Governor Tony Evers hosted the annual Gift of Life Ceremony on Aug. 18 at the executive residence in Madison.
More 4 300 people representing over 70 donors attended the ceremony on a sunny Friday morning. Evers said during an emotional speech that he hopes the ceremony will help families through such a difficult time and give them some peace knowing their loved ones have given the gift of life to others.
Each donor name was announced while the families stood for a few moments of silence in a respectful and meaningful ceremony.
Organ and tissue donation makes an important impact on the lives of the recipients receiving such life-changing gifts. Up to eight people can be helped through organ donation, while over 75 people’s lives can be enhanced by tissue donation. One donor can also help restore sight for two people.
To meet such a critical need in the country, it is important to sign up for the donor registry when receiving or renewing a driver’s license at the DMV, renewing a hunting, fishing, or trapping license at the DNR, or online at health.wisconsin.gov/donorRegistry/public/donate.html and then talk to your family about your decision.
Hospitals statewide participated in National Donate Life Month activities, including speaking at flag raising ceremonies and observing moments of silence, participating in Blue and Green Day and hosting informational booths for organ, tissue and eye donation. These events promote the importance of registering as donors and honor donor heroes who have saved and enhanced lives through their gifts of donation. Hospitals statewide participated in National Donate Life Month activities, including speaking at flag raising ceremonies and observing moments of silence, participating in Blue and Green Day and hosting informational booths for organ, tissue and eye donation. These events promote the importance of registering as donors and honor donor heroes who have saved and enhanced lives through their gifts of donation.
Staff at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah enjoy sunshine and warm temperatures as they raise the Donate Life flag on the hospital grounds on April 10.
While organ donation may get much of the spotlight, advocates say donation of tissue and eyes are just as vital and that a single donor can help dozens of people.
Jackie Pische received her son's donated bone graft for back surgery.