Tag Archives: tissue donor

Valerie’s Gift

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ValerieValerie is deeply missed by her friends and family. She was her families “greatest joy”. Her family lost Valerie in a tragic accident just days before her High School Graduation. Her Father, Johnny, shares her story with us:

“She has encouraged many to think about life and all we have to offer and that even after we have passed we can make miracles happen for many people that may need a transplant.

Now, with each and every one of Valerie’s tissue grafts that is transplanted, Valerie is able to reach one more of her goals.”

Read the entire story on the Wall of Life page.

    April is Donate Life Month

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    DaffodilsThis April we’re celebrating the 11th Annual Donate Life month. Each year, the month of April is set aside to not only share the stories of generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors and their families; but to also honor the lives of those who have given and received. In addition, this special month provides us an opportunity to renew our commitment to saving and improving lives.

    Surveys across the nation show that more than 80% of Americans want to be an organ or tissue donor. However, 42.7 percent of individuals age 18 and older have registered to be organ, eye and tissue donors. An important goal for all of us at FiftyLives is to continue to educate the community on the importance of tissue donation so that families can make informed decisions about the options of donation.

    What can you do to help promote the importance of being a registered donor?

    First: Don’t keep your decision to be a tissue donor a secret. Tell your family and friends about your decision. Talk about the importance of registering at every opportunity. Share information with them to help answer their questions.

    Second: Utilize these resources that have been made available to help spread the word about the importance of being a registered tissue donor:

    • Use one of our Social Media badges. Update your Facebook photo with one of these badges, or simply post one to your timeline.
    • Help others to understand tissue donation by providing them with a link to our “How we Help” Interactive Experience on our website.
    • Encourage everyone with questions to seek answers. Suggest they comment on this blog post, or reach out to us on our Facebook page. Either way, you have our assurance, we will do whatever we can to help provide information to help answer their questions.
    • On Friday, April 19, it’s National Wear your Blue and Green Day. Be sure to save your blue and green clothing to wear as an outward sign to show your support for organ and tissue donors.
    • Bake cookies, cupcakes or a cake — frost with blue and green icing; then share with your coworkers. It’s a simple way to bring up the importance of being a registered donor.

    What do you have planned for this month? Share your tips and ideas with us here.

    Together we can make a difference.

      New on the Wall of Life: Carolyn’s Story

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      Robert’s love for his wife Carolyn is poignantly evident in the story of her life on our “Wall of Life.” Her tissue donation helped 41 other people. Robert writes:

      Carolyn was a daughter, sister, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, friend, athlete, housekeeper, cook, secretary, caregiver and devout Catholic.

      She was the oldest of two children born to Gilbert and Mary in the coal country of central Pennsylvania, a coal miner’s daughter who with her family, migrated to Ohio at the age of four. As the coal mines began to slow down, her parents sought more steady work. Factories in the Midwest were expanding as our country entered World War II. 

      Read the entire story on the Wall of Life page.