RICHLAND, WASH. – Kadlec Regional Hospital is raising a flag to commemorate National Donate Life Month. The flag will fly above the Richland hospital throughout April.
National Donate Life Month, established by Donate Life America, aims to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors. The initiative focuses on bridging the gap between those on the waitlist for organ transplants and the available organs.
“It’s an oppertunity, I think, to just make the community aware that this is an important thing that we can do for others,” said Dr. Melinda Tonelli.
According to LifeCenter Northwest, 2,000 people across the region are currently in need of organ transplants, and 13 of those on the waitlists die every day.
“For organ donations specifically, there’s over 100,000 people on national transplant waitlist,” shared Hospital Development Program Manager with LifeCenter Northwest, Laurie Rost. “Unfortunately, there’s people passing each day waiting for these life-saving gifts.”
LifeCenter states that one person who chooses to donate their organs can save up to eight lives.
For more information about organ donation, visit the Donate Life America website.
