Flag raising marks Donate Life Month

April marks the 19th annual National Donate Life Month, a celebration commemorating those who have given the gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation.

UHS is partnering with the Center for Donation & Transplant, to observe National Donate Life month by spreading awareness within our organization and community about the importance of registering as an organ and tissue donor. We all have the power to save livers by registering.

On Monday, April 11. a flag raising took place at UHS Wilson Medical Center in honor of National Donate Life Month. The flags will fly through the remainder of April.

People of any age can make a powerful difference in someone’s life by being a donor. Donation saves and heals lives every day, but it can only happen when someone makes the important decision to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. You can make that lifesaving difference by registering your decision at www.cdtnyvt.org

More than 100,000 people are currently awaiting a lifesaving transplant, and sadly, an average of 17 patients die every day, because the organ they needed was not donated in time. More people donate every year, but every 9 minutes someone is added to the transplant waiting list.

If you donated your organs, you could save up to 8 lives. If you donated your corneas, you could restore sight to 2 people. If you donated your tissue and bone, you could heal the lives of up to 75 people.

It is important to remember that organ donation is not just about the recipients. It is also about helping families who are grieving the loss of a loved one, supporting those families, and providing them the opportunity to do something positive at a time when so much has gone wrong in their lives. The staff at UHS has always been fully committed to supporting and nurturing these grief stricken families, and making the option of donation a positive experience for them.

Look for volunteers from The Center for Donation & Transplant and ConnectLife this month at UHS Hospitals. Come and see them and register to be a donor, or just say “hello” and get more info.  

UHS encourage everyone to wear blue and green on Friday April 22nd in observance of National Donate Life Month.