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.

Gift of Life 1

Gift of Life 2

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

The Donate Life flag waves in the wind along with the American flag at Black River Memorial Hospital.

 

HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital participates in the National Donate Life Month flag raising ceremony.

 

 

The flag raising at Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital is part of the statewide Pause to Give Life ceremonies, which includes speakers and a moment of silence to honor those still waiting for life-saving transplants.

 

 

 

Staff at Spooner Health raise the Donate Life flag.

 

Memorial Medical Center staff in Ashland raise the Donate Life flag and participate in the national Blue and Green Day on April 14.

 

Donation Committee members at HSHS Sacred Heart participate in National Donate Life Month Blue and Green Day on April 14 as part of Donate Life Month activities.

 

Staff donned blue and green lapel pins for National Donate Life Month Blue and Green Day.

 

Cookies were handed out as part of a booth for National Donate Life Month at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital on April 13.

 

A few staff from Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital dress up to honor Donate Life Month on April 14.

 

Representatives from organ, tissue and eye organizations dress up and host an informational booth at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital for Donate Life Month on April 14.

 

Kim Messenger, whose wife had a stroke and became a donor at 41, left, and Carmen Viegut, Director of Nursing for Tomahawk and Eagle River, attend a booth at the WJJQ Home, Sport and Travel Show with Health Expo at Tomahawk School Complex on April 16.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Are you ready to become a donor?

You can help make a difference through the gift of donation.
One person can save and heal up to 75 lives