Become organ donor, offer to help others get care

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association was founded in 1986 when residents of Bloomington, Ind., rallied around a toddler who needed a lifesaving liver transplant. In less than eight weeks, the community raised $100,000 to place the boy on the organ waiting list. But the child died befor…

Rough road to recovery for Griffith boy

Griffith resident Blake Loudenber, pictured here in March 2012 when he was 8, continues to recover from surgery that gave him a new kidney.

Heart Transplant Success Story Barrett Younghans, 19, of Goshen, Ind.

Barrett Younghans, 20, of Goshen, Ind. had a heart transplant one year ago on Feb. 12, 2012. He's a sophomore at Valparaiso University who spreads education and awareness about "heart health habits."

Barrett Younghans, 19, of Goshen, Ind., had a heart transplant one year ago.

Valparaiso University sophomore Barrett Younghans, 19, of Goshen, Ind., had a heart transplant one year ago and now is doing great.

Barrett Younghans, 19, of Goshen, Ind. had a heart transplant one year ago.

VALPARAISO | Barrett Younghans, 19, of Goshen, Ind. had a heart transplant one year ago. He's doing great and is now a sophomore at Valparaiso University.

Highland man nears five-year mark for transplanted lungs

Rick Smeberg, of Highland, cares for his granddaughters, 2-year-old Kara, left, and 1-year-old Audra, in the girls' Munster home. Smeberg had a double lung transplant in 2008 and has had a better outcome than many patients his age, his doctor said.

Highland man nears five-year mark for transplanted lungs

Rick Smeberg cares for his granddaughters Kara, left, and Audra at the girls' Munster home. Smeberg had a double lung transplant in 2008 because he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

Hammond firefighter meets cell donor who saved his life

John Fox, left, of Raleigh, N.C., and Mark Sanders, of Lowell, visit Monday at the Hammond Fire Department Central Station. Sanders, a former Hammond firefighter, was diagnosed with rare blood disease in June 2009 and received bone marrow from Fox.

Valpo mom in need of kidney transplant — again

Valparaiso resident Jennifer Ray is hoping to have a second kidney transplant after receiving one in 1993.

Valpo mom in need of kidney transplant — again

Jennifer Ray, of Valparaiso, needs a second kidney transplant after receiving one in 1993. The 37-year-old mother of one boy is on a transplant list and hopes to raise awareness of the need for living kidney donors.

Local teen receives life-saving heart, liver transplant

Tom Castillo's heart started beating inside his 15-year-old frame six weeks ago.

Encouraging Life support

Porter Health System CEO Jonathan Nalli, third from left, and others join hands in support of National Donate Life month Thursday during a flag raising ceremony at the Porter hospital in Valparaiso.

Encouraging Life support

Porter Health System CEO Jonathan Nalli gives a proclamation for National Donate Life month Thursday at the Porter hospital in Valparaiso. There are more than 110,000 people waiting for a transplant including 36 in Porter County. Porter Health System is encouraging people to be organ donors …

This community can help save a life

The Children's Organ Transplant Association was founded more than 25 years ago when residents of Bloomington, Ind., rallied around a little boy who needed a life-saving liver transplant. In less than eight weeks, the community raised $100,000 to place the boy on the organ waiting list. But t…

Blake Loudenber waits for a new kidney

Blake Loudenber, 8, hugs his grandmother Cindy Loudenber at their Griffith home. Blake was born with his kidneys failing and has been waiting for his second kidney transplant since he was 2.

Griffith boy still waiting for kidney

Blake Loudenber, 8, of Griffith, undergoes 11 hours of dialysis every night while he sleeps.

Griffith boy still waiting for kidney

Blake Loudenber's growth has been stunted from his need for a new kidney.

Griffith boy still waiting for kidney

Blake Loudenber, 8, of Griffith, is in need of a kidney transplant. He had a transplant at age 2, but his body rejected it, leaving him on a donor list ever since.

Front page reflected best, worst of humanity

Wow, your March 14 front page certainly reflected the worst and best of man. You have an article on an alleged child pornographer, an alleged hit-and-run driver and a father grieving over his beloved infant son who, in passing away, donated organs to other children in need. There is nothing …