STHS Edinburg Commemorates National Donate Life

Along with spreading awareness about the importance of organ donation, the commemoration event allowed the community to come together to show appreciation for those who have given others a second chance at life

Considered one of the great advances in modern medicine, organ transplantation provides a second chance at life for men, women and children with life-threatening conditions that impair the function of vital organs and put their lives at risk.

In the United States, there are currently more than 103,000 individuals desperately waiting on a life-saving organ transplant, per the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), with another name added to the organ transplant waiting list every eight minutes.

One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 others through organ, eye and tissue donation, per the Health Resources and Services Administration, making it the ultimate lifesaving and life-changing gift.

On Wednesday, April 16, South Texas Health System Edinburg helped raise awareness about the significance of organ donation and encouraged Rio Grande Valley residents to register as organ, eye and tissue donors by hosting a special Donate Life Month flag-raising ceremony.

During the event, which also honored those who have given patients in need a second chance at life, Rosie Valdez spoke about her daughter’s decision to become an organ donor.

“When my Regina was hospitalized, my husband and I were asked if we wanted to donate her organs, and we were unsure. But, once we did some research and opted to do so, we soon discovered that she was already a registered donor, so it felt good to know that she wanted to save lives,” says Rosie, whose schoolteacher daughter was able to donate her kidneys and corneas after her passing at the age of 32. “With organ donation, you’re helping so much more than one person. You’re helping families, friends and entire communities. I don’t believe people really comprehend how significant that is.”

Despite the importance of organ donation, the demand far exceeds the available supply. Sadly, 16 eligible patients die each day waiting for an organ to become available. The only way to overcome the organ shortage is to encourage more people to become organ donors.

“Organ donation saved my life. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for James [donor],” says Michael Anaya, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2020 after years of dialysis treatment. “I remember all those months in the hospital and years on dialysis – I went into a deep depression. But then, one day, my family got a call that there was a kidney for me and everything changed. I was able to graduate high school, and I am now learning how to drive. Organ donation is truly something life changing.”

Following a special ceremony in the hospital’s main lobby, attendees signed a commemorative Donate Life flag, which Rosie and Michael helped raise over the STHS Edinburg campus.

“Today’s ceremony is so important for these families who have contributed to and benefitted from organ donation as well as for the communities we serve,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “South Texas Health System is proud to work with the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance, the San Antonio Eye Bank and the Texas Donor Network to spread the message of organ, eye and tissue donation.”

To continue the momentum and inspire others to register to become organ, eye and tissue donors, STHS will be hosting a final flag-raising ceremony later this month taking place at STHS Heart on Tuesday, April 30, at 10:00 a.m.

To learn more about becoming an organ donor or to register, visit donatelifetexas.org.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.