Hospital associates gathered recently for a flag raising at OhioHealth Berger Hospital to celebrate Donate Life Month in partnership with Lifeline of Ohio, part of a slate of events across the nation that bring awareness to the importance of organ, eye and tissue donations each April.
“What donation means to many of our donor families is indescribable,” said Jessie Borden, Lifeline of Ohio donation program coordinator. “To watch your loved one continue to impact the world years after they are gone is priceless. Hospitals like Berger give families the opportunity to turn a tragedy into something positive and that is very healing.”
OhioHealth Berger Hospital has partnered with Lifeline of Ohio for over a decade.
Gwen Moore, whose daughter Katie became an organ donor when she passed away six years ago, spoke at last Tuesday’s event about her family’s experiences.
“It helped us through our grief process,” said Moore. “During the donation process, healthcare and Lifeline staff treated her with dignity and as a human being. What that meant to us as a family is indescribable. My daughter had a complicated past, but when she left the hospital that day, she was a hero.”
OhioHealth Berger President Casey Liddy added, “Our affiliation with Lifeline of Ohio embodies our commitment to fostering hope and healing within our community. Donate Life Month is a time of advocacy and education and it offers us the opportunity to honor those in our communities who have given the gift of life to others.”
According to Borden:
One organ donor can save eight lives.One tissue donor can heal more than 75 people.One placenta donor provides 25 grafts used to heal surgery site and other wounds.In Ohio, there are over 3,100 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
In addition to the flag raising ceremony, the hospital installed a pinwheel garden in remembrance of donors receiving care at Berger.
Community members can register to be a donor at www.registerme.org .
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