Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare gathered donor families, transplant recipients, medical professionals and community members for a ceremony marking National Donate Life Month, honoring those touched by organ donation and raising awareness about the life-saving impacts of registering as a donor.
The event, held April 7 in the Mustian Courtyard, featured remarks from donor families, recipients and physicians. A Donate Life flag will fly in front of TMH throughout April.
Over the past five years, nearly 400 people have received the gift of life through organ donation and transplantation at TMH. More than 6,000 Floridians are currently waiting for a life-saving organ, eye or tissue donation.
Janet Shipman, senior hospital services coordinator for LifeQuest, a federally designated organ procurement organization serving North Florida hospitals, introduced speakers and this year’s national theme: “Leave a Legacy.” The theme uses tree imagery to represent how a single act of generosity extends far beyond one moment.
“Today we honor all donors and extend our heartfelt gratitude to the donor families,” Shipman said. “May the legacy of your loved ones continue to shine brightly.”
Ron Sachs honors daughter Aimee
Among the speakers was Ron Sachs, founder and chairman emeritus of Sachs Media. Sachs addressed the crowd in honor of his daughter, Aimee Nicole Sachs, who died in May 2023 at age 38 following a massive stroke.
Aimee registered as an organ donor at 16 and never changed that decision. When she died, her organs saved three lives, including that of Kris Vanni, a young mother who is alive today because of Aimee’s gift.
“Getting to know Kris and her family has been the single biggest factor in helping us heal,” Sachs said. “That miracle was made possible by a simple decision anyone can make today. Register. It costs nothing and it means everything.”
During the ceremony, the TMH Music Therapy program performed “Man in the Mirror,” a song the Sachs family holds dear as Aimee lip-synced it in her final days.
An infant’s second chance
Olivia Hand spoke about her daughter, Clara Ann, who was born with a serious heart defect with no cure. Clara Ann received a heart transplant at 8 months old and recently marked one year with her new heart.
“Clara Ann lights up the room wherever she goes, and thanks to a selfless decision, my baby girl is now thriving,” Hand said. “She lives because of doctors, nurses, techs, therapists, and more importantly, because of a donor.”
Frank Gredler, M.D., a cardiologist with Southern Medical Group, P.A., reflected on a career that has included the privilege of telling three patients a donor heart had been found for them.
He recalled one such patient – an 18-year-old in critical condition who received a transplant and is now living a full life – and urged more Floridians to register as donors.
April is National Donate Life Month, a nationwide observance dedicated to raising awareness of the ongoing need for organ, eye and tissue donors.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Organ donation creates legacies, saves lives in Tallahassee
Reporting by Special to the Tallahassee Democrat, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
