Writer Talks Politics Mexican Gala by JASON SHAAD Robert J

Jana Correa is just one of almost 500 student-athletes whom you’ve probably never heard of, yet her entire life revolves around Jayplay her sport. Look beyond the University’s celebrity athletes to discov- er those passionate enough to dedicate themselves without the motivation of fame and a lucrative future. THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904. VOL. 115 ISSUE 147 THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005 WWW.KANSAN.COM ▼ HEALTH The Gift of Life Myths may discourage donations BY NATE KARLIN [email protected] KANSAN STAFF WRITER The organ transplant waiting list continues to grow rapidly, but myths about donating stop people from registering with the donor registry, said Laura Schons, hospital and family services coordinator for the Midwest Transplant Network. The most common myths include stories that emergency medical technicians won’t save people’s lives so there are more organs for transplants. Or that donors can’t have an open-casket funeral or families are charged for the donations. All are not true, Schons said. Suzanne Muldrew, Overland Park freshman, Erin Droste/KANSAN didn’t register as a donor when she got her license. BY NATE KARLIN She said she would only want family members to receive her organs. She didn’t want them going to KANSAN STAFF WRITER recipients who needed a new organ because they purposely damaged their old one, such as her liver going to an alcoholic. People are placed on the waiting list for a vari- Four people have a ety of reasons, Schons said. Family members have priority to the organs providing they match per- better life today because fectly. But possible donors shouldn’t assume their organs would automatically be given to a specific of Connor Meigs. Connor’s twin brother. “I think ing off that option when they young people to think about type of person. it’s a gift to mankind. He’s given receive or renew their driver’s organ donations, Schons said. People cannot be placed on the waiting list if a part of himself so more people licenses; they can state their They have healthier hearts and Connor checked off a box their organs have been damaged because of drugs can live more enriched lives, intentions in a living will; or lungs, which are the most diffi- when he renewed his Nebraska or alcohol. If somehow they get on a list, they will and they, in turn, can help other they can sign up directly with cult organs to transplant, she driver’s license when he was 18 be denied a transplant if the abuse is discovered, people.” the Midwest Transplant said. years old, saying he wanted to Schons said. Connor was one of more Network. In Nebraska, sign-up be an organ donor. Then, in Schons simply urges everyone to seek the truth than 620,000 registered donors is just as easy. Families say goodbye, save lives December, a year and a half about donating before possibly denying someone in Kansas and Nebraska. In The demand for organs is For Connor Meigs’ family, later, he died in a car accident. a life-saving match. Kansas, residents have three high and the supply is never being part of the organ dona- And on Christmas Day, four “My concern is why people say ‘no,’” Schons ways to sign up with the donor enough, health officials say. In tion process was difficult, but recipients received the gift of said. “If they’re saying ‘no’ for reasons that aren’t registry, said Laura Schons, addition, the recipient must gratifying. But Linda Meigs life from a KU student they true or if they’re saying ‘no’ because of disrespect hospital and family services have a perfect match with the knows the decision her son would never meet. to their loved one – I don’t want them saying ‘no.’” “He gave probably the great- coordinator for the Midwest organ so the wait is usually made to donate his organs was est Christmas present he could Transplant Network. People long. have,” said Doug Meigs, can become a donor by check- It’s especially important for SEE LIFE ON PAGE 6A — Edited by Austin Caster ▼ MULTICULTURALISM ▼ SPEAKER Students hail Writer talks politics Mexican gala BY JASON SHAAD Robert J. Dole Institute of [email protected] Politics, including students who BY ESTUARDO GARCIA don’t know why the holiday KANSAN STAFF WRITER were fans of the show. [email protected] was celebrated in the first place. “I like the writing and the KANSAN STAFF WRITER Today, different organizations The president has been a dialogue,” said Alex Benson, Carrie Warner was almost on campus are going to educate Democrat for the last six years. Salina junior and fan of the fired for being unavailable to students about the history He recently revealed to the show. “The show is a quick- work on