Sharon Byers (pictured) was recognized for her 40 years of service during January’s COC Leadership Team meeting

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) living skills advisor Sharon Byers recently celebrated 40 years of service with the organization, the first employee to reach the milestone.

After volunteering at COC in just its fifth year as a school program, Byers was hired as the first workshop supervisor on Sept. 7, 1974. Byers served in that capacity for 37 years before transferring to her current position in Pella’s life skills program.

“I volunteered at COC because I wanted to be part of an organization that was known for helping people who needed support and encouragement,” Byers said. “I have stayed at COC because I have a Christian love for the people I serve. It is fulfilling to see them gain self-confidence and connect with others, all while finding and holding community jobs.”

Byers has many cherished memories in her 40 years with COC, but one is held in high regard.

In May of 1985, Gary and Matilda Vermeer financed a trip to Florida for 49 people served and 11 staff members. The trip was complete with visits to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Center and Sea World.

Byers, who spent three months helping plan the vacation, was one of the staff members on the trip. Her treasured memory is not only the trip itself, but also hearing about the joy it brought one of the persons served.

“I visited a person I served in the nursing home before he passed away,” Byers said. “Before Florida, he had never been on a vacation, let alone outside the state of Iowa. He told me the Disney World trip was the best time of his life.”

COC Executive Director Rod Braun said Byers’ time has impacted many lives.

“Forty years of service is a significant milestone and we congratulate Sharon for her dedicated service to the mission of COC,” Braun said. “She has been a blessing to hundreds of people with disabilities and to her many co-workers.”

And if you are considering working at COC, Byers would encourage you to apply.

“If you are looking for a job that will make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and will also make a difference in your life, you will get that and more at COC,” said Byers.

Byers’ service accomplishment was recognized with a reception and time of fellowship at COC’s Leadership Team’s bi-monthly meeting in January.

Founded in 1969, COC continues to provide opportunities for more than 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook and IowaCOC on Twitter.

Ruth Ann Triplett with husband Ryan, son Easton (2), daughter Ellamae (6)

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) program coordinator Ruth Ann Triplett is giving life this holiday season through PROFNAIT, a collaborative project aiming to develop a safe, new treatment that prevents excessive bleeding in fetuses and newborns.

PROFNAIT is developing a prophylactic drug from human plasma, but the plasma needs to contain certain antibodies present in women who already have given birth to a child with Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT/NAIT), a condition which may result in too few blood platelets to stop the bleeding.

As a mother who gave birth to two children (Ellamae and Easton) with the condition, Ruth Ann felt called to take action. Both children are leading happy and healthy lives, but as she learned in an online support group…not all babies are as fortunate.

“I heard about the PROFNAIT project through a Facebook support group for families affected by NAIT called ‘Naitbabies,’” Ruth Ann said. “Many babies die or are disabled due to this disease. I would do anything to help prevent this blood disorder, so I signed up.”

Plasma collection centers for this project are located in Norway, Sweden, Germany and the United States. Ruth Ann drives the three-hour round trip to Iowa’s lone donation center, Biotest in Iowa City, because she believes it may save a life.

“The blood product used to save my son’s life was made from antibodies extracted from the plasma of more than one thousand donors,” Ruth Ann said. “If you have had a baby with this condition…donate. Donate blood, donate platelets, donate plasma; all save lives.”

For more information and to find the nearest donation center visit http://www.profnait.eu/ or connect with PROFNAIT project on Facebook. To learn more about NAIT visit http://www.naitbabies.org/ or connect with Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia Support Group on Facebook.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook and IowaCOC on Twitter.