Flag-Raising Ceremony Highlights Importance of Organ Donation
DECATUR – Decatur Memorial Hospital on Monday hosted a flag-raising ceremony to call attention to the importance of organ donation. Several Memorial Health hospitals hosted flag-raising ceremonies during the month of April to honor local organ donors.
According to Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network, which serves Illinois and northwest Indiana, nearly 4,000 Illinoisans are currently waiting for an organ transplant.
“Organ donation is truly a priceless gift,” said Amber Vest, RN, director of Intensive and Intermediate Care at Decatur Memorial Hospital. “April is National Donate Life Month, and flag-raising ceremonies honor that gift while increasing awareness of the importance of becoming an organ donor.”
Monday’s ceremony featured remarks by officials from Memorial Health and Gift of Hope. A similar flag-raising ceremony hosted by Memorial Health, Gift of Hope, Saving Sight and Eversight is planned for later this month in Lincoln.