Kane, Andrea (59 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With deep gratitude, I acknowledge those who were an integral part
of my writing
Scent of Danger.

I was fortunate to have outstanding consultants who helped me
create the authenticity I strove for. Any divergence from that authenticity is
my responsibility—a literary license I sparingly availed myself of only when
necessary to tell the story.

In that vein, I specifically want to thank:

Hillel Ben-Asher, M.D., whose medical knowledge and diversity of
expertise never fail to impress me. Almost as impressive are his patience in
sharing that knowledge, and his prompt and thorough responses to my countless
detailed questions.

Desiree Laz, RN, Clinical Transplant Coordinator, Department of
Surgery, Albany Medical Center Hospital, who educated me in the kidney
transplant process, taking me through the procedure from evaluation to
completion, addressing all my questions. Her personal commitment to her career,
her patients, and the future of transplant surgery is humbling.

Randy Slaughter, who generously shared his experience as a kidney
donor with me, providing me with technical information, literature, and his own
perspectives so that I could gain the necessary insights to integrate the
medical aspects of this procedure with the personal and emotional ones.

Alex Senchak, EMT, who brought the world of an emergency medical
technician to life, explaining his training and experience, and helping me
convey a realistic portrayal of a gunshot victim. Emergency medical teams save
lives every day. The maturity, wisdom, and levelheadedness of its members, some
of whom are so young, is inspiring.

I want to thank the following people for their contributions,
every one of which made
Scent of Danger
a stronger book:

Scott Mayer, for his meteorological insights, Which helped me
explain the atmospheric conditions that aggravated Sabrina's heightened
olfactory sense.

The Cornell "hotelies" who shared curriculum details and
the vast range of career opportunities available to Sabrina, and to them, after
graduation.

Peggy Gordijn, for her bird's-eye view of Mt. Sinai Hospital,
particularly 11 West. My only request is that, next time, she's just a visitor.

Andrea Cirillo, for championing me through a year filled with
emotional and professional challenges, for knowing when to step in and when to
give me space, and for providing a potpourri of story-enhancing tidbits— from
the security bars on brownstone windows to designer toilets.

Caroline Tolley, for a twelve-year partnership, an enduring
friendship, and more memories than I can fit on a page. Thanks for believing in
me from day one, and never wavering in that belief. The Smith and Wo's scene is
my tribute to you, from appetizer to dessert.

Brad Kane, management consultant extraordinaire, incomparable
brainstorming partner, and one-of-a-kind support system that defies words. No
matter how many years go by, you're still the greatest guy in the world.

Wendi Kane, for going but still staying, for cheering and
critiquing, and for having the heart, the wisdom, and the maturity to
understand that reshaping is inevitable, but retaining is the ultimate prize.

I want to close by highlighting the fact that there is a serious
shortage of organ donors at this time. Some eighty thousand people are on
waiting lists, and that list grows longer every day. March is Kidney Month. I
urge you to visit the National Kidney Foundation's website at:
http://www.kidney.org
and learn more about kidney disease, what's being done to educate the public,
what the Kidney Foundation does to assist those in need, and what you can do to
help.