Pennsylvania Hospital is pleased to announce that we are once again partnering with the Hospital & Healthsytem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and the Gift of Life Donor Program as a hospital partner in support of HAP’s 2018 Pennsylvania Donate Life Hospital Challenge!
Approximately 20 people die each day in the U.S. waiting for an organ, and there are currently over 117,000 men, women, and children waiting for a life-saving organ transplant – with over 8,000 of them in Pennsylvania alone. The Donate Life Hospital Challenge, which will run through April 30 this year, encourages Pennsylvania hospitals to increase organ, eye, and tissue donation awareness and designations within their hospital and community. To learn more about donation and sign up as a future donor on your state registry’s, please visit www.donors1.org.
“Because there are many misconceptions and myths surrounding organ donation, there is a need for greater public awareness, understanding, and open discussion so potential donors and donor families can make informed decisions,” said Rhoda Sulzbach, MSN, CRNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, director of Advanced Practice Providers. “As healthcare providers, we’re in a unique position and have the honor of supporting both donor families and transplant recipients. There just aren’t enough organs available to help those in need, and the HAP campaign is about encouraging the community to officially join the donor registry.”
There will be tabling events in Café 1751 to raise awareness on April 3rd, 9th, 18th, and 23rd, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and “Blue and Green Day” will be celebrated on Friday, April 13.
Staff members are also encouraged to sign up for the 23rd Annual Gift of Life Donor Dash on Sunday, April 15 (registration opens at 6:00 a.m.), which celebrates the life-saving power of donation, and honors all of the donors who give others a second chance at life. Proceeds from the Donor Dash benefit the Transplant Foundation, the charitable foundation that supports programs and activities for donor and recipient families.
To participate in the 10K or 5K run, the Kids’ Fun Run, or the 3K walk at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, join “Team Penn Medicine”! Registration online is $30 until April 10, or $35 the day of the event.