheila’s first brushes with serving her community. As assistant vice president of operations at The Hartford, Sheila helps her community by providing the security of insurance. Additionally, The Hartford is a founding sponsor of the U.S. Paralympics. There are plenty of ways to make a difference in your community. If anyone out there is considering donating a kidney, Sheila has this advice: “You need to listen to what’s inside of you. It’s not a decision that’s right for everyone, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If it’s not right for you, there are many other ways to support people and organizations who need organ donations. This was the right choice for me and I’m so glad I could help Debbie and her family.”
and Debbie were a match. But it’s not enough just to be a blood match. Before Sheila could donate her kidney, she had to go through medical tests and meet with a social worker.
2 OctoberKitchen.com
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