Mr. Doug Lack
District Fine & Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist PreK-12
Director - STUDIO370 / Advisor - Art Club / Director - Art Saves Lives
Fine & Performing Arts Department Leader HHS
Best Contact Method: lackd@holliston.k12.ma.us
Dear Holliston Community,
I wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of you who have
supported me since I have shared my health struggles. The cards, the emails,
the donations, and the overwhelming support at the various fundraisers in my
honor have been beyond my wildest dreams. I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL!
Several months ago my doctors suggested to me that I begin the process of
finding ...a Living Donor. I was proactive and reached out via traditional
media and social media. To all of you who made the phone call to be tested
for me I say THANK YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART! For those of you who have gone
to the Transplant Center and who have undergone various testing I say THANK
YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART!
I AM VERY EXCITED TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE THAT I HAVE FOUND A MATCH! A VERY
SPECIAL PERSON has completed all of the testing and has told me that she is
willing and able to participate in this life-saving procedure. I will make a
joint statement with this person very soon.
I do not know when exactly the Transplant will occur. It could be 6 months
from now, it could a year from now, or even longer. The doctors want me to
use all remaining kidney function before having the surgery. The goal is to
skip over dialysis and go directly to the Transplant. Now that I have a donor
and have been busily Fund-raising, everything will be in place when the time
comes for the surgery.
As of 1/31/2012, we have raised $14,000. Our Fund-raising Goal is $25,000.
Fund-raising empowers family, friends, neighbors and community by allowing
them to help in a concrete way. While these supporters cannot change a
person's medical condition, they will be able to make healing for the patient
and their family easier.
Donations collected in honor of a patient are available throughout the
patient’s life.
What Types of Expenses Does Your Donation Help Pay?
My Health insurance covers surgery for myself and the Donor. Your support
will help with things not covered and could include the following:
• Health insurance premiums, deductibles and co-payments
• Medications / Prescription and Over the Counter
• Transportation to and from the transplant center for patient and companion.
Gas / Mileage
• Air ambulance for emergency visits to the transplant center
• Relocation/housing for patient, caregiver and living donor, including
moving expenses
• Parking fees for visits to the transplant center
• Meals and lodging for family support person
• Home cleaning services
• Yard cleaning services
• Hospital telephone and television privileges
• Post transplant biopsies / tests
• Living donor expenses
THANK YOU ALL!!! DOUG
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A little bit about me...I began my professional life as a Graphic Designer
after earning a BFA Degree from The Massachusetts College of Art. Several
years later I was inspired to become an art teacher after some profound
experiences in my life. I then went on to earn a Masters of Art and Teaching
Degree ( M.A.T.) from Tufts University and The School of The Museum of Fine
Arts, Boston. To maintain currency, I continue to take course work in
educational theory as well as studio art. After teaching for two years in
other districts, I enthusiastically began teaching Visual Arts at HHS during
the fall of 1998. With the help of community members and local businesses, I
helped steer the creation of an art gallery (STUDIO370) in the high school.
this experience led me to become an advocate on behalf of other schools that
would like to attempt the creation of such an entity. Subsequently, I was a
speaker at the 2004 National Art Education Association Convention in Boston,
where I discussed the best practices for creating such a space.
I serve on the Advisory Board of The Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards,
and have in the past served as a member of the Steering Committee for the
Art All-State program. I have also participated as a Grant Review Committee
member for The Boston Arts Academy. I was recently selected to the Advisory
Council to the Danforth Art Museum in Framingham, MA. I am a member of The
National Art Education Association, The Massachusetts Art Education
Association, and The Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education.
Honors
2004
MASSACHUSETTS ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION
CHAMPIONS OF ARTS EDUCATION / DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR OF VISUAL ARTS AWARD
2006
MASSACHUSETTS ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
HIGH SCHOOL ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD.