Note from CEO Ann Lucena on Donate Life Month
Apr 28, 2021To Our Community:
April is National Donate Life Month and we would like to take this opportunity to honor the gift of life and health that comes through organ and tissue donation. This month we celebrate those who have received transplants, we honor donors and their families, we recognize those who continue to wait for transplants, and we thank registered donors for giving hope. As we observe Donate Life Month, we would also like to raise awareness of the ongoing need for more people to register to be organ and tissue donors.
There are currently more than 100,000 people waiting for an organ transplant in the United States, with more than 22,000 in California alone, according to Donor Network West. Tragically, approximately 20 people in the United States die every day waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and can impact an additional 75 lives through tissue donation.
Since 2015, San Ramon Regional Medical Center has had a special partnership with Donor Network West, the federally-designated nonprofit organ procurement organization that serves more than 13 million people in 45 counties in Northern California and Northern Nevada. We have a dedicated operating suite at our hospital for Donor Network West’s use. Having 24/7 access to this surgical suite helps reduce the timeframe for organ recovery and life-saving transplantation. Because of our partnership, the 175 hospitals within Donor Network West’s service area have the ability to manage their donation, transplantation and transportation efforts more effectively. Since the launch of our partnership with Donor Network West, together we have recovered and facilitated the transplantation of 1,500 organs.
Through the generosity of Bridge to Life, we also have a special piece of artwork on display in our dining room that was designed in honor of donor patients. Hearts of Life, created by artist Marlene Lewis, reminds us every day of the impact that organ donors have on recipients and their loved ones. The plaque next to Hearts of Life, reads in part: “A hero is present in all of us who choose to help those in need. We all have the power to transform a life.”
We are deeply proud of our partnership with Donor Network West and we are honored to participate in the life-saving process of organ donation. We encourage you to consider registering to be a donor by visiting www.DonorNetworkWest.org.
Sincerely,
Ann Lucena
CEO, San Ramon Regional Medical Center