Beckley and Summers County ARH Hospitals to host flag raising ceremonies in honor of National Donate Life Month

BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Beckley and Summers County ARH Hospitals will celebrate National Donate Life Month this week with flag raising ceremonies at each location.

The ceremony at Beckley ARH will take place April 16 at 11 a.m. It will include an invocation from hospital chaplains as well as a welcome from hospital COO Beau Masterson and remarks from Lauren Stone from CORE (Center for Organ Recovery & Education).

Summersville resident Anne Johnson, who received a kidney from her brother Kevin Johnson in 1981, will share her story.

A similar event is scheduled for April 17 at 11 a.m., at Summers County ARH Hospital with an invocation followed by a welcome from ARH West Virginia Region Chief Nursing Officer Angela Rivera and remarks from Stone.

Glen Morgan resident Jess Ward, who received a kidney donation this year, will serve as the speaker.
Both ceremonies will take place in the hospital lobbies before moving outside for a flag raising.
Kelly Elkins, ARH Regional Community & Development Manager, said the events are designed to recognize organ donation recipients and thank those who have shared the gift of life. Elkins said she encourages members of the public to attend the events and to take time to learn more about organ donation.
“We hope people join us as we honor recipients and also thank those who have generously and selflessly donated so that someone else may live,” she said. “Ultimately, we hope to encourage others to do the same.”

According to statistics provided CORE, more than 100,000 people in the United States are awaiting an organ transplant. Of those, approximately 500 are from West Virginia.

For information on becoming an organ donor, visit www.core.org/register .