More than 114,000 people nationwide are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Each day, 1,440 new names are added to the list. Albert Weibel, who lives in Lancaster, knows that experience all too well. In fall 1999, Weibel was admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for 125 consecutive days while he waited for a heart transplant.
“This year marks 20 years that I have been given the gift of a new life. After receiving a heart transplant, my life radically changed. Not only have I become healthier physically, but my outlook on life has transformed,” shared Weibel. “In order to help pay it forward, I volunteer, so that I can share how becoming an organ and tissue donor can become part of everyone’s legacy.”
In April, as part of National Donate Life Month, LG Health announced that Lancaster General Hospital will fly a Donate Life flag to honor an organ donation taking place at the hospital. The flag will fly for 24 hours, making community members and hospital staff aware of the donor’s life-saving gift.
“This new program honors the invaluable decision that a donor makes during a time filled with many emotions,” said Gary Williams, director of Nursing. He continued to explain, “Each donor has the potential to impact the lives of eight people through donation.”
In addition to the new program, LG Health hosted an April 1 flag-raising ceremony at LGH, in support of those on transplant waiting lists and to honor organ and tissue donors and their families. During the ceremony, LG Health staff members shared messages of support for organ and tissue donation.
To learn more about organ and tissue donation and transplantation, visit www.donors1.org.