OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center, Lifeline of Ohio Hold Donate Life Flag-Raising Ceremony
To mark National Donate Life Month, OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center teamed up with Lifeline of Ohio for a special flag-raising event aimed at encouraging organ donor sign ups and honoring those who have given and received the gift of life.
Heather Watkins, an emergency department nurse and the hospital’s liaison with Lifeline of Ohio, led the ceremony held at the hospital entrance, where the Donate Life flag now waves. The event brought together hospital staff, community members and organ donation advocates to reflect on the importance of registering as organ, eye and tissue donors.
“Right now, thousands of individuals are waiting for a second chance,” said Wendy Elliot, president of Southeastern Medical Center. “By registering as a donor and spreading awareness, we can make that hope a reality. I challenge each of you to become a registered donor. Let us fly this flag as a beacon of hope, love and generosity. May it inspire conversations, encourage actions and honor all those involved who make these gifts of life possible."
Following a prayer led by hospital chaplain Nate Womack, Dean Fairchild shared his transplant story. Nearly eight years ago, Fairchild came to Southeastern Med with chest pain. Doctors diagnosed him with ventricular tachycardia, a life-threatening condition that led to the placement of a pacemaker and, eventually, his addition to the national transplant waiting list.
Weeks later, a match was found. The heart came from a man named Jon Reasoner. Since the transplant, Fairchild has made the most of every moment, riding ATVs in Puerto Rico, water skiing in the ocean, getting married on a cruise ship and dancing at his wedding.
“At every chance I get, I say a quiet thank you to Jon for the life-changing gift,” he told the crowd.
April Lopez, a donation program coordinator with Lifeline of Ohio, also spoke about the need for more registered donors. Right now, nearly 3,000 people in Ohio and more than 100,000 across the country are waiting for life-saving transplants.
"Last year, we saw a record number of placentas donated through Lifeline of Ohio's Placenta Donation Program,” Lopez said. “A total of 737 placentas helped create around 18,000 healing gifts. Eleven generous donors were from [Southeastern Medical Center]. Behind the numbers are generous donors with their own life stories. Stories that can now continue through the lives of many grateful recipients."
To learn more about becoming a registered organ donor, visit lifelineofohio.org.
Original article published in The Guernsey News.
