Resolution of the Board of Directors
of the
Rotary Club of Oklahoma City
In Appreciation of our President Ann Ackerman and best wishes for the health of her family
October 17, 2019
Whereas Ann Ackerman is currently serving as the 110th President of Oklahoma’s largest and oldest civic organization, The Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, and
Whereas President Ann underwent a surgical procedure on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 to donate one of her kidneys to her younger brother Paul Ackerman, who is suffering from kidney failure, and
Whereas This life saving living donor procedure was conducted at the Oklahoma Transplant Center at the OU Medical Center, which has a 98% success rate for kidney transplants, and
Whereas President Ann has reminded us that there are more than 130,000 people waiting in the U.S. to receive organ transplants and only 30,000 transplants are performed there is a tremendous need for such donations, and
Whereas Chronic kidney disease affects more than 30 million Americans. In Oklahoma, more than 21,000 Medicare patients have kidney disease, and 526 people are waiting for a kidney transplant but last year only 194 Oklahomans received a kidney transplant,
Be It Therefore Resolved:
The Board of Directors of Rotary Oklahoma City expresses its appreciation to President Ann Ackerman for demonstrating the power of love, generosity, kindness and selfless devotion to family, friends and those in need.
The Board of Directors, in the spirit of President Ann’s “Service above Self” example, request the Rotary Club 29 Foundation to allocate $5,000 to a newly established Donate to Life Fund in the Club 29 Foundation, in honor of President Ann and other Rotarian members who have been donors and recipients. Rotarian Members and others will be given the opportunity to contribute to this fund for the express purpose of raising awareness of the often times desperate need for more organ donors.
The Board of Directors offer its collective prayers to Ann Ackerman for her speedy recovery and especially for the good health of her brother, Paul Ackerman, who now carries with him a physical expression of a sister’s love for her brother.
Passed Unanimously by the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City on Thursday, October 17, 2019.
I am overwhelmed and very humbled by this. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to donate. The need for living and deceased donors is enormous. Please consider being a donor and mark you driver’s license.
President Ann, what an amazing gift! Many members of my family, including me, suffer from Polycystic Kidney Disease, so I know the need. Thank you for saving your brother and for raising awareness of the need for organ donations, and best wishes to you and Paul for healing.
There is way too much kidney disease. I will pray that a donor is waiting for you when the time comes that you are ready for a transplant.
Ann, that is a truly selfless gift given out of your love for your brother, and I admire you for doing it.
Thank You