About The Nation's Captual Area Chapter TRIO

In August 1991, 20 people from this area went to the TRIO convention in Philadelphia. This included the Bradys, the Leons and several other people who are still members. Of those original 20 people, three have passed on (including Nancy Brady). Five people have moved from the area and 12 are still dues paying members. This speaks to the importance of TRIO in our lives.

Through the hard work of the original committee, we were chartered at the TRIO National Convention in Las Vegas in September 1992. Our first chapter meeting was in October 1992 with Carolyn Berry, Public Affairs Manager at WRTC as our first speaker. This started our on-going wonderful relationship with WRTC, which continues to this day. There were 34 people at that meeting, 17 of whom are still members.

Our first chartering anniversary dinner was at the Best Western in Arlington and Dr. Jimmy Light was the speaker. Veronica Meury, Executive Director of TRIO at that time, presented our charter certificate. We had a Tree of Life ceremony and about 60 people attended. [We intend to add this tradition back to our future anniversary dinners.]

Our first major project was hosting the 1993 International TRIO Conference. Here we were a new chapter and we had to put on the conference, right off the bat. At that time, the International Office was still in Pittsburgh, so we did a lot of the leg work ourselves. Two of the highlights, in addition to the sessions, were the reception at the Mexican Cultural Center and the "Walk on the Mall." We had over 400 people in green T-shirts and carrying water bottles walking from the Smithsonian Metro stop to the reflecting pool in front of the Capitol. We stopped traffic as we crossed the streets and many people asked us about "TRANSPORTATION!" (Obviously, some people can't read!)

Les and Mary Lamm hosted our first holiday party in 1992. Les is no longer with us and Mary has moved to Las Vegas.

From that first year, we have moved on to many projects:

• Monthly meetings/social events
• Resource guide
• Web page
• Speakers bureau with WRTC
• Mentoring program - in process
• Telephone service - answer questions, provide information
• Dance to celebrate NOTDAW
• Planted rose bushes at each Transplant Hospital to honor the donors
• Monthly newsletter
• TRIO race cars - national race and local parades and exhibits
• Health fairs out the wazoo
• Individuals doing their own speaking engagements
• Represent TRIO in various disease organizations, like NKF and ALF
• Participate in the Coalition on Donation
• Provide speakers to Congressional committees on issues affecting transplantation
• Sponsor college scholarships in our chapter's name to TRIO members

TRIO is an organization comprised of persons who have had an organ transplant and we come together as family. We have nothing in common except we own are lives to the blessed generosity from the organ donor family. We come from every walk of life, socio-economic and ethnic group. But what we do share in common is the joy of living and the thanks to our donors for giving us back our lives.

If this brief introduction peaks your interest and you would like to learn more about us then contact us. For members visiting your website please remember this is WORK IN PROGRESS we are attempting to put together pictures and stories about our Chapter history, if you wish to contribute contact us. If you have any memories or pictures that you would like to contribute, contact Linda Cheatham at 703 920 8746.

President
Linda Cheatham

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