FLINT, Michigan — Hurley Medical Center in Flint has received the Gold Award by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) for raising awareness of the need for organ donations. It was presented by Gift of Life for exceptional efforts in increasing enrollment in the state’s organ donor registry.
The award was presented by HRSA’s Workplace Partnerships for Life Program, which works with businesses and hospitals to try to increase the number of people on state donor registries. The Gold Award was presented to only four hospitals in the state of Michigan.
At any given time, there are around 120,000 people throughout the nation that are in need of organs. Currently, 66% of adult Michigan residents are registered organ donors, yet only 44% of Genesee County residents are on the registry.
Hurley Medical Center led a four-week social media campaign in November 2018 to raise awareness of the need for organ donors. In addition to the social media campaign, Hurley Medical Center held table drives to increase enrollment. In turn, their efforts led to over 300 names added to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.
Being on the Organ Donor Registry also makes it easier for families to know how to proceed when their loved one has passed.
“It’s important when families are making difficult decisions for end of life,” said Valerie Canary, pediatric trauma program manager. “It makes it easier on them when the decision has already been made and they know they are honoring the gift their loved one wanted to make… That’s already one of the most difficult times of their life and not having to think about that makes things a lot easier”
It is imperative to expand the Michigan Organ Donor Registry to help cut down on wait times for people waiting on life-saving organs. You can sign up to be a part of the registry through Gift of Life Michigan or the Secretary of State. Both organizations have options to sign up online.
For more information contact Valerie Canary at 810-262-7163.
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