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2023 Tour Local Event Honorees for Dallas
The Cade R. Alpard Foundation for Pediatric Liver Disease, Inc.
Cade’s Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 2003 by Scott and Jennifer Alpard for the purpose of supporting and funding the various programs that will make a difference in the lives of children with liver disease. Our mission is to find a cure for pediatric liver disease through the support of research and education.
When Cade was first diagnosed with biliary atresia, we knew he would eventually require a liver transplant. We didn’t think he would need one this soon, but we are thankful he received a healthy liver and now can get back to being a normal, happy, active child.
During the rollercoaster of a year one of the most difficult parts was how helpless and frustrated we felt. The most difficult thing a parent can do is put the life of their child in someone else’s hands. Obviously, this is what was required for Cade to receive the wonderful and compassionate care that everyone at Texas Children’s Hospital provided (in spite of his occasionally demanding and frustrated parents).
During this ordeal, we decided we had to do something that would allow us to feel like we were involved or at least making some kind of difference. We met numerous families and got to know other brave, courageous, and beautiful children that had received a liver transplant or who had some type of liver disease. We felt that we could and should do something to make a difference in the lives of not only these children, and their families, but in the lives of others in the years to come.
In addition, we learned no other organization existed that was solely focused on finding cures for these devastating illnesses. As a result, we created a Foundation, in Cade’s name, focused on pediatric liver disease. It is with a great amount of pride and appreciation that we use Cade’s name for this worthwhile endeavor.
As Title Honoree, The Cade R. Alpard Foundation for Pediatric Liver Disease, Inc will be recognized at each local event along the 2023 Lone Star Circle of Life route.
Randy LeGrand – Living Kidney Donor
In 2004, Randy donated his spare kidney to one of his sisters. With Randy’s spare, Melanie has been able to live life without limits for 19 years.
Randy was one-of-a-kind soul, who had a knack for leaving people better than he found them. He had the gift of making you laugh on days you didn’t feel like smiling. He always would answer his phone no matter the time of day. He was the first to lend a helping hand no matter the task; weather it was to help work cattle, work on a well, move a building or help with homework. He would always show up, no matter what. He had a great sense of humor and liked practical jokes, but handled everyone’s hearts with loving care. He was even known to do fun runs in his boots and sometimes along side of donkeys. He never held a grudge and you would always know where he stood.
He was the best son, brother, dad, uncle, and friend anyone could have asked for. He always gave the best, most sincere hugs- you knew you were cherished.
David Whitson – Marrow Transplant Recipient
David Whitson was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in September 2016. He faced incredible odds in his battle against this disease. A dedicated father, husband, and airline pilot, his chances of survival were slim according to his doctors. However, in December 2016, a glimmer of hope emerged as David underwent a life-changing bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor, who had selflessly registered at Purdue University years earlier. This selfless act saved David’s life and allowed him to continue living an active and fulfilling life.
David not only returned to his role as an airline pilot but also emerged from this ordeal as a better person, cherishing each moment and appreciating the gift of life. He found a deep sense of purpose in advocating for bone marrow donations, volunteering his time with organizations like Be The Match and DKMS. David stands as a passionate supporter of the National bone marrow program tirelessly working to raise awareness and encourage others to join the noble cause of saving lives through bone marrow and other organ donations.
His inspiring journey serves as a beacon of hope for all those affected by leukemia or cancer and the power of selflessness in the face of adversity. Every Day is a Gift!
Tanisha Thomas – Kidney Recipient
“I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure due to lupus at the age of 33. I spend a total of five years on dialysis until I received my transplant on January 8th, 2019. My kidney came from my youngest sister.”
Joe Banks, Jr. – Organ Donor
“My son passed away May 24, 2022 – absolutely unexpected! During the time of his hospitalization, my daughter and I were informed that Joe had elected in 2014 to be an organ donor. Ironically, this timing coincided with the death of my husband who had been a kidney recipient in 2013 and my older sister, also a kidney recipient in 2007. I can’t be certain if these incidents influenced his decision because my son has always been such an unselfish, generous individual that whatever prompted his decision, I was not surprised but very proud!
In view of the exceptionally high numbers of people of color that daily need organs to be donated and the disproportionately lower number of donors, Joe’s decision and the subsequent number of lives positively impacted by his choice to be a donor convicted my heart of the need to spread the message, dispel the many myths surrounding organ donation in my community and continue Joe’s desire and choice to be an organ donor to as many people as I can.
