Register as a Donor
Looking back almost 25 years
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Next year, LifeGift will celebrate its 25 years. I've been going through old calendars, newsletters and annual reports to put together a PR campaign for next year. It's been so interesting to see how much LifeGift has evolved over the past 24 years and what a significant role the organization has played in donation -- locally, regionally and nationally.
The organization has an impressive resume and continues to push the envelope when it comes to improving donation and saving lives. LifeGift pioneered many of the best practices that organ procurement organizations across the country have since adopted, like the in-house coordinator program that was developed in 1995. The in-house coordinators (now called family care specialists) are integrated into donor hospitals and become extensions of the team. They are crucial to the donation process as they are the ones trained to approach families about the option of donation when a loved one passes away.
As I've been going back through the old materials, I've also observed what LifeGift has done on the legislative front to push donation and garner support from our state decision-makers. LifeGift has been instrumental in changing laws that govern medical examiners and donation as well as giving Texans the right to exercise their decision to be a registered organ, eye and tissue donors. And now, as we approach the 25th anniversary of LifeGift, the three organ procurement organizations will operate the Donate Life - Texas Registry, which will have a significant impact on donation in the state of Texas. I can't wait to see what will happen next -- both from a professional and personal standpoint.
I'm really proud to be part of an organization with such a rich history and leadership that others in the industry look up to, admire and want to emulate. I'm looking forward to unfolding our 25th anniversary plan so that the communities we serve will be able to share in that pride.
Much more to come! It's time to celebrate 25 years of saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation!
Submitted by Laura Frnka
