Ascension St. Mary’s takes part in statewide observance honoring organ, tissue and eye donors

Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital was among the more than 80 donate life Wisconsin member and partner organizations that participated in a statewide donate life flag-raising ceremony and moment of silence to mark the start of National Donate Life Month.

This event promoted the mission of organ, tissue and eye donation and honored organ, tissue and eye donors and their families.

“One donor can save eight lives and this event recognized the nearly 114,000 patients waiting for a life-saving transplant. Of those patients, nearly 2,000 are right here in Wisconsin,” said Christine Krebs, RN, BSN, director of outpatient services at Ascension St. Mary’s. “We also honored the gift of life that donors and their families have made possible.”

The donate life flag was first introduced in 2006. Since then it has become a national symbol of unity, remembrance and hope, while honoring those touched by donation and transplantation. During the past 13 years, 50,000 donate life flags have flown across America.

Wisconsin organ, tissue and eye donation facts:

• Anyone age 15 and half or older can register as a donor regardless of age, health, gender or ethnic or racial background.
• Nearly 3 million, or almost 60 percent of those eligible, have said “Yes” and registered as organ, tissue and eye donors on Wisconsin’s Donor Registry.
• There were nearly 150 living kidney and liver donors, more than 200 deceased organ donors, more than 900 tissue donors and more than 1,500 eye donors in 2018.
• Nearly 800 organs were transplanted, and more than 700 recipients received the gift of hope with an organ transplant in 2018.

“A successful organ donation program is a true team effort,” added Krebs. “We have a multidisciplinary team that provides resources and support to our patients and their family during all levels of the organ donation and decision-making process.

More information on organ, tissue and eye donation in Wisconsin can be found at DonateLifeWisconsin.org or at a Wisconsin DMV Service Center.