ECU Health Medical Center held its annual Pause to Give Life event on April 1, highlighting the significance of organ, eye, and tissue donation through personal stories and community recognition.
The event underscored the ongoing need for donors in eastern North Carolina, where many patients are waiting for life-saving transplants. The observance included a flag-raising ceremony by ECU Health Police officers and a moment of silence at 10:08 a.m., symbolizing that one donor can save eight lives. More than 3,000 patients across North Carolina are currently awaiting transplants.
Daneilya Whitney shared her experience donating bone marrow to her mother after she was diagnosed with acute leukemia in October 2022. Whitney said she did not hesitate when tests showed she was a match. “I think more people should donate and know that recovery is fine,” Whitney said. “I was strong doing it with four small children, and I recovered in no time. I hope everyone feels the urge to register as a donor.” She added that her mother has fully recovered following the transplant.
Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center, said last year there were 31 organ donors, 76 tissue donors, and 75 eye donors at the hospital. The center also performed 96 cornea transplants and eight full globe transplants. “It is a joy to have everyone gather for a few minutes to take a mindful pause and reflect on something that is such an important part of what we do,” Briley said.
Cynthia Stone, director of Transplant and Dialysis Services at ECU Health, highlighted how donations transform lives: “Patients come back to life,” Stone said. “They go from being tied to a dialysis machine three times a week for four hours at a time to being back at work, to being parents or grandparents.” She noted an increase in registered donors but emphasized continued need—564 patients in eastern North Carolina await kidney donations.
ECU Health serves as a model for rural health care delivery across eastern North Carolina through its nonprofit integrated system consisting of hospitals, clinics, physician practices according to the official website. The network includes an academic medical center with two campuses alongside eight community hospitals as well as outpatient clinics and wellness centers according to the official website. With over 1.4 million people served in 29 counties by more than 1,100 providers across more than 185 clinics at over 110 locations according to the official website, ECU Health aims to enhance health through patient-focused care programs according to the official website.
As Donate Life Month continues throughout April nationwide under initiatives like Pause to Give Life participants are encouraged both locally and statewide learn about donation options or register as organ donors.
