Bay Area

Khalieghya Dandie-Evans, Richmond’s Liver Transplant Recipient, Chosen to Ride the 2020 ‘Donate Life’ Float at the Rose Bowl Parade

Published

5 years ago

December 26, 2019

This story was written by La’Tanya Dandie, who is the mother of Khalieghya, the liver transplant recipient.

Khalieghya Dandie-Evans is the chosen one. As the 2020 Donate Life Float rider in the 131st Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day she is at the top of her world. The float the Richmond resident will ride in is called “Light in the Darkness.”

The float will be adorned with thousands of roses from all over the country, each representing an individual donor or transplant recipient, as well as 44 memorial portraits made of flowers of deceased organ, eye and tissue donors.

The title is appropriate given Dandie-Evans’ rocky start in life. Born prematurely and diagnosed with Biliary Atresia — a disease that scars the liver and causes bile to build up — Dandie-Evans faced death at 5 months old.

Although she has no memory of it, Dandie-Evans is familiar with the story. She needed a liver transplant in order to survive. Her father matched, but he declined and other donors with her blood type were rare. After less than a month on the waiting list for a transplant, Dandie-Evans had become so sick and weak that doctors warned her mother that they would have only hours before she would be removed from the recipient list.

Stricken with the thought and pain of losing a child La’Tanya went home to discuss the decision with her other three children, Kevin 11, Kristopher 10 and Kheyaira 5. But before she could do it, she was awakened by an early morning call. A 4-year-old boy with the same blood type as Dandie-Evans had drowned in Fresno and was registered as an organ donor. “Please get back here and help us prepare, “Little Khalieghya,” they advised. That night, Aug. 6, 2002, Dandie- Evans underwent a 12-hour transplant surgery at Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

Now a lively 17-year-old senior at Oakland Military Institute who plays softball and other sports, Dandie-Evans nevertheless struggles with her condition. She has high blood pressure, junior arthritis, hearing loss and dermatomyositis and takes 17 pills twice a day to thwart organ rejection. Over the years she has been hospitalized several times for reactions to medications, kidney failure and multiple surgeries to remove her tonsils and adenoids and breast tumors caused by the immunosuppressive medications.

In her speech at the Richmond Historic Museum where she received a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks’ office, the Rose Parade honoree also told of her hopes: Despite missing weeks of school, she’s on track to graduate with honors in 2020 and has dreams of working as a therapist for children on the autism spectrum.

“I live a happy, active life, I smile and tell corny jokes,” Dandie-Evans said. “I got a second chance at life because a family said “Yes” (to registering their son as an organ donor).”

Having a transplant was not going to control Khalieghya’s life. I didn’t know how to treat her any differently than I treated my other children. I didn’t give her excuses or any stops, and that’s what kept her alive, smiling, well and happy.

Dandie-Evans wants to promote organ donation especially in the African American/Black community. She believes not enough People of Color have this type of conversation to become educated about saving lives.

“We just don’t have enough people to say yes to donation,” said Cathy Koubek of Donor Network West. “With the Rose Parade and the national attention, we hope people will really take a moment to think about this and make the decision to become a donor.”

Dandie-Evans is a living example of why people should register as organ donors, said Koubek. As of July 2019, more than 113,000 people were on the national organ transplant waiting list, according to organdonor.gov; 20 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant.

La’Tanya Dandie

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”

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Activism

Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.