‘Because tomorrow is too late’

There is a fair amount of passionate discourse in our state today concerning health care, AHCCCS, and organ transplants. Last month, a special group of Arizona’s leaders in the private sector came together to form TAP, the Transplant Assistance Project. TAP’s mission is to raise the $6.4 million required to pay for the nearly 40 transplant operations that are pending in Arizona. 

Led by such notables as Eddie Basha, Senator Leo Corbet, Governor Rose Mofford and Nina Roosevelt Gibson – granddaughter of FDR and a heart transplant recipient – TAP is working with the New Life Society which is already organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. I’m proud to say Pinal County’s employee Tim Kanavel – a multiple transplant recipient – is also involved in this campaign.

TAP’s motto is: “Because tomorrow is too late.”

Ak-Chin election results
 
In mid-January, Ak-Chin Indian Community members went to the polls to elect two of four candidates to its tribal council. Gabriel Lopez, currently Council Vice-Chairman, stood for re-election along with Councilwoman Leslie Carlyle-Burnett, while Delia Carlyle and Terry Enos sought to return to Council. Both Ms. Carlyle and Mr. Enos are former Tribal Chairs and Council members.

After deliberation and a solid exchange of viewpoints, the voters chose to return Mr. Lopez and elect Ms. Carlyle. I very much look forward to working with both newly elected officials and incumbent Tribal Council members in the coming years as we plan together to meet our common challenges.
 
Diabetes outreach

Diabetes is a pervasive disease that strikes more than 17 million Americans, including nearly In Pinal County, that translates to nearly 8 percent of our county’s residents.

Mary Gonzales, Coordinator for Pinal County’s Health Department’s Diabetes and Prevention Program, is focused on encouraging residents to organize monthly support groups for diabetics. There are currently groups active in Casa Grande, Maricopa, Eloy, Mammoth, Florence and Apache Junction.

I won’t go into the symptoms and complications that make diabetes such a debilitating disease because Mary does a much better job of it than I. Her focus on diabetes is more than just her job – she also chairs the Pinal County Diabetes Coalition which mounts programs and events throughout the year and all around Pinal County.  Please call Mary at 520.866.7687 or email her at [email protected] for more information.
 
Upcoming celebrations
Everybody loves a parade – right? Well, the weekend of Feb. 19 is a blockbuster! First up on Saturday in Sacaton is the 66th Anniversary of the raising of the U.S. Flag on Iwo Jima.  Sponsored by the Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84, this wonderful parade features lots of military units, veterans’ organizations, Native American Code Talkers, antique cars and a military fly-over.

Immediately following the parade, veterans will muster in Ira H. Hays Memorial Park for addresses from those who fought in World War II. After that, there’s a Pow Wow with lots of Native American dancing that will last well into the night. This annual event is a wonderful tribute to those who served and died for our country as well as celebrating those who currently serve in harm’s way in defense of our country.
 
That same weekend, the annual O’odham Tash event – starting on the 18th and running through the 21st – is resplendent with arts and crafts activities and booths, as well as a variety of rodeo events. For more information, click on the Pinal County website (http://pinalcountyaz.gov) or check your newspaper for details.

David Snider is Pinal County District 3 Supervisor.

InMaricopa.com encourages readers to submit their thoughts and opinions on issues and events affecting Maricopa, Pinal County and Arizona. Please send 400 words or less to [email protected]. Include your full name, phone number and e-mail address along with any attribution you want included. If you have a good headshot of yourself, please send that too, attached as a JPG file. Letters and opinion pieces may be edited for length.