2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
It's part of a Data Science Corner Campaign where I will be discussing the fundamentals of DataScience, AIML, Statistics etc.
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
Here's my presentation on by proven best practices how to manage your work time effectively and how to improve your productivity. It includes practical tips and how to use tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Hubspot, Google Calendar, Gmail and others.
The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
The six step guide to practical project management
If you think managing projects is too difficult, think again.
We’ve stripped back project management processes to the
basics – to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing
the vital ingredients for success.
“If you’re looking for some real-world guidance, then The Six Step Guide to Practical Project Management will help.”
Dr Andrew Makar, Tactical Project Management
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...Applitools
During this webinar, Anand Bagmar demonstrates how AI tools such as ChatGPT can be applied to various stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC) using an eCommerce application case study. Find the on-demand recording and more info at https://applitools.info/b59
Key takeaways:
• Learn how to use ChatGPT to add AI power to your testing and test automation
• Understand the limitations of the technology and where human expertise is crucial
• Gain insight into different AI-based tools
• Adopt AI-based tools to stay relevant and optimize work for developers and testers
* ChatGPT and OpenAI belong to OpenAI, L.L.C.
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
It's part of a Data Science Corner Campaign where I will be discussing the fundamentals of DataScience, AIML, Statistics etc.
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
Here's my presentation on by proven best practices how to manage your work time effectively and how to improve your productivity. It includes practical tips and how to use tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Hubspot, Google Calendar, Gmail and others.
The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
The six step guide to practical project management
If you think managing projects is too difficult, think again.
We’ve stripped back project management processes to the
basics – to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing
the vital ingredients for success.
“If you’re looking for some real-world guidance, then The Six Step Guide to Practical Project Management will help.”
Dr Andrew Makar, Tactical Project Management
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...Applitools
During this webinar, Anand Bagmar demonstrates how AI tools such as ChatGPT can be applied to various stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC) using an eCommerce application case study. Find the on-demand recording and more info at https://applitools.info/b59
Key takeaways:
• Learn how to use ChatGPT to add AI power to your testing and test automation
• Understand the limitations of the technology and where human expertise is crucial
• Gain insight into different AI-based tools
• Adopt AI-based tools to stay relevant and optimize work for developers and testers
* ChatGPT and OpenAI belong to OpenAI, L.L.C.
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...
Christmas Miracle 12.25.2010
1. Datestamp: 12/25/2010
The gift of LIFE
Buncombe teen enjoys first Christmas with new heart
"My faith was just that strong. God brought him here for a reason. He wasn't done with him."
Michael Bartlett, father of William.
Buncombe teen enjoys first Christmas with new heart
By Sandra V. Rodriguez
srodriguez@citizen−times.com
BLACK MOUNTAIN −
William Bartlett doesn't want much for Christmas this year, just snow − lots of it.
William wants to see the snow blanket the land, just like in the pictures his father, Michael, took last year
during the Christmas weekend snowstorm.
"I just like that it changes everything," William said.
Last year the wish of William and his family was more dramatic: a new heart for William, who lay in bed
heavily sedated in a Charlotte hospital just before that December 2009 storm, his own heart failing.
This year, the 16−year−old just can't get enough of the outdoors. Maybe it was being confined to the hospital
for more than a month last year. This fall he spent hours upon hours practicing with a bow in preparation for
his first deer hunt, which he went on recently.
"If you're a teenager and you feel good, you want to go out," said his father, Michael Bartlett. "He is often
doing something because he feels like doing something."
William can do that now thanks to a 16−year−old boy somewhere who gave him the gift of life, in the form of
a new heart. The anonymous teen and his family potentially saved the lives of up to eight people through
organ donation.
The Bartletts got their wish just before Christmas last year: William got his heart transplant on Dec. 20. Then
the family waited to see if it would take.
"He (William) went into sinus rhythm on Christmas day," said his mother, Tammy Bartlett, who had a
difficult time holding back tears as she recounted the story. Sinus rhythm indicated that the transplanted heart
was working as it was intended.
A boy in trouble
The gift of LIFE 1
2. Growing up, William displayed all the traits of any growing boy − with one mighty difference: A rare
congenital defect in his major arteries caused his heart to work overtime, all the time. That led the organ to
begin to fail as William approached his teens, explained Dr. Benjamin Peeler, a surgeon with Charlotte's
Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, part of Carolinas Health Care System.
William's failing heart led to a rapid decline in health.
William was in critical condition when Peeler, who retrieved and delivered the donor heart, met him shortly
before the transplant in December 2009.
"His heart basically completely failed," Peeler said. "He was essentially on the heart/lung machine to keep
him alive before his transplant."
William had been on the state's transplant waiting list for five years, since 2004. There are typically fewer
organs for younger people than there are for adults because the size criteria for children are more specific.
For the years that William waited for a donor, his family treated him like a normal little boy who enjoyed
playing baseball and football, which was modified to exclude contact. He liked to fish and hunt − activities
that Michael enjoyed sharing with his son.
But little by little, things became harder for Will to accomplish.
"He (William) would spend about 30 minutes before he would say, 'Dad, I can't do this,'" Michael said.
By 2009, a lot of little signs indicated William's condition was rapidly deteriorating. During the summer,
William was noticeably slowing down.
On trips to the store, Michael and Tammy often had to stop and wait for William, who would struggle to catch
up. Tammy kept trying to get him into a wheelchair, but William refused.
He would lie in bed, suffering from the pain brought on by migraines related to his failing heart.
One day when William was 15, in the early afternoon, Tammy received a call from her elder son, then
16−year−old Chris, that sent her rushing to Owen High School. The message? "Mom, he's turned blue."
