Heart recipient Sarah Miretta unfurls the Donate Life flag, with Don McKenna, director of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, from back left. Tyler Brody with Gift of Life Donor Program. And the recipient of the heart, Patti Miretta (Sarah's mother), looks on.
Penn State Health and Gift of Life Donor Program collaborate to raise awareness for National Donate Life Month
The Penn State Department of Health recognized organ donors and recipients at an event held on the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus to raise awareness about organ donation. The health system's heart and abdominal transplant teams were joined by representatives from the Gift of Life Donor Program and patients who have benefited from life-saving organ donation.
April 10, 2024
The ceremony featured speeches from people whose lives have been changed by the gift of organ donation. Among them was Scranton-area mother and daughter Patty and Sara Miretta, who underwent a heart transplant at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for idiopathic cardiomyopathy caused by a rare genetic mutation. .
Sara Miretta, who received her new heart on April 1, 2023, told the crowd she felt “incredible.” Furthermore, she added: “To the donor family, your loved one is my hero. Please know that I will do everything I can to touch her heart and ensure her legacy lives on. My Life.” I owe it to my heroic choice and to all the donor families here today who helped me give the gift of life.”
Representatives from Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the Gift of Life Donor Program also gave remarks.
Each April, National Donate Life Month honors deceased and living donors and their families, celebrates transplant recipients, and recognizes those awaiting life-saving transplants. The nonprofit organization Donate Life America says more than 100,000 people are waiting for organ transplants. 16 people die every day while waiting for an organ transplant.
Register to become an organ donor here. By doing so, your information is securely provided to Donate Life America. Donate Life America is committed to increasing the number of lives saved and cured through organ, eye and tissue donation.
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