Michael Waldrum, MD, MSc, MBA Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health | ECU Health
Michael Waldrum, MD, MSc, MBA Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health | ECU Health
Each April, ECU Health and HonorBridge, an organization based in North Carolina, host events to honor and support organ donation. This year's Pause to Give Life event was held on Wednesday, April 2, at the flagpole in front of the medical center in Greenville. Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center, addressed the attendees, emphasizing the significance of honoring organ donors and raising awareness for donation.
“This morning, we recognize the strength and courage of those waiting,” Briley said. “We honor the hundreds of North Carolina donors and donor families that have so selflessly give the gift of life and healing through organ, eye and tissue donation.”
The Donate Life flag was raised by the ECU Health Police Department to honor donors, their families, and organ recipients. Those present joined in a silent tribute at 10:08 a.m., a time that signifies how one donor can save up to eight lives.
William Knight, a two-time kidney recipient and a former member of the HonorBridge board, shared his personal journey and how his life has been transformed with the support of HonorBridge. “I recently got a kidney in September of last year. The first one I had was 13 years ago and at the time I was coaching at DH Conley High School and my kidneys started to fail and I had to step down,” Knight explained. He praised his mother's advice on patience and how his experiences have made him a strong advocate for organ donation.
Knight urged, “Why not help someone to live a better life to get them out of their misery. Why not be an organ donor? I was skeptical about being an organ donor until I got an organ.”
The North Carolina Department of Administration reports over 4,400 residents are waiting for a life-saving transplant, while over five million have registered as organ, eye, and tissue donors. Last year, ECU Health managed 47 organ donors, which resulted in 127 transplanted organs, along with providing 30 organs for research. There were also 76 tissue donors with 157 tissue recoveries, and 79 eye donors facilitating 108 cornea transplants.
Individuals interested in organ donation can find more information through ECU Health’s donor registration portal or the Donate Life website.
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