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November 11, 2024 – DMH Memorial Health and HSHS St Marys Hospital are raising awareness about Organ Donation.
According to Gift of Hope, more than 100,000 adults and children in the United States, including 5,000 in Illinois and Indiana, are waiting for organ transplants. A single person can save up to eight lives as an organ donor, enhance the lives of more than 25 people through tissue donation and help restore sight for two people.
DMH Memorial is hosting an information table throughout November to help raise awareness about faith-based perspectives on organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation. In the past year, 13 organ donors and 69 tissue donors have donated at Memorial Health hospitals.
An information table and a complimentary green ribbon to encourage others to “Say Yes” to organ, eye, and tissue donation will be available in the Barnes Lobby in DMH.
HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital will hold a special service to celebrate the National Donor Sabbath on Friday, Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m. in the main lobby of the hospital.
The service honors those who have donated or received organs, those still waiting on the transplant list as well as those who have passed. The service will include a blessing, candle lighting, prayers and guests from Decatur Memorial Hospital, Gift of Hope, ImpactLife and Life Goes On, the Illinois Secretary of State Organ/Tissue Donor Program, as well as local organ donation advocate Sarah Buttz.
“During Donor Sabbath, we celebrate the gift of life through organ donation, reminding our community of the profound impact each donor can have,” said Kim Menges, RN, St. Mary’s Hospital Donation Committee Chair. “By coming together to raise awareness, we can inspire individuals to give the ultimate gift. A gift that has the potential to save lives and foster hope.”
Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation and register today at www.GiftofHope.org or www.LifeGoesOn.com.
