Allegheny Health Network Raises Awareness for Organ Donation during National Donate Life Month

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Press Releases allegheny-general-hospital

PITTSBURGH - As part of National Donate Life Month, observed annually in April to drive awareness about the importance of organ, tissue and cornea donations, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) will host several celebrations throughout the month at hospitals across its footprint. The network will kick off its series of 'Donate Life Month' events next Monday, April 1^st with a flag raising ceremony at AHN's Allegheny General Hospital (AGH).

In addition to AGH, AHN will host flag raising ceremonies at 10 other hospitals, including Allegheny Valley, Canonsburg, Forbes, Grove City, Jefferson, West Penn, Wexford and Harmar in the Greater Pittsburgh region and at Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie. Each will feature inspiring stories of organ donation and will help to educate hospital staff, patients, visitors and the broader community about the importance of donation.

According to the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), over 100,000 people across the nation are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. One person can save the lives of as many as eight people through organ donation and heal the lives of as many as 75 people through tissue donation.

Since completing its first organ transplant in 1987, AHN has remained committed to providing lifesaving care to transplant candidates. Last year, AHN saved or improved lives through organ, tissue and cornea donations thanks to the generous gifts of 369 donors across its hospitals.

"While we honor organ donors and celebrate transplant recipients every day, Donate Life Month gives us the special opportunity each year to come together as a community to pause and reflect on the true heroism in organ donation," said Reem Daloul, MD, nephrologist and medical director of the living donor kidney transplant program at AHN. "It also shines a light on the outstanding dedication among our caregivers and staff who work tirelessly to provide our living donors and recipient patients with the highest quality care."

AHN hospitals will also invite employees to participate in various activities to help further spread awareness throughout the month. On 'Step Up and Give a Hand Day' on April 8^th, employees can put a colorful handprint on a display and pledge their support for organ donation. On Friday, April 12^th, as part of 'National Donate Life Blue and Green Day,' AHN team members will wear blue and green attire to showcase their support for donation. Blue and green lights will illuminate many of the network's facilities including the spire at Highmark Health's Fifth Avenue Place.

"During National Donate Life Month, we celebrate the power of organ, tissue, and cornea donation to save and heal lives. The collaboration between CORE and our hospitals partners, including AHN, resulted in more than 900 life-saving organ transplants in 2023," said Susan Stuart, President & CEO of CORE. "Above all, this month is a tribute to the selfless donors and their families whose generous decision to give the gift of life has brought hope and healing to so many."

Media and the public are invited to the following flag raising ceremonies taking place across AHN:

· AHN Allegheny General Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, April 1 at 10:30 a.m.; Donor

Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m.

· AHN West Penn Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m.

· AHN Wexford Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Tuesday, April 2 at 9:30 a.m.

· AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Wednesday, April 3 at 11:00 a.m.

· AHN Harmar Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday, April 4 at 11:00 a.m.

· AHN Forbes Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Friday, April 5 at 11:00 a.m.

· AHN Jefferson Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m.

· AHN Grove City Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m.

· AHN Canonsburg Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, April 22 at 1:00 p.m.

· AHN Saint Vincent Hospital: Flag Raising Ceremony on Friday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m.

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