Memorial Health hospitals are working to raise awareness about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation through a faith-based lens during November. Information tables set up across their facilities will offer resources to help the public understand how various religious traditions view organ and tissue donation. Each of the hospitals will also provide green ribbons to encourage people to consider becoming registered donors.
In the past year alone, 13 organ donors and 69 tissue donors have given the gift of life through Memorial Health hospitals, and the need for donors remains high. Over 100,000 people in the United States—including approximately 5,000 across Illinois and Indiana—are currently waiting for organ transplants, according to Gift of Hope.
Angie Hermes, nurse manager at Springfield Memorial Hospital’s 3C ICU says Saome potential donors may question their faith's stance on organ and tissue donation when considering registration. Faith and Hope Month aims to educate the public that every major religion in the United States supports organ donation as an acceptable and commendable expression of compassion and love.
A single organ donor has the potential to save up to eight lives, improve the lives of 25 more through tissue donation, and restore sight for two people, highlighting the profound impact one individual can make.
Memorial Health’s information tables are located at:
- DMH: Barnes Lobby
- JMH: Cafeteria
- LMH: Outside of Woods Café
- SMH: Main Lobby
- TMH: Main Entrance
For those interested in learning more about organ, eye, and tissue donation or registering as a donor, additional resources can be found online at Gift of Hope, Saving Sight, and Eversight Vision.
