Hospitals Across Louisiana Participate in National Donate Life Month in April

Shreveport, LA-- The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) and Willis-Knighton Health System are having a Donor Flag Raising Ceremony on April 5, 2011 at 10 a.m. Hospitals throughout the state of Louisiana are celebrating National Donate Life Month during April 2011. On April 1, hospital will begin a 30-day initiative to raise awareness about the critical need for individuals to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors with flag raising ceremonies; donor drives initiatives, and educational outreach.

As part of the recognition month activities, hospitals will join thousands of organizations across the nation in the Flags Across America initiative to honor and celebrate the hundreds of thousands of donors and recipients whose lives have been affects by donation. The goals of Flags Across America is to rally every donor hospital and transplant center, as well as all recovery agencies, to collectively fly the Donate Life flag during April 2011. Hundreds of organ and tissue donor families from North Louisiana have been invited to attend the Donor Flag Ceremony on April 5.

“Organ and tissue donation can save and improve lives in our community, around Louisiana and across the nation, and Willis-Knighton wants to help drive that point home with this symbolic flag,” said Deborah Bellamy, Program Administrator at the Regional Transplant Center. “Joining the Donor Registry gives hope to those in need of organ, cornea, and tissue transplants, while leaving a legacy of generosity for the donor and his or her family.”

About LOPA 
LOPA is the only federally-designated organ procurement agency for the state of Louisiana. The agency plays a vital role in educating the medical community and the general public about organ and tissue donation matters, working with families through the donation process, recovering donated organs and tissues and placing the organ and tissues for transplant. 
Contacts: Ashley Payne, Hospital Resource Coordinator for Willis-Knighton Health System LOPA Phone: (504) 837-3355 x373, E-mail: apayne@lopa.org