Around Thanksgiving 2009, Tammy noticed that William's toes were alarmingly swollen. Because his heart
was so weak, he was retaining fluids "real bad," enough for a trip to the emergency room. That same day,
William was transferred into the care of doctors at Levine Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center in
Charlotte.
"We knew there was something wrong," Tammy said. "He had asked us when we went down to get the heart
catheter, 'We're coming home, right?' I said, 'We're supposed to.' But we didn't."
Instead, William was moved to the intensive care unit, where he would remain until the new year. William
was on a ventilator and heavily sedated for at least a week leading up to Christmas.
Last Christmas
Tammy spent most of the 2009 holiday season at William's bedside, staring out the window at a Christmas
tree lot across the street. She saw the numbers dwindle as people bought their trees and drove off the lot, on
their way to creating happy memories.
The gift of LIFE 2
3. Her prayers were answered in the wee morning hours of Dec. 19: A potential donor heart had been found. By
then, a heart and lung machine was the only thing keeping Will alive.
"When you all were getting the snow here − and he loves snow − his aunt said we were getting snow here
because he was going to get his heart down there (in Charlotte)," Tammy said.
Tammy and her mother−in−law kept the information from the rest of the family − including Michael and
Chris, at home in Black Mountain − until doctors confirmed it. The second call came about 8 a.m. Dec. 19. It
was a match.
"I called him (Michael), and I told him, 'They have a heart,'" Tammy said.
Michael and Chris had been commuting from Black Mountain to Charlotte on weekends while William was in
the hospital. The Dec. 18 snow wasn't enough to stop Michael when he got the news: Michael, his father and
his brother all got in the car to drive to Charlotte.
"My dad said, 'Son, we got 18 inches,'" Michael said. "I said, 'I'm getting out of here even if I have to call the
National Guard.' We had no problems. The roads still had about that much snow (indicating at least 4 inches
with his hands). But I was determined, I was going."
The men made it in nearly three hours.
After the transplant surgery, William's doctors put him on an outside pacemaker, which helped the donated
heart to beat a normal rate until it began to beat normally on its own.
During a checkup on Christmas Day, Peeler unplugged the pacemaker and then plugged it back in.
"He (Peeler) unplugged it again," Michael said. "And he said, 'Merry Christmas. We're on silent rhythm.'"
Regaining strength
William was one of the lucky few who got a second chance. About 18 people on the transplant waiting list die
every day, according to the Mayo Clinic.
There aren't enough organ donors for the more than 110,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list,
including more than 3,000 North Carolinians, according to The United Network for Organ Sharing.
William went home in January. But it was just the first step in a monthslong recovery.
In the spring, the Bartletts took a walk around Owen High School's ball field during one of their first outings
after Will was well enough to leave his home in Black Mountain. He took off running, leaving behind two
very emotional parents. It was a big milestone for the teen who at one point couldn't eat and breathe at the
same time.
"It was just amazing to see him walk and not get out of breath," Michael said. "He said, 'This is what it feels
like to be normal.'"
It took a lot of work for the Owen High student to reach that milestone. He underwent physical therapy while
in Charlotte because he needed to build up his strength − enough to be able to do everyday things like hold up
a spoon or walk.
The gift of LIFE 3
4. Even in their darkest days, Tammy and Michael were sure that doctors would do everything they could to
make sure Will had a long and healthy life.
"My faith was just that strong," Michael said. "God brought him here for a reason. He wasn't done with him."
But nothing is guaranteed. William still has to be careful because his immune system is not where it should be
− the doctors have to keep it suppressed so his body does not reject the new heart.
Diet and exercise are also very important. Will doesn't suffer from migraines anymore, and he can now eat
pickles and cheese and peanut butter − his favorite snacks.
His doctors gave him a clean bill of health during a recent checkup in Charlotte. William was gaining height
and weight, a sign of good health. At one point during his monthlong hospital stay, he weighed 70 pounds.
"I don't remember half of it," William said. "I don't even remember going down (to Charlotte). I remember
going up to the high school, telling someone that we were leaving. But I don't even remember getting on the
interstate."
That's been a blessing for Tammy and Michael, who wish the memory lapse could extend to them. A year out,
the couple can't talk about it without experiencing some of the anguish over again.
William can only sit back and listen to his parents recall the long, difficult and scary journey that ended thanks
to another family's priceless gift.
The Bartletts have not met the family of the donor teen, and they won't unless the family requests it. But
Tammy said their son will always live on in William.
"We wouldn't have (William) today if it wasn't for him."
W
To make a contribution
Tammy and Michael Bartlett have set up at fund to help pay for William's medical bills. Send donations to the
William Bartlett Heart Fund at P.O. Box 2865, Asheville, NC 28802.
How to become a donor
To become a donor, request that a heart symbol be placed on your license at the Department of Motor
Vehicles or register with the Donate Life North Carolina donor registry at www.donate lifenc.org.
The red heart on a license indicates legal consent for the donation of organs and corneas/eyes after the person
dies. It does not include tissue donation.
If you register online, you can choose which organs or tissues to donate as well as how the organs can be
used.
Organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys and small intestines. Tissues that
can be donated include skin, bone, corneas, heart valves and veins.
The gift of LIFE 4
5. One of the most important things people can do is make sure their family knows their wishes regarding
donation.
Source: Donate Life North Carolina
Margaret Hester/mhester@citizen−times.comWilliam Bartlett, 16, listens as his family tells the
story of his heart transplant. William and his family received the gift of life last Christmas when
Caption:
then 15−year−old William received a heart transplant. This year they plan to celebrate
Christmas to the fullest.
Publication: The Asheville Citizen−Times
Section: News
Source: Staff
Edition: Main
Page: 1
Book: A
Byline: Sandra V. Rodriguez
From: STAFF
Day:Saturday
The gift of LIFE 5