Arizona Donor Quilt displayed at Banner Del E. Webb in April

SOURCE: EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE

The squares of the Arizona Donor Quilts tell a story.

Each fabric selected, each thread stitched and each intricate design remembers family members who had the wisdom and kindness to ensure their organs, tissue or corneas would be donated at the time of their deaths so that others could live.

To celebrate Organ Donor Awareness Month, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19, Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center will have one of the Arizona Donor Quilts on display for the community to view.

The quilt will be on display in the corridor between the Louisa Kellam Women’s Center and the cafeteria of the nonprofit hospital at 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Banner Del E. Webb will kick off the month with a flag raising 10 a.m. April 1, and will fly the Donor Network flag all month.

Donor families and donor recipients will discuss the Donor Network of Arizona and provide an opportunity for people to sign donor cards or register at the on-site kiosk, pledging their organs, tissue or corneas upon death. Visitors will also be able to view the inspirational quilt.

“The importance of organ donation cannot be underscored enough,” said Michelle Winters, CNO, of Banner Del E. Webb. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to see one of the beautiful organ donor quilts and to learn about organ donation.”

The hospital also will have a private, invitation-only remembrance ceremony April 22 for donor families.

In Arizona, more than 1,700 people are waiting for an organ transplant and according to donor network, one organ or tissue donor can help as many as 50 people. Every 12 minutes someone adds their name to a waiting list for organ transplants and each day, 18 people die because there are not enough organs for everyone who needs a transplant.

The organization notes: “90 percent of Americans say they support organ donation, but only 30 percent know the essential steps to take to be a donor.”