Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP) has a mission of connecting its students and alumni to communities through health sciences. Lifeline of Ohio proposes to provide “lifelines that connect us all.” This makes a partnership that includes the raising of a Donate Life flag inside CHSP’s Grover Center home a natural fit.
“We’re so excited to have this flag raising ceremony in support of organ and tissue donation,” said Dean Randy Leite in the Grover Center Atrium on Tuesday, Nov. 6, where a large number of students from the School of Nursing (SON) indicated they are registered as donors.
“I’ve always thought this was an important issue but I didn’t realize the numbers we’re looking at,” Leite continued. “Well over 100,000 Americans are waiting on organs and wondering every day whether they will continue to live as they wait. I’m thrilled you all are committed to this cause and I’m hoping we can do more to encourage people throughout our region to become organ and tissue donors.”
Lifeline of Ohio is an independent, non-profit organization the promotes and coordinates the donation of human organs and tissue for transplants. Donate Life Ohio is a program within the organization and the flag initiative is meant to be a tribute to those who give life, those who receive a second chance through transplantation and in memory of those who died waiting.
Lauren Stevens, community outreach coordinator for Lifeline of Ohio, said during the ceremony that 3,000 Ohioans are currently waiting on a lifesaving organ transplant. She said Donate Life Ohio has a goal of flying flags in each of Ohio’s 88 counties and that more than 50,000 Donate Life flags fly across the nation.
“Lifeline of Ohio has a strong partnership with Ohio University and the School of Nursing,” she said. “This is an opportunity for us to educate practitioners on the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation and we’re so grateful that CHSP has partnered with us to raise a Donate Life flag as part of the campaign.”
Individuals can make a donation decision at the BMV when they obtain their license or by going to www.lifelineofohio.org.