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| Vol. 23, No. 9 |
| May 15, 2001 |
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Celebrating Life Celebrating life and honoring organ donors, LifeGift Organ Donation Center and the Heart Exchange Support Group observed National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week at an April 18 ceremony at the Harris County Courthouse Annex. Sam Holtzman, CEO of LifeGift, discussed the growing list of patients needing organ transplants and the medical community's important role in organ donation. He presented Memorial Hermann Hospital with the Gift of Life award for managing the strongest organ donation program in the country. "Memorial Hermann Hospital and its staff have demonstrated great leadership and support of bringing the gift of life to thousands of patients desperately waiting for organ transplants," said Holtzman. Last year, Memorial Hermann Hospital was named the top organ-donation hospital in the country. Fifty-one organ donors donated 160 organs for transplantation in 2000. The hospital's success is based on its teamwork and cooperation with LifeGift. "Memorial Hermann is committed to saving lives and providing LifeGift the support needed to connect organ donors with patients waiting for transplants," said Dan Wilford, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. "I am honored to accept the Gift of Life award on behalf of the team of medical professionals at Memorial Hermann Hospital." The Lamar High School band performed the national anthem, while the Army color guard presented the colors. A banner that read, "Organ and Tissue Donors Save Lives," flew over the crowd after the presentation. LifeGift supporters also unveiled the first license plate that increases awareness about the need for organ donation. The license plate features a green ribbon and reads, "Give Life. Be An Organ Donor." Motorists can purchase the organ donation license plate from Harris County Tax Assessor offices by paying the standard registration fee and an additional $25 for the specialized plates. More than 75,000 people are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list. LifeGift Organ Donation Center is a federally designated, not-for-profit organ procurement organization appointed to serve Harris and 29 other Southeast Texas counties. The center has generated a 51 percent increase in organ donors during the last six years. "The main reason families decline to donate a loved one's organs is because of uncertainty of the deceased's wishes," said Kimberly Davis, managing director for LifeGift Organ Donation Center's southeast region. "I urge Houstonians to discuss their wishes regarding organ donation with their families." "If you want to become an organ donor, tell your family," added Holtzman. "One donor can give the gift of life to 30 people through organ and tissue donation. Sharing your decision to be a donor will give your family peace of mind and touch the lives of many people." For more information about organ and tissue donation and free donor cards, call LifeGift Organ Donation Center at (713) 523-GIFT (4438).
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