Cinco de Mayo last behind Cinco de Mayo. American public that he had paced look at politics.” year. The St. Louis junior said Rebecca Orozco, Kannapolis multiple sclerosis. And almost During the discussion, Attie Cinco de Mayo was the busiest sophomore and Sigma Lambda every member of his White talked about the similarities and day of the year at Chevy’s Gamma president, said their House staff has won an Emmy differences between “The West restaurant where she worked. activities would give students an while working with him. Wing” and real life. It’s a good time for people to opportunity to celebrate It’s not reality, but the NBC The authenticity of the show get drunk, Warner said. Mexican culture. show “The West Wing” follows is in its underlying ideas, Attie Cinco de Mayo gives students One of the first misconcep- realistic White House issues and said. the opportunity to knock back a tions about the day is that it is Steven Bartkoski/KANSAN culture. “If the show serves one pur- couple of Coronas and take a often confused with Mexico’s Eli Attie, writer and producer of the NBC show “The West Wing,” Eli Attie, a writer and produc- pose, it’s to show that politi- couple shots of tequila. answers questions from Steven Jacques, senior fellow of the Robert J. er for the show, spoke to about But many of these students SEE GALA ON PAGE 3A Dole Institute of Politics, last night at the Dole Institute. 400 people last night at the SEE WRITER ON PAGE 3A Today’s weather Jeans fetch big bucks Unique transformations Record setter The standard $30 Levis Lawrence landlords are turning old city buildings, Triple jumper Brooklyn are still in style, but including churches and malls, into apartments and Hann has already beat- 73 53 women are willing to townhomes to draw new clients.. PAGE 2A en her own record once Lots of sunshine shell out hundreds of dol- this year. The senior —Sarah Jones,KUJH-TV lars for brand-name hopes to beat it again Tomorrow Saturday Softball jeans. Local stores and before leaving. She 77 56 82 61 After losing to Missouri yesterday, 3-0, Kansas Slight chance of storms Mostly sunny boutiques stock brands faces its final regular season match against Iowa came just short at the that go for as much as State in Ames, Iowa. Next comes the Big 12 Kansas Relays, but she All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2005 The University Daily Kansan $250. PAGE 4A Conference Tournament. PAGE 1B still took first. PAGE 2B 2a the university daily kansan news thursday, may 5, 2005 ▼ insidenews ▼ LIVING "West Wing" writer visits Institute Eli Attie, a producer and writer for NBC’s "The West Wing," spoke at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics last night. Attie, a speech writer for the Clinton administration, talked about the similarities and differences between the show and real life, and how Al Gore really is as boring as he seems. PAGE 1A Former KU student saves lives through death After former KU student Connor Meigs died in a car accident last year, he gave the gift of life — his organs — to four candidates on the waiting list because he had signed up as an organ donor when he renewed his license. Though some KU students don’t sign up for organ donations because of various myths, donations are necessary throughout the United States. More than 87,000 people await organs that will match with their bodies. Otherwise they, too, will die. PAGE 1A MRC, HALO use Mexican holiday to inform Today the Multicultural Resource Center and the Hispanic American Leadership Organization will be at Mrs. E’s to make sure students know why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated, instead of just using it as another excuse to drink. Carrie Warner, St. Louis junior, said the holiday was the busiest day of the year for Mexican restaurants. PAGE 1A Renovated buildings become unique new homes Lawrence landlords are using everything they can — old churches and even retail malls — to create unique buildings to attract new clients and an influx of students. These old buildings are not restricted to individual renters, either. At least one renovated church is home to a small business, which appreciates its proximity to downtown. PAGE 2A Comfort at a cost Designer jeans — some costing as much as $250 a pair — have been flying off the shelves at local stores. Some say shoppers wear the jeans just for the labels. Other insist the higher the price, the higher the comfort. PAGE 4A ▼ insideOpinion Column: Childhood’s lessons take on new meaning as we grow old Sara Zafar reiterates all those old rules we used to hear as children and explains how they still mean something in our everyday adult lives.

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