Posted by shawnpwilliams | Dallas South News
Methodist Dallas Medical Center recently held a heartwarming dedication ceremony for the Wall of Heroes located on the third floor in the critical care waiting area of the hospital. The Wall of Heroes displays photos of those who have saved lives through organ donation. The Wall is a collaborative effort between the Methodist Dallas Donor Collaborative Team and Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA).
Donor families and donor recipients, as well as STA and Methodist staff and leadership, were present at the event. Calista Aston, whose husband, James, is featured on the Wall, stood with her three children as she shared how her husband’s donor recipient and his family have welcomed her family into theirs and include them in family reunions. “While the donor recipient’s family got to keep their loved one a little longer,” she says, “we have gained an extended family.” Aston also says her 12-year-old daughter told her, “It’s good to help save a life.”
Donor families and donor recipients, as well as STA and Methodist staff and leadership, were present at the event. Calista Aston, whose husband, James, is featured on the Wall, stood with her three children as she shared how her husband’s donor recipient and his family have welcomed her family into theirs and include them in family reunions. “While the donor recipient’s family got to keep their loved one a little longer,” she says, “we have gained an extended family.” Aston also says her 12-year-old daughter told her, “It’s good to help save a life.”
Near her husband's photo on the Wall of Heroes, Calista Aston (right), with her children, Nickolas, Tabitha, and Krystal.
Shante Demerson, a donor recipient and educator, spoke about how receiving her transplant enables her to continue to help children and teach them the values she has experienced through the kindness of her donor family. “I am so grateful that I am now in the position to tell others it’s okay to give the gift of life, and how giving life can change someone’s life.”
Methodist Dallas Director Adult Critical Care Services Barbara Madden, RN, MSN, who leads the Donor Collaborative Team, says, “We want our donor families to feel well educated and supported before, during, and after the organ donation process.” She adds that the goal is to create a Wall of Heroes in the critical waiting areas on both the third and fifth floors of the hospital as memorials to patients and families who have donated.
More than 100,000 people in the U.S. and more than 10,000 people in Texas await life-saving organ transplants. STA and Methodist also hope the Wall and its dedication will inspire others to register as organ donors. Texans can officially register their decision to donate online at www.donatelifetexas.org.
Methodist Dallas Director Adult Critical Care Services Barbara Madden, RN, MSN, who leads the Donor Collaborative Team, says, “We want our donor families to feel well educated and supported before, during, and after the organ donation process.” She adds that the goal is to create a Wall of Heroes in the critical waiting areas on both the third and fifth floors of the hospital as memorials to patients and families who have donated.
More than 100,000 people in the U.S. and more than 10,000 people in Texas await life-saving organ transplants. STA and Methodist also hope the Wall and its dedication will inspire others to register as organ donors. Texans can officially register their decision to donate online at www.donatelifetexas.org.
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