Organ donation is one of the most powerful and selfless acts a person can do — a single decision that can save multiple lives. Brenda Hooper, the intensive care unit clinical nurse manager at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, describes it best: “It’s one of the most profound gifts we can give, that transcends all boundaries and … saves lives.”
Last week, the hospital partnered with Lifeline of Ohio to hold a special event promoting awareness during National Donate Life Month. Among those speaking was Ben Burns, who shared his personal story and how organ donation forever changed his life.
After the passing of his father, Burns learned that his dad’s donated organs helped a single mother in Texas. The impact was so powerful that he became an advocate himself, now encouraging others to register whenever he hears they’re renewing their driver’s license.
Lifeline of Ohio serves 38 counties in Ohio and two in West Virginia. In just the first few months of 2024, they’ve already seen 169 organ donors save 608 lives. Additionally, there were 549 tissue donors, 568 cornea donors, and 737 placenta donors — the latter used to aid patients suffering from burns or chronic wounds.
The numbers are inspiring, but what matters most are the lives touched by these silent heroes. That’s why it’s vital to understand how easy it is to become an organ donor. You can register through your state’s online donor registry, the National Donate Life Registry, or simply say “yes” while applying for or renewing your driver’s license or state ID.
However, registering is just one part of the process. It’s equally important to talk with your loved ones about your decision. Let them know your wishes so that, in a moment of crisis, your choice is honored and understood.
For Burns, advocacy came after receiving a heartfelt letter from the woman whose life was saved by his father’s donation. Stories like his remind us that the decision to donate is more than a checkbox — it’s a legacy.
So if you notice the Donate Life flag flying outside a hospital this month, let it serve as a gentle reminder: You have the power to make a difference. You have the power to be someone’s miracle.
Register today. Save a life. Be a hero.
