Community members gathered April 16 at Pershing General Hospital to mark Donate Life Month with a flag-raising ceremony. The event honored organ, eye and tissue donors and highlighted the ongoing need for registered donors.
Brandon Chadock, CEO of Pershing General Hospital, welcomed attendees and thanked them for coming out to support the effort, noting the importance of raising awareness about organ donation and the difference it can make in the lives of individuals and families.
“Thank you for coming out today. We appreciate the turnout. We must raise awareness for this effort because it makes a difference in so many lives across the nation,” Chadock said.
Kimberly Flores, donation development liaison with Nevada Donor Network, spoke about the significance of Donate Life Month and the impact organ, eye and tissue donation can have on those waiting for life-saving transplants.
“Each April, Donate Life Month gives us a meaningful opportunity to come together, to reflect, to honor and to inspire,” Flores said. “It is a time to recognize the profound impact of organ, eye and tissue donation and the lives forever changed by the generosity of others.”
Flores shared that more than 105,000 people across the United States are currently waiting for life-saving transplants, including nearly 700 individuals in Nevada. She encouraged attendees to consider becoming registered donors and to discuss their wishes with family members.
“Behind every number is a person, a mother, a father, a child, a friend, hoping for more time, more memories, more life,” Flores said.
During the ceremony, nurse Sydney Wemple read a tribute titled Heart of the Hero, written by a transplant recipient about her brother, who donated a kidney after she battled kidney disease for many years. The tribute described the emotional journey of illness and the life-changing impact of receiving a transplant from a loved one.
Following the reading, the brother featured in the tribute spoke about his experience donating a kidney and encouraged others to consider donation.
“It’s just amazing to be a part of that miracle,” the brother said. “You don’t have to pass away to pass on a miracle. You can be a living donor.”
Raylene Stiehl, Chief Nursing Officer at Pershing General Hospital, encouraged attendees to discuss their organ donation wishes with their families and to consider registering as donors.
“Share your wishes with your family,” Stiehl said. “Let them know what you want, and be that generous soul and leave a legacy.”
Speakers also noted that more than 1.6 million Nevadans have registered as organ donors, emphasizing that a single decision can create a lasting impact on many lives.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, attendees gathered near the flagpole as the brother raised the Donate Life flag, symbolizing hope for those waiting for transplants.
Following the ceremony, attendees gathered to visit with organizers, enjoy refreshments and sign up for raffle prizes.
Those interested in becoming organ donors can register online through Donate Life Nevada or the Nevada Donor Network in just a few minutes. Registration is also available when renewing a driver’s license at the DMV or by signing up through the Medical ID section of the iPhone Health app.
Pershing General Hospital is part of the DoNation Campaign, aimed at increasing the number of people in the community and workplace who are organ donors.
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