Marshall Health Network announces events for Donate Life Month

National Donate Life Month, held each April, is dedicated to encouraging individuals to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those who saved lives through the gift of donation. Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH), St. Mary’s Medical Center (SMMC) and Rivers Health (RH), members of Marshall Health Network (MHN), have scheduled events to commemorate the month.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, April 1

CHH Flag-Raising Ceremony
Representatives from CHH and Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) will be present as the Donate Life flag is raised, following a brief ceremony. CHH will observe the statewide Pause to Give Life Event during the ceremony by raising the Donate Life flag. The flag-raising will be followed by a moment of silence for one minute to recognize the more than 100,000 patients waiting for a life-saving transplant.
Location: The flagpole at the CHH entrance and Facebook Live @cabellhuntington.
Time: 10 a.m.

Thursday, April 11

Tree of Life Ceremony
Representatives from SMMC and KODA will host a memorial service to remember patients who donated tissue or organs in the past year.
Location: St. Mary’s Medical Center, 2nd Floor, ICU Waiting Area
Time: 1 p.m.

Donate Life Month Selfie Station
CHH will host a selfie station for employees and hospital visitors to encourage community members to participate in raising awareness for Donate Life Month and those who make the selfless decision to become an organ donor.
Location: Marshall University Medical Center atrium at CHH
Time: 6 p.m. on April 11 until 2 p.m. on April 12

Friday, April 12

SMMC Pause to Give Life
SMMC will participate in this statewide event to highlight that one donor can save eight lives with a moment of prayer, via intercom throughout the hospital.
Location: SMMC
Time: 10:08 a.m.

KODA Bake Sale
Baked goods will be available for purchase supporting KODA with a Selfie Station available for community members who wish to take photos and post to social media in recognition of Donate Life Month. Representatives from CHH and KODA will be registering organ donors and answering questions regarding organ donation.
Location: Marshall University Medical Center atrium at CHH
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

SMMC Flag-Raising Ceremony
As part of National Donate Life Blue and Green Day, SMMC and KODA representatives will raise the Donate Life flag after a brief ceremony. On this day each year, the public is encouraged to wear blue and green and engage in sharing the Donate Life message.
Location: The flagpole at the SMMC entrance and Facebook Live @stmarysmedicalcenter
Time: 11 a.m.

Donate Life Blue and Green Day Walk
As part of National Donate Life Blue and Green Day, Rivers Health staff will participate in a walk around the hospital campus wearing blue and green shirts. Members of the public are welcome to join the staff.
Location: RH Wellness Center
Time: 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 13

“Donors are Superstars” Virtual 5K
Representatives from Marshall Health Network and KODA will host a virtual 5K Run/Walk in honor of Donate Life Month.
Location: Virtual
To register: www.tristateracer.com

Friday, April 19

RH Flag-Raising Ceremony
Representatives from RH and the Center for Organ Recover and Education (CORE) will raise the Donate Life flag after a brief ceremony. Speakers will include hospital staff and an organ recipient.
Location: RH Main Lobby & the flagpole at the RH entrance
Time: 1:30 p.m.

Monday, April 22

Organ Donor Registration
Representatives from CHH and KODA will be registering organ donors and answering questions regarding organ donation. Treat bags will be available for attendees.
Location: Marshall University Medical Center atrium at CHH
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30

Donate Life Memorial Service and Tree Planting
Representatives from CHH and KODA will host a memorial service to remember patients who donated tissue or organs in the past year. Following the service, a tree will planted outside in memory of those who gave the selfless gift of organ donation.
Location: Outside of Edwards Cancer Center with a rain location scheduled for the CHH Chapel, located on the 1st floor above the registration area
Time: 10 a.m.

According to KODA, every 8 minutes, someone is added to the national transplant waiting list. On average, 16 people die every day while waiting for a transplant. Just one donor can save up to eight lives. To learn more about organ donation, please visit www.donatelife.net.