BUCKHANNON, WV – WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital recognized National Donate Life Month with a flag-raising and presentation for CORE, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education.  Through commitment to donation, last year WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital had 6 tissue donors, healing up to 525 lives, and 4 cornea donors, giving sight to eight individuals.

Prior to the flag-raising, a ceremony was held with speakers that included Jeremy Zeiders, the PSL/Donor Family Supports Coordinator for CORE, and donor recipient Joseph Malcolm who spoke about his journey waiting for and receiving an organ transplant.

Nationally, approximately 100,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant, and at least 17 people will die each day without receiving the transplant they so desperately need. Someone is added to the national organ transplant list every 10 minutes, but registering to become an organ, tissue, and cornea donor takes less than one minute. One organ donor can save up to 8 lives, and one tissue donor can help more than 75 people.

All major religions support donation as a final act of compassion and generosity. Anyone can be a potential organ donor regardless of age, race, or medical history. Donors can place the designation on their driver’s license or state identification card when they receive or renew their license or ID.  You can also register at registerme.org/wvumedicine.  To learn more, visit core.org.