Celebrating National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month; a time to celebrate those who have saved lives through the gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Events hosted locally, regionally, and nationally focus on raising awareness about donation and encouraging people to register their wish to save lives.

On Friday, April 13, Valley Medical Center and LifeCenter Northwest will raise the “Donate Life” flag in recognition of the national celebration of life along with donation partners SightLife and LifeNet Health. The event takes place at Valley Medical Center at 12 pm and will include staff and leadership from each organization.

“Donate Life Month allows us to reflect on the importance of our role in helping to educate and encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors, and to honor those who have given life to others,” said Theresa Braungardt, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services at Valley Medical Center. “Ensuring our patients wishes for organ donation are always supported is an important part of our mission at Valley. Our partnership and collaboration with LifeCenter Northwest allows us to accomplish this mission in a patient and family centered, healing environment.”

Last year marked a milestone for organ donation with more than 34,000 organ transplants performed across the U.S. In our region alone, 246 organ donors provided a second chance at life to 742 individuals. However, the need is still great. Across the nation, there are more than 115,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant including nearly 2,500 individuals in LifeCenter’s designated service area of Alaska, Montana, North Idaho, and Washington.

“Most importantly, the gifts of donation provide hope in what can feel like a hopeless situation,” Braungardt added. “For that, it is important to honor our donors and donor families for the courageous and selfless giving that allows others to live.

For more information, or to register to be a donor, visit: www.lcnw.org