On Wednesday, April 10, Saint Mary’s conducted a colleague Donate Life - Blue & Green Day Walk. Wearing blue and green, colleagues gathered in front of the hospital for a group picture before walking together around the hospital building in recognition of National Donate Life Month.
Observed in April each year, Donate Life Month helps raise awareness about donation, encourages Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors, and honors those that have saved lives through their gift of donation. During this time, colleagues and staff who work closely with patients, families, and the organ donation community were recognized.
Later in the day, Saint Mary’s held a Donate Life Flag Raising Ceremony to honor organ donors, their families, and friends, as well as our caring and committed professionals. The ceremony, titled So Hope Will Live, was a poignant reminder of the life-changing gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation.
National Donate Life Month was established in 2003. According to Donate Life America, more than 46,000 organ transplants from 23,000 donors brought new life to patients and their families in 2023. In that same year, nearly 5,000 people died while on the transplant waiting list. One donor has the ability to save up to eight lives.