The Health First Tiger Team and the Health First Center for Learning, in conjunction with the Associates and Nurses Endorsing Transplantation (ANET), are presenting "Life - Keep It Going Donation Around the World," the 22nd Annual ANET Conference on Organ and Tissue Donation/Transplantation Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20. The two-day conference will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cocoa Beach.

This conference is designed to increase awareness and understanding among healthcare professionals, and members of the community of the critical needs for organ and tissues for transplantation and research. Participants will learn about the increasing waiting list statistics, the progression of diseases that lead to the need for a transplant, current improvements being made and research projects in this arena, and how transplantation issues differ around the world.

Cost for Health First associates is $25 for one day; $45 for both days, which reflects a discount provided through a grant from the Health First EAGLES program. National ANET members pay $45 for one day; $85 for both days. All other participants pay $60 for one day; $100 for both days. Cancellations must be received within 72 hours of the conference date.

This program is approved for continuing education as follows:

Florida State Board of Nursing -5.5 hrs. Friday; 7 hrs. Saturday.

ANCC for Nursing - 4.5 hrs. Friday; 6 hrs. Saturday.

Clinical Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors - 5.5 hrs. Friday; 7 hrs. Saturday.

Respiratory - 5.5 hrs. Friday; 7 hrs. Saturday.

Speakers include Theo Von, comedic supporter of organ and tissue donations; Kathleen Giery, Public Relations Director for LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services; Dayna Buskirk, Director of Orthopedic Development for Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.; J. Grant Prather, Co-founder of The Big Fun Foundation and a double lung transplant recipient; and Reginald Green, television personality and founder of Nicholas Green Foundation. Other speakers include L. Thomas Chin, Surgical Director of Liver Transplants for Florida Hospital Transplant Center, Orlando; John Randall Edwards, Director of Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Walt Disney Memorial Cancer Center, Florida Hospital, Orlando; and Clifford L. Salinger, a Cornea, External Diseases Specialist and a Cornea, Refractive Consultant of the Palm Beaches.

Program sponsors for the conference include ANET, National and Brevard County Chapters; CryoBanks, International; Health First EAGLES; Health First Tiger Teams; Lions Eye Institute; Southeast Tissue Alliance; TransLife; Brevard County Organ Transplant Support Group.

Registration forms are available for download below, at all three Health First hospitals and at the Health First Center for Learning. For more information, call 321-434-7000, ext. 32919.

Conference Brochure and Registration Form