Iowa Donor Network, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s, MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center And Sioux City Fire Rescue Hosted Joint Donate Life Flag-Raising Event

Iowa Donor Network, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s, MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center and Sioux City Fire Rescue hosted a joint Donate Life flag-raising event to kick off National Donate Life Month this April. The organizations raised the flag to honor the gift of life through the gifts of organ, tissue and eye donation at Sioux City Fire Rescue, Station 4, 3109 Deerborn Blvd.

A LEGACI Award for Leadership was presented to Sioux City Fire Rescue at this event for their dedication to spreading the message of Donate Life in the community.

Throughout April we celebrate transplant recipients who have received a new life. We also shine a light on the many more who are still waiting and honor donors and their families. This month has been observed as National Donate Life Month since 2002 to spread the message of donation and inspire people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.

“The number of people in need of transplants continues to outpace the number of donor organs,” said John Jorgensen, Donation Services Coordinator for the Iowa Donor Network. “There are more than 105,000 Americans currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant –600 of them live right here in Iowa.”

Registering to become a donor is the most effective way to ensure saving lives through donations. It also serves as a sign of hope for those who continue to wait. Those interested can register at IowaDonorNetwork.org.

Donate Life Month celebrations will be held at hospitals, EMS agencies and driver’s license stations across Iowa throughout April. Buildings across the state will also Light Up For Life and illuminate their buildings in green throughout the month. National Blue & Green day in honor of donations is on Friday, April 14. For more information about Iowa Donor Network activities please visit IowaDonorNetwork.org.