From left (front row): Alison Smith-Conway, Tracy O Connor, Earl Bakken, Claudia Tecglen; (back row): Bruce Harper, Arthur Ammann, Jennifer Jones, George Dove, Sara Meslow, Jean-Paul Iyamuremye, Ed Levien. (Photo courtesy of Bakken Invitation)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

The brainchild of Big Island resident Earl Bakken, the Bakken Invitation asked people around the world, “What are doing with your ‘extra’ life?”

About 400 people replied and told their personal stories of how they have benefited from a medical device and how they are using their ‘extra life’ to give back and help others – how they living on and giving on.

The first class of 10 Bakken Invitation honorees were welcomed to the Big Island for a long weekend of celebration, complete with field trips and a gala dinner with Bakken himself. Each of the honorees was recognized for the significant contributions they are making in their communities and around the world.

At the welcome reception, members of the group had an opportunity to meet each other and learn their stories – cardiac arrest, diabetes, chronic pain, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury.

They also shared how they turned their journeys into something positive by creating programs to educate children about diabetes, train service dogs for injured military veterans, prevent HIV in women and children, mentor children about school violence and unethical behavior, alleviate poverty in refugee camps and support camps for young people with heart disease.

The weekend culminated in a celebration dinner at The Fairmont Orchid with Bakken, Medtronic co-founder and Big Island philanthropist. At the dinner, each honoree was awarded a $20,000 grant from Medtronic Philanthropy for their designated charities.

“Hearing stories of how patients are giving back reminds me of the potential we have to help the world, in big or small ways,” Bakken said. “It is my hope that all patients consider the good they can do with their extra life, recognizing we all have an ability to create a social impact that goes beyond the health and vitality of one person.”

Bakken, who turns 90 early next year, also has benefitted from various medical technologies. He declared his pacemaker, coronary stents and insulin pump gave him “extra life,” which he has used to give back through substantial community involvement.

“Earl Bakken defines the Medtronic values and his spirit continues to be at the core of our company’s mission,” said Omar Ishrak, Medtronic chairman and CEO. “The inaugural class of Bakken Invitation honorees are an inspiring representation of the millions of patients, many of whom decide to give back after overcoming health challenges. We want to recognize those efforts, and inspire millions of others to join the movement.”

Medtronic Philanthropy focuses on expanding access to quality chronic disease care among underserved populations worldwide, in addition to supporting health initiatives. Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is a global leader in medical technology — alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people.

Chadd Paishon, senior captain of the Makalii, talks to the Bakken Invitation honorees. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Earlier during the weekend, the group headed to Kawaihae Harbor to learn a little about Hawaii culture and then were put to work helping re-fit the voyaging canoe Makalii.

Chadd Paishon, senior captain of the Makalii and the non-profit education organization Na Kalai Waa, drew parallels between the mission of the voyaging canoe and work the honorees are doing in their communities.

“The ocean doesn’t separate us, it connects us,” Paishon said, noting that as the group worked on the canoe, they would be leaving a part of themselves on the vessel, much as they touch so many lives with their charitable work.

After lunch, honorees climbed aboard the Makalii, which is in drydock for its annual maintenance pitstop. With squares of sandpaper in had, they began spiffing up railings along the sides of the canoe and continued chatted.

Bruce Harper, 58, of Closter, N.J., has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, but that didn’t stop the former New York Jets football player and his wife from working up a sweat and making new friends.

“It has been truly amazing to hear all these stories. I feel very privileged to be part of this,” he said. “I’m being educated and entertained and inspired. It’s so refreshing to see other people kind of in the same situation. It just makes you want to do more.”

George Dove, his sister Libby and mom Emma work on the railings of the Makalii. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Meanwhile, the youngest honoree, George Dove, 15, of Nottinghamshire, England, was scrubbing away alongside the rest of the group.

Dove, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and has an insulin pump, said he was excited to share his adventure with his mother Emma and sister, Libby, 13.

“We’re really quite looking forward to learning about Hawaii and its culture. It’s not like back home at all,” he said. “But most of all it’s nice to be here and speak with these people about their different journeys. They are quite extraordinary, definitely inspiring. It’s very humbling for me.”

The 2013 Bakken Invitation honorees are:

Tracy O’Connor, 42, Chandler, Ariz.

