At WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, a heartfelt story served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of organ donation. As part of National Donate Life Month in April, the hospital hosted an event to honor donors, recipients, and the families who make the life-saving decision to give.
Among those speaking was Ben Burns, a Vincent, Ohio resident, who shared a deeply personal story that brought the meaning of organ donation to life. His father, Robert Burns, had long expressed his desire to be an organ donor, stressing its importance to his family. But it wasn’t until a year after Robert’s passing that Ben fully understood the significance of that decision.
In April 2019, Ben received a letter from a woman in Texas whose life had been changed thanks to his father’s donation. She had suffered a serious injury in an accident, tearing tendons in her knee, and received muscle and tissue donations from Robert. A single mother of a six-year-old girl, she was able to recover and care for her daughter because of that gift.
“That’s when it hit me,” Ben said during the event held at Camden Clark. At the time, Ben was the father of a six-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy. The emotional letter made him realize that even in death, his father had made a meaningful difference in someone else’s life.
Now, whenever Ben hears someone mention they’re heading to the DMV to renew their license, he takes the opportunity to share his father’s story, encouraging others to check the box and become organ donors.
Celebrating Lives Saved Through Organ Donation
The event, held in the hospital’s cafeteria, was attended by staff, families, and representatives from Lifeline of Ohio, an independent nonprofit organization responsible for organ procurement across 38 counties in Ohio and two counties in West Virginia – Wood and Hancock.
Brenda Hooper, intensive care unit clinical nurse manager and organ donation liaison at Camden Clark, highlighted the incredible impact of organ donation at the hospital. In 2024 alone, ten lives were saved through organ donations at Camden Clark, including six kidneys, two livers, two hearts, two lungs, and one pancreas.
“It’s one of the most profound gifts we can give, that transcends all boundaries and … saves lives,” Hooper said.
Andrew Mullins, CEO of Lifeline of Ohio, spoke about the larger impact within their service region. In 2024, there were 169 organ donors, resulting in 608 lives saved. Additionally, there were 549 tissue donors who contributed skin, tendons, ligaments, heart valves, and bones. Another 568 people donated corneas, restoring sight for many, and 737 donated placental tissue, which is used in treatments for burns and chronic wounds.
“These numbers represent real people whose lives have been changed forever,” Mullins said.
A Flag of Hope and Remembrance
Each year, Camden Clark also raises a Donate Life flag in front of the hospital in honor of National Donate Life Month. While rainy and cold weather delayed the flag-raising this year, the symbolism of the flag remains strong. It serves as a tribute to organ and tissue donors, the families who supported their decision, and those still waiting for the chance at a healthier life through transplant.
“The flag symbolizes life, loss, healing and hope,” Mullins said.
The event was not only a time for reflection but also a call to action. Across the country, thousands of people remain on transplant waiting lists, hoping for a second chance. Donating organs and tissue can save or improve lives, and even in passing, people have the power to give hope to others.
A Message That Matters
Ben Burns’ message is simple but powerful: being an organ donor is more than just checking a box—it’s a commitment to help others live. His father’s decision helped a stranger walk again and care for her child, proving that one selfless choice can echo far beyond what we imagine.
And for hospitals like WVU Medicine Camden Clark and organizations like Lifeline of Ohio, the mission is clear: to honor those who give, support those who receive, and encourage everyone to consider becoming an organ donor.
As National Donate Life Month continues, the community is reminded that behind every statistic is a story—of loss, healing, and above all, life.
