CORE Flag Raising set for hospital

Nationally, more than 118,000 people are awaiting an organ transplant.

Every day, 22 people will die without receiving one.

One Pennsylvanian dies every 18 hours waiting for an organ transplant.

Uniontown Hospital is pleased to join the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), and organ procurement organizations throughout the country, to inspire hope, advocacy and passion for National Donate Life Month. Throughout April, CORE is encouraging individuals to register to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor. For every person who donates their organs, tissue and corneas, up to 75 lives can be saved or dramatically improved.

“During National Donate Life Month, we pause to celebrate the lives saved and enhanced through organ, tissue and cornea donation, and to honor those who have given the gift of life as organ, tissue and cornea donors. Because of the selfless choice they made, they are heroes,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO, CORE. “Registering to be an organ donor is one of the most meaningful ways individuals can become a hero, inspire hope, and change the life of someone waiting for a transplant.”

The hospital will host representatives from CORE at an annual CORE flag raising ceremony at the acute care center at 11 a.m., Monday April 24.

“Our mission is to make a healthy difference in every life we touch and through programs like CORE, we encourage individuals to consider their ability to make a difference in the lives of others, even in personal tragedy, by registering to be an organ donor,” said Steve Handy, CEO of Uniontown Hospital. “This program gives people the opportunity to have the healthy difference they make in the lives of others echo for decades."

Some important facts about organ, tissue and cornea donation:

·         Anyone can be a donor regardless of age, race or medical history.

·         Nearly 8,000 patients in Pennsylvania are awaiting life-saving organ transplants. Thousands of others could benefit from life-enhancing tissue and cornea transplants.

·         Approximately 11,000 people die annually who are considered medically suitable to donate organs, tissue and corneas, yet only a fraction donate.

Individuals are encouraged to talk with family members and friends about making the Pledge for Life to become a donor. To sign up, visit core.org/register.