As the sole survivor of a multi-car accident, Tracy was left paralyzed but determined to make a difference. With a drug pump helping manage chronic intractable pain, she is a national voice for disability awareness and works with ThinkFirst to warn thousands of kids on the dangers of risky behavior.

Jean-Paul Iyamuremye, 36, Kigali, Rwanda

Slowly dying from rheumatic heart disease, Jean-Paul says he was blessed to receive the first heart valve replacement in Rwanda. Immediately following recovery, he began helping others get the care they need by organizing and managing the Rwanda Patient Care Network through Team Heart.

Bruce Harper, 58, Closter, N.J.

Having experienced sudden cardiac arrest four times, Bruce realizes the life-saving power of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This former New York Jets football player now mentors students of all ages through Heroes and Cool Kids, which he founded after his cardiac events.

George Dove, 15, Nottinghamshire, U.K.

Only 15, George has dedicated his life to helping others with Type 1 Diabetes. He says his life changed when he received an insulin pump, and he tirelessly advocates for improved access to pump therapy, traveling the globe to raise money for diabetes research through JDRF.

Jennifer Jones, 31, Roselands, Australia

Jennifer lives to help people in some of the world’s most remote and impoverished regions. With an insulin pump helping her manage Type 1 Diabetes, Jennifer co-founded the Room to Grow Foundation and has spent the past nine years in refugee camps on the Thailand/Burma border, providing food, medicine and educational opportunities to children.

Sara Meslow, 42, Lake Elmo, Minn.

Sara was first diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat at 13, and received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) when she was 29 to protect her from cardiac arrest. Her love for kids and the outdoors inspired her to open Camp Odayin, a camp for kids with heart defects.

Claudia Tecglen, 25, Madrid, Spain

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 2 years old, Claudia considers herself lucky for the opportunities she received growing up, and for the implantable intrathecal (ITB) drug pump that gives her independence from her body’s limitations. She created Convives con Espasticidad to connect and support other young people with severe spasticity, a disabling tightness of muscles.

Allison Smith-Conway, 35, Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Allison was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when she was 32. Deep brain stimulation therapy helps her manage the symptoms, but she found few resources available for people experiencing young on-set Parkinson’s. She founded Parkinson’s in Balance through the Foundation for Neurosciences, Stroke and Recovery, which offers fitness classes and support groups in her community, and connects with thousands of others through her “Perky Parkie” blog.

Edward Levien, 64, Bethesda, Md.

After losing 12 years of his life to intolerable pain, Ed found relief through neurostimulation. He has since dedicated his life to helping others suffering in pain. Through the Hero Dogs program, he trains and then donates service dogs to wounded veterans, providing soldiers with increased independence and improved quality of life.

Arthur Ammann, 76, San Rafael, Calif.

Just days after surviving sudden cardiac arrest and receiving his first pacemaker, Arthur reflected on his life and career and decided he would use his “extra time” to help improve health conditions in impoverished regions. He founded Global Strategies for HIV to meet prevention and care needs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Liberia.

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Earl Bakken’s Story

“What are you going to do with your extra life?”

Inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, patient, dreamer. Throughout his life, Bakken has used his talents to improve the world.

Born in 1924 in Minneapolis, Bakken earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota. Bakken continued his studies at the University of Minnesota Graduate School where his focus was electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics.

Bakken co-founded Medtronic, Inc. in 1949, helping millions of people, including himself, through medical technology. But outside of his work with Medtronic lies a lifetime of philanthropy and involvement within education, health care and community.

Bakken is best known for developing the first external, battery-powered, transistorized wearable pacemaker — an invention that has saved millions of lives and shaped the modern medical device industry.

Upon receiving a life-enhancing medical therapy or device, Bakken often asked patients what they planned to do with their gift of extra life. His legacy is the inspiration behind this extraordinary program, the Bakken Invitation. He invites patients to share stories as a way to inspire other medical device recipients to give back with their extra life.

In the 20 plus years since he officially “retired” from Medtronic, Bakken hasn’t slowed down. He continues to give back to society and his community with new ideas, projects and programs.

Here are a few organizations that Bakken has helped foster and grow.

* The Bakken Library & Museum
* Pavek Museum of Broadcasting
* North Hawaii Community Hospital
* Five Mountains Hawaii
* Friends of the Future
* The Kohala Center
* Na Kalai Waa Moku O Hawaii
* Imiloa: Astronomy Center of Hawaii

— Find out more:
http://bakkeninvitation.medtronic.com
www.medtronic.com