Manatee Memorial Hospital Supports National Donor Life Month in April
As a hospital committed to saving lives and fostering wellness, Manatee Memorial believes in the power of organ donation to transform tragedy into hope.
The urgency of organ donation
Every day, many individuals face life-threatening illnesses that can only be cured through organ transplantation. Currently there are over 103,000 patients on the national transplant waiting list, and 5,100 of those individuals reside in Florida. On average, 17 people die every day in the United States because an organ was not available in time.*
"Organ donation offers a second chance to people with organ failure, life-threatening diseases or injuries,” said Susan Blatt, BS, BSN, RN, Director of Critical Care Services at Manatee Memorial Hospital. “It is life-saving and life-changing for so many. For our families, their loved ones are at the end of their lives. Most times, the decision to donate gives the family a sense of peace that their loved ones will live on, in a way, in another.”
Manatee Memorial Hospital steps up to the plate
Manatee Memorial understands that education and awareness can help save more lives, so supporting Organ Donation Month and encouraging others to register their donation decision throughout the year is important. With collaboration from LifeLink, a Florida-based organization that facilitates the recovery of organs and tissue for transplantation, the hospital participates in National Donate Life Month every April. The promotion includes the raising of the Donate Life flag in honor of all donors. The hospital also has an honor walk, with family permission, for every donor before their organs are harvested.
“Manatee Memorial Hospital has been a longtime participant in this national campaign, and over the last nine years has been awarded one silver and eight platinum awards for their outstanding efforts to encourage organ and tissue donation awareness and donor registration among their staff and community,” said Ashley Moore, manager of Public Affairs at LifeLink Foundation.
Organ donation and transplantation saves thousands of lives each year. Someone you care about could be in need. With their donation after death, one donor can save up to eight lives, restore sight and heal burn and wound victims.
Donors are SuperStars!
This year’s Donate Life Month theme and artwork, “Donors are SuperStars!” was inspired by the night sky and the billions of stars that make up the universe. Each star shines bright, reminding us that even on the darkest night, there is light and hope.
A mural based on the theme is being showcased in multiple campaigns to share the life-saving message of donation with hospital partners, driver license offices, LifeLink staff, volunteers and local communities. Manatee Memorial was honored to once again be chosen as a Chalk Mural reception site courtesy of LifeLink. At the unveiling of the mural, created by artist Hilary Frambes, several members of the hospital’s administration, as well as Stroke Unit and Emergency Department personnel, were on hand to celebrate. The mural was placed at the main lobby entrance.
Watch this video to see how the mural was created.
Live donors are needed too
Currently, someone may donate one kidney or a partial liver to help save a life while living. “If you become a living donor, you can keep an organ recipient from waiting while continuing to get sick and let someone else on the waiting list get the next organ, saving two lives,” added Moore. “You could even save someone you know.”
*Source: United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)