I’m so honored that you would select my son to honor in the Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour – thank you!”
~ Sylvia Dillard
Todd Warner – Organ Recipient
I grew up in the North Texas suburbs around Dallas in the 1980’s. After high school, I pursued a career as a professional guitar player. I had just made my start in Nashville in 2001 when I was diagnosed with complete kidney failure. I limped home to Dallas broke and completely jaundiced.
I started hemodialysis immediately and began waiting for a donor. None of my friends or family were close enough to be matches for me as donors. While I was doing my 3-times-a-week treatments, I attended trade school and earned an Associate’s Degree in Electronic Engineering.
I received my first kidney transplant in April 2006 and found the National Transplant Games website. I started cycling for health and fun and found Team Texas. My wife Becca and I met at church in 2003, married in 2006 (she made me wait until I had a kidney), and had our son in 2008. Our daughter would be born in 2014.
I worked 10 years installing security systems until my transplant failed and I returned to hemodialysis again in 2016. Six long years of dialysis this time and I was frequently ill and deteriorating physically until my second transplant in April of last year.
Now I am working again and training for the 2024 Transplant Games in Birmingham, Alabama. I am a lifelong guitar player (now playing at my local church on Sunday mornings.) and I am loving the opportunity to raise our family with my beautiful wife. I am always trying to improve as an athlete, but it doesn’t come very naturally to me. I do feel like it’s the least I can do to start to repay the debt that I owe to my donors and their families.
Both my kidneys are from deceased donors whom I did not know. This gives me an awesome sense of responsibility that was tough to accept emotionally for a long time. My faith and my family have been crucial in that struggle, and I wouldn’t still be here today without both of those things. I enjoy being an advocate for donation awareness because I have seen first-hand how it creates miracles and saves lives.
Genesis Jones – Stem Cell Transplant Recipient
“I am a Sickle Cell Warrior advocate, student, author, and speaker. After conquering my recent battle with lymphoma, I’m a recent graduate student pursing a degree online in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lamar University. I currently work with teens and adolescents that are fighting their own mental health issues as they transition back into different areas of their lives while I provide support and supervision.
Not only am I an advocate for many organizations. I am a Co-founder of my own called “Sickle-Inspired”. The mission is to inspire Sickle-Cell Warriors and anyone who is facing adversity due to their chronic illness.
I am grateful to recently celebrate three years post-transplant. This means I no longer have Sickle Cell disease, but I have Sickle Cell trait. Battling with Sickle Cell for so long I still have pain which I pray will get better, but I give thanks to be at this point of my healing journey.”
BAS Outreach Clinic, Dr. Fishbach, MiMi Savedra, Abby Ramires, Joy Sia and Elizabeth Trokey
The Outreach Clinic was established by Dr. Fischbach with the hope and dream of helping bring excellent post-kidney transplant care to patients in the outlying areas of North/West Texas. Dr. Fischbach and his team fly out to Amarillo or Lubbock on Thursdays to see these patients.
Without the dedication and commitment of the team, it would be much more difficult for the remote patients to receive this care. Patients in these areas would have to drive 6+ hours to go to clinic, which would be impossible for some.
Thank you to Dr. Fischbach and his team for all that has been accomplished.
Rodney Tanamachi – Platelet Donor
Dallas resident and Carter BloodCare donor Rodney Tanamachi shared the way his parents’ influence became his inheritance of the gift of helping others:
“My story starts with my parents – Mitsuye (Mitzi) and Tom Tanamachi -who were interned during WWll. They were married at Poston Relocation Center in Arizona prior to the end of the war. After the war, they settled on a farm in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. They raised vegetables, cotton and grain, along with three sons. Dad sent us to college and beyond. Mom was a devoted Christian and a pillar of the family. They gave back to the community when able. `Always do the right thing’ that’s how they had coped with internment. Looking back, l’ve been very blessed. Using one of mom’s lesson’s, l’ve embraced a burning desire to pay it forward.
Blood donations struck a chord in me. I began giving blood in 2017. I found it a good way to give back and get involved with the community. After a Carter BloodCare specialist explained what platelets are typically used for, I became interested in donating platelets. I never dreamed I would be doing this for five years, but here I am. When I give platelets, I remind myself that someone will get through their chemo treatment because I gave. I am helping someone fight cancer so they can have another day with their loved ones.
