Each year in early April, ECU Health and HonorBridge, an organization in North Carolina that partners with hospitals, transplant centers and other essential partners to coordinate organ donation, host Pause to Give Life events to honor and reflect on the live-saving act of organ donation.
This year, the Greenville-based event happened Wednesday, April 2 at the flagpole in front of the medical center. Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center, welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of honoring donors, as well as raising awareness for organ donation.
“This morning, we recognize the strength and courage of those waiting,” Briley said. “We honor the hundreds of North Carolina donors and donor families that have so selflessly give the gift of life and healing through organ, eye and tissue donation.”
The ECU Health Police Department raised the Donate Life flag to honor donors, their families, those who are waiting and recipients who have received the gift of life.
Attendees joined the entire health system in a moment of silence at 10:08 a.m., a time significant because one donor can save eight lives.
William Knight, a two-time kidney recipient, former member of the HonorBridge board and advocate for organ donation throughout the community, shared his story and how his life has changed because of the two kidney donations he received with support through HonorBridge.
“I recently got a kidney in September of last year. The first one I had was 13 years ago and at the time I was coaching at DH Conley High School and my kidneys started to fail and I had to step down,” Knight said. “But my mama always told me that in due time, God takes care of everything, you just have to have patience.”
He is now an advocate for organ donation and encourages people that they can make a difference through donation.
“Why not help someone to live a better life to get them out of their misery. Why not be an organ donor? I was skeptical about being an organ donor until I got an organ,” he said. “Every chance I get, I advocate for organ donation. Please, if you get the chance, sign up to be an organ donor,.”
According to the North Carolina Department of Administration, over 4,400 North Carolinians are waiting for a life-saving transplant and more than five million North Carolinians have designated themselves as organ, eye and tissue donors.
Last year, ECU Health had 47 organ donors and transplanted 127 organs, and 30 organs were sent out for research. There were also 76 tissue donors with 157 tissues recovered and 79 eye donors with 108 corneas transplanted and 13 placed for research. ECU Health Medical Center also performed 151 kidney transplants last year.
Those interested in learning about organ donations or interested in becoming an organ donor can visit ECU Health’s donor registration portal or the Donate Life website for more.
Resources
ECU Health Transplant Services
ECU Health Donor Registration Portal
