April 3rd was the annual Pause to Give Life flag-raising event sponsored
by HonorBridge to recognize those who have participated in organ, eye,
and tissue donation and to recognize April as National Donate Life Month.
Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS) joined in the flag-raising ceremonies
happening across the United States at the flagpole outside the hospital’s
main entrance.
Traditionally, the flag is raised at 10:08 a.m. The time of the event symbolizes
that 1) a new name is added to the wait list for organs, eyes, and tissues
every 10 minutes, and 2) a single donor can impact eight lives. Following
the flag-raising there was a moment of silence and a prayer to recognize
the generous donations made by the donors and their families, the expertise
of the clinical teams involved in the transplant process, and the donor
recipients and their families.
Melanie Lutz, director of CVHS Cancer Programs, said at the ceremony, “Over
five million North Carolinians have registered as organ, eye, and tissue
donors, but more must be done. We ask that you pause with us and reflect
on the impact of these priceless gifts and consider registering as a donor
if you haven’t already. We hope to create a culture where donation
becomes a fundamental human responsibility.”
You may register at honorbridge.org/registerme/ or you may say ‘yes’
to donation at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Over 3,000 North Carolinians await transplants and over 100,000 American
men, women and children are in need as well. Over the past year, HonorBridge
staff transplanted 1,003 organs, and helped save 912 lives, its highest
number ever.