Clinicians and caregivers at Allegheny Health Network’s Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) organized a ceremonial honor walk, bringing together more than two dozen organ donor families. This event, held on April 30th, marked the end of AHN’s ‘Donate Life Month’ campaign and honored those who have given the lifesaving gift of organ donation.
During the ceremony, brief remarks were made by leaders from AGH and the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE). A liver transplant recipient, who is a native of Pittsburgh, recounted his experiences of undergoing both a liver transplant and open-heart surgery at AGH. This happened after his travel to Bali for a mountain marathon was interrupted.
The families proceeded to the hospital’s donor recognition memorial located in the main lobby, supported by AGH staff members who lined the hallway in solidarity.
This honor walk was part of ‘National Donate Life Month,’ which allows caregivers to acknowledge the heroism of patients, offering the families of deceased donors a moment to honor the legacies left by their loved ones.
The key participants included Allan Philp, MD, Chief Medical Officer of AGH; Susan Stuart, CEO and President of CORE; Kathy Sikora, Director of Emergency Services at AGH; David Johnston, a liver transplant recipient; as well as families and friends of organ donors.
The event took place at the Magovern Auditorium within Allegheny General Hospital, located at 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, starting at 11:00 a.m.
According to CORE, more than 100,000 people in the United States are awaiting transplants. In Pennsylvania alone, over 7,000 individuals are on the transplant waiting list. National Donate Life Month, celebrated every April, encourages more Americans to become organ, eye, and tissue donors and acknowledges those who have saved lives through their donations.
