Donor-awareness flag-raising at GCH

Saturday, April 11, 2009

By DEB PHILLIPS
Inquirer reporter

Galion Community Hospital representative Del McGinnis, former director of human resources and 10-year heart transplant recipient was greeted by dozens of former co-workers to raise a flag for Donate Life Month. He recalled the emotional days between learning of his need for a heart and receiving one from an anonymous donor.

Bucyrus resident Beverly Kleinkurt remembered her husband, Charlie, who was a liver recipient. She said he was appreciative of his 15 years of restored life and how emphatic he was about donating his own tissues. Beverly plans to make donation a family tradition as she is also registered to donate when the time comes.

April is National Donate Life Month, a time to reflect on the 101,000 Americans waiting for their life-saving transplant. In response to a call to action from Donate Life America, Galion Community Hospital joins 2,000 hospitals and organ recovery organizations nationwide flying the flag as part of Donate Life America’s Flags Across America campaign. The organizations will fly the Donate Life flags in honor of the donors and recipients whose lives have been affected by organ, eye and tissue donation.

Rachel Lewis of Lifeline of Ohio encourages everyone to become a donor. Although the most publicized method of is through the state bureau of motor vehicles, anyone can easily register at lifelineofohio.org.