More than 103,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, including nearly 3,000 here in Georgia.  An average of 17 people die every day nationwide while waiting for an organ.  To highlight the need for organ donors, Phoebe held a Donate Life flag raising ceremony on its main campus Wednesday afternoon. 

“By saying ‘yes’ to organ and tissue donation, you can save and enhance the lives of people in need of lifesaving transplants, and we encourage you to register as an organ donor,” said Deb Angerami, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital CEO.  

The flag raising ceremony was held at 1:08 p.m., highlighting the fact that one organ donor can save up to eight lives.  One tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 75 people.

Phoebe Chaplain Rev. Joey Holland spoke about his personal connection to organ donation.  In January 2020, his son, Jim, attempted to take his own life and his brain was left in a state that doctors explained was incompatible with life.  In their shock and grief, the family was not in an emotional state to make a clear decision about whether to donate Jim’s organs, but Jim’s military identification indicated that he had chosen to be an organ donor. 

“That lifted a burden for me and my family because Jim had already made the decision.  The weight was off my shoulders, and I hope one day I get to meet the three people who live today because of Jim,” Rev. Holland said.

Phoebe ensures that doctors and nurses are trained to recognize opportunities for referrals to Lifelink of Georgia, the hospital’s partner organ procurement organization.  Last year, those referrals led to 13 tissue donors and four organ donors with eight total organs donated.

“We recognize the selfless act of organ donation and honor it.  We grieve with the families that have lost a loved one and wrap them in the comfort of a promise that this season of grieving will serve a purpose.  Someone else will be given the gift of life because of the selflessness of their loved one,” said Mallory Brents, BSN, Phoebe Manager of Medical ICU.

More than 46,000 organ transplants were performed in the U.S. last year, and total kidney transplants exceeded 27,000 for the first time.  You can indicate your wish to be an organ donor on your driver’s license or other official government identification.  You can also visit www.donatelifegeorgia.org to officially register as an organ donor. 

The Donate Life flag will fly at Phoebe for the remainder of April which is National Donate Life Month.