At the end of the day, giving blood is not about me. It’s about the recipient. My recipients remain faceless, but I sense their need. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and capable to say, ‘Yes, I can help you right now.’ My parents’ story was about a lifetime of overcoming adversity and providing a stable, loving and structured lifestyle. The family values they taught resonate throughout my life today.”
Matt Sikes – Blood Donor
“I quickly realized this was a way I could really make a lasting difference in my community,” he said.
“I’ve always been in good health and, as my friends and family have undergone health struggles through the years, a part of me felt I could use the blessing of my own good health to serve others. My parents raised me to believe that it’s more blessed to give than to receive, so what better way to show love to my fellow Texans than to give platelets, which I do twice a month.
It also helps that I am close to the Rockwall Donor Center, which has some of the friendliest staff around. They do such a wonderful job of ensuring the safety and comfort of my donation experience, which makes it so easy to go back. I have donated 12 times, mostly double platelets due to the need and my blood type. My goal is to max out at 24 donations in 2023.
One of the biggest reasons I donate is because of my young children. I really want to set an example for them. Being a Sikes means we’re active in our community, and we seek ways to show kindness and love to our neighbors. They see me donate and know my short sacrifice of time will allow another dad to enjoy more time with his kids. Or, my donation might allow a kid to enjoy a healthy childhood, like what my kids get to enjoy.
Being a Carter BloodCare platelet donor is so much more to me than a volunteer opportunity. It’s a calling for me to bless and serve my Texan neighbors in a life-changing way.”
Ed Pawlik – Stem Cell and Heart transplant Recipient
“My journey began in 2010 when I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis. To be honest, the doctors I had at the time didn’t know what to do with me. I was in heart failure and had a rare disease for someone my age (37 at the time). They didn’t have a treatment plan. They gave me the standard ‘six months to live, get your affairs in order’ that most any patient got a decade ago, especially with heart involvement.
I fired my heart doc after about a month of not having any type of plan and found a new set of doctors. My wife and I were college sweethearts and been married 13 months at the time. We had to sort through family planning, then start chemotherapy and set a plan of what outcome we could expect. My transplant physicians collaborated well, and we decided that a trip to Mayo in Rochester for a second opinion was in order.
My wife and I took that trip and were told that an autologous stem cell transplant was not in the cards for me at that time, contrary to what my doctors here in Texas thought. So, we came home and continued chemotherapy which was working very well. From that July to December, my numbers had improved enough that we were ready to try for a stem cell transplant.
That was in 2011. I was still living with profound heart failure, severe swelling of legs, couldn’t walk moderate distances without getting out of breath, and heat intolerance. I lived with that until June 2015 when I received a heart transplant.
Before this all happened, I was very active athletically – running, cycling, soccer, and softball. The doctors made mention that had I not been in good shape when this happened, I would almost certainly be dead. I entered cardiac rehab following the transplant as I had to learn to swallow again due to some issues when I was intubated/extubated.
The proud moment of this is when I rode in the LIVESTRONG cycling challenge at the end of October just 4 short months after receiving my transplant. I haven’t looked back since then. I do what my doctors tell me medically and I try and push myself to get better physically. My Garmin account says that I’ve ridden over 10,000 miles in the past 8 years. I ride and fundraise for the LIVESTRONG challenge to fund cancer research and patient support every year and have done so since 2015.”
Orlando Rojas – Blood Recipient
In 2022, Dallas dad Orlando Rojas was diagnosed with leukemia, a health development that understandably impacted the entire family: wife Stephanie Sanchez, daughter Penelope and son Daniel. Together, the family stood strong as Orlando underwent treatments and transfusions. Stephanie shared how the compassion and generosity of blood donors encouraged her to become an active Carter BloodCare donor:
“My husband, Orlando, was hospitalized for a long time. During his hospital stay, he needed many platelet and blood transfusions. The donations Orlando received really saved his life, because his blood count was extremely low as the cancer attacked his blood.
I was a donor before, but now my goal is to become a regular donor and give as often as I can. I encourage anyone who has a few moments to spare to donate. The chairs are usually super comfy, and you can catch up on your emails or watch a show while the time passes.
I donate in honor of my husband, Orlando, who is now in remission. We are so fortunate that he can live a healthier life, thanks to the blood and platelet donations that helped save his life. I will forever be grateful that we have the opportunity to help someone else in need, the way we were immensely helped as well.”