WVU Medicine celebrates Donate Life Month

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Nationally, 115,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant, including 2,500 in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. At least 20 will die each day without receiving the transplant they so desperately need. Someone is added to the transplant waiting list every 10 minutes.

WVU Medicine is pleased to join the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) to raise awareness about organ, tissue, and cornea donation and to inspire everyone during Donate Life Month to be a hero — to be an organ donor. Events will include Green and Blue Day on April 13, during which staff will be encouraged to wear green and blue to raise awareness for organ donation, and a Donate Life flag raising at 1 p.m. on April 20 at the Bruce McClymonds Conference Center in the southeast tower of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.

“We are proud to work with CORE in the critically important work of recovering organs, tissues, and corneas for people whose lives depend on them,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System, said. “During Donate Life Month, we encourage all of our patients and employees and those throughout the state and region to register to become an organ donor so that they, too, can save the life of someone awaiting transplant.”

“Donate Life Month provides an opportunity to remind ourselves of what heroes look like,” Susan Stuart, president and CEO of CORE, said. “They are the sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, who — through organ, tissue, and cornea donation — gave life and offered healing to others. They are the 115,000 people who are waiting for a life-saving transplant; yearning for more time with their loved ones. We also recognize the healthcare professionals, our hospital heroes, who — through their hard work, ingenuity, and compassion — provide the precious gift of life to so many in our area.”

Approximately 11,000 people who are considered medically suitable to donate organs, tissue, and corneas die annually, yet only a fraction donate. Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

To sign up, visit core.org/register.

Attention reporters and editors: If you would like to cover the Donate Life flag raising event on April 20, please confirm your attendance in advance with Heather Sammons at 304-285-7256 or heather.sammons@wvumedicine.org.