SOUTHCOAST JOINS NATIONAL "FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA CELEBRATION"

Southcoast Hospital Group will be teaming up with the New England Organ Bank during the month of April to honor and celebrate the hundreds of thousands of donors and recipients whose lives have been affected by organ, eye and tissue donation.

The campaign includes awareness days at the three hospitals and the month-long display of the "Donate Life" flag a the three Southcoast hospitals - Charlton Memorial in River Fall, St. Luke's in New Bedford and Tobey in Wareham.

"We hope this nationwide display of flags will make people stop, take notice and take action to sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor," said Sara Pace Jones, Chairwoman of Donate Life America.". "Taking the appropriate action to sign up to be a donor in your state could give some one a very precious gift - life."

"Flags Across America" is a Donate Life America and New England Organ Bank initiative that invites donor hospitals and transplant centers, as well as all recovery agencies, to collectively fly the Donate Life Flag during April. The goal is to create to a visible and unified statement about the importance of becoming an organ donor and the dire need for organs.

Community members are welcome to learn more organ donation and to register with representatives from the New England Organ Bank at the three hospitals on the following dates:

• Tobey Hospital in Wareham on Thursday, April 16 from 11am to 2 pm
• St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford on Thursday, April 21 from 11am to 2pm
• Charlton Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, April 28 from 11am to 2pm