EAGLEVILLE, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Gift of Life Donor Program joined with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office as the county becomes the first in Pennsylvania to fly a “Donate Life” flag to honor organ donors and their families.
“It's a reminder that each donor has the potential to save and enhance the lives of numerous recipients, leaving a lasting legacy of love and kindness,” said Coroner Dr. Janine Darby.
Heart and liver recipient Patrick Brett was born with a heart condition. He says, until his transplant three years ago, there were so many things he couldn’t do, many of them involving his children.
“Justin, my donor, is my hero,” said Brett. “His mother and his best friend, who ultimately made the decision for him to be an organ donor, for him to save my life and six other people's lives — I will never, ever be able to repay them.”
Gift of Life President and CEO Rick Hasz says one organ donor can save the lives of eight people, and a tissue donor can help up to 100 people.
“Donation and transplantation doesn't happen without the kindness of strangers — with a family, during the worst possible time, thinking about somebody else,” Hasz said. “It really does restore your faith in humanity, knowing that there are people who are willing to say yes to donation, soon after they've lost their loved one.”
There are more than 5,000 people in the Philadelphia region waiting for a transplant — and more than 100,000 people across the country.