Celebrating organ, eye & tissue donation in April

National Donate Life Month is a time to educate about organ, eye, and tissue donation, and to honor and remember donors and the lives they have saved and healed. Your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor gives hope to the 100,000 people on the national organ transplant waiting list who are waiting for a second chance at life.

Locally, Knox Community Hospital is raising awareness of this topic by encouraging staff to wear blue and green on Friday, April 10, in observance of Donate Life Month. A donor registration table will be in the Main Hospital cafeteria and the Wright Family Medical Pavilion on Friday, April 17, as well as a flag-raising ceremony in front of the main hospital at 9:15 a.m. on April 9, with representatives from both KCH and Lifeline of Ohio attending.

“Organ donation is one of the most profound gifts a person can give. In rural communities like ours, where neighbors know and care for one another, the spirit of giving is part of who we are. When someone chooses to register as an organ donor, they are offering hope, healing, and a second chance at life to people and their families who are facing one of life's most difficult challenges. At KCH, we come together every day to provide care and compassion to our community. Donate Life represents that same commitment - turning loss into legacy and ensuring that lives can be saved and futures restored,” says Erika Bjork, director of Case Management at KCH.

Anyone can be a donor, regardless of age, race, or medical history. A medical evaluation will take place at the time of death, so don’t rule yourself out of saving and healing lives. If you would like to register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor, go to lifelineofohio.org/