JAMES WOOD

Staff Writer

With an aim to spread awareness of organ, tissue and eye donation, a special flag raising ceremony was held on April 16 to celebrate “National Donate Life Month” at the flag pole in front of the Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital (VBH).

Donate Life is a non-profit with the mission to educate and activate the public to choose life-sustaining donation.

Employees of the hospital along with other volunteers and staff associated with Donate Life organized on Thursday to share their connection to the non-profit and why they believe that donation is the right choice to make.

“Across our nation, thousands of people are waiting for lifesaving transplants,” said VBH Chief Quality Officer Kerri Laughlin. “Today’s ceremony is a reminder that each of us has the power to make a difference by choosing to be an organ donor and sharing that decision with our loved ones.” 

Danielle Prince, the first speaker at the event, shared her story about her daughter Kayla who had tragically passed away from a stroke caused by unknown reasons. Since then, however, she has been able to benefit the lives of others through her donations.

The second speaker, Chamber of Commerce Director Dana Rodriguez, spoke on the value of life and donation after the 2024 passing of her husband Emmanuel who had chosen to become an organ donor shortly before the traffic accident that took his life.

She highlighted her joy that her husband has been able to live on through those he has benefited from his donations.

“It’s an honor that my husband gets to continue to live,” said Rodriguez.

The event began at 1:08 p.m. to represent that one life can save eight others through donation.