Activities to Raise Awareness and Register More Organ, Tissue, and Cornea Donors
Bridgeport, WV — Nationally, more than 100,000 people are waiting for an organ
transplant, including 2,500 people 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.
United Hospital Center (UHC) is pleased to join the Center for Organ Recovery &
Education (CORE) to raise awareness about organ, tissue, and cornea donation, and to
inspire everyone during Donate Life Month to register to be an organ donor. On
Thursday, March 28, UHC held its flag raising event to recognize the impact of organ
donation.
"During National Donate Life Month, we celebrate the power of organ, tissue, and
cornea donation to save and heal lives. We recognize the successful collaborations
between CORE and the hospitals in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, that have
resulted in more than 900 life-saving organ transplants in 2023,” said Susan Stuart,
President & CEO of CORE. "But, above all, this month is a tribute to the selfless donors
and their families whose generous decision to give the gift of life has brought hope and
healing to those close to home and far away.”
"As a health system, we stand in a unique position to not just attend to the health of our
patients but to ignite a powerful inspiration within our community, urging them to
embrace wellness in every dimension of life," said David F. Hess, MD, CEO and
president of UHC. "The greater number of individuals we can motivate to become organ
donors, the more profoundly we fulfill our mission as passionate advocates for the
holistic well-being of our entire community."
Some important facts about organ, tissue, and cornea donation:
Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race or medical history.
With more than 90,000 people across the nation awaiting a kidney, it is the organ
in greatest demand, followed by liver, heart and lungs.
Because conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are often more prevalent
in the multicultural community, these individuals make up more than 50 percent
of those on the national organ transplant list.
Individuals are encouraged to talk with family members and friends about registering as
a donor. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and a tissue donor can improve the
lives of more than 100 others. To sign up, visit core.org/register.