Celebration Kicks Off With Rose Ceremony March 31

You may never have the chance to rescue someone from a burning building, but you can still save lives. One easy way to become a hero is to register as an organ donor.

April is Donate Life Month, a celebration dedicated to promoting the importance of organ donation. The Donate Life flag will fly in front of the hospital’s main entrance for the entire month, beginning with the annual rose ceremony on March 31.

You can sign up to become a registered organ donor on April 18 and 19 in the main hospital lobby. Volunteers will also be there to educate patients, employees and families, and answer common questions about organ donation.

Encouraging your loved ones to become organ donors is another way to have an impact.

“Talk to your patients and family members about organ donation whenever you can,” said Jami Lyska, Hartford Hospital’s in-house coordinator for LifeChoice Donor Services. “You can start a donation culture by making sure everyone knows that organ donation is important to you and asking them to sign up as soon as they are able.”

Already a registered donor? Show your support for the cause by signing up for a vanity license plate. The Department of Motor Vehicles needs 400 orders before they will begin offering Donate Life vanity plates to the public, so every plate counts. Contact Jami at 860.972.0620 or Jami.Tyska@hhchealth.org for more information.

Did you know?

  • Less than 1% of the population is able to donate, so it’s important for as many people to sign up as possible
  • Out of 1,200 patient deaths each year at Hartford Hospital, only 15 people are able to donate
  • Anyone can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor—regardless of age, race or medical history
  • An individual’s donation status does not affect medical care. The first priority of medical professionals is to save lives
  • All major religions in the United States support donation and view it as a final act of love and generosity
  • There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ, eye or tissue donation
  • The donor and family are treated with the utmost care, respect and dignity throughout the process
  • A living donor can also save lives by donating a kidney or a part of the liver, intestine, lung or pancreas