STHS To Kick Off Systemwide National Donate Life Month Commemorations With Special Candlelight Vigil At McAllen

In partnership with TOSA, the Texas Donor Network and the San Antonio Eye Bank, the annual vigil will highlight the importance of organ donation while honoring those who have selflessly given the gift of life

In the United States, there are currently 104,619 men, women and children on the organ transplant waiting list, per the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), with one more person added to the roll every eight minutes.

Considered one of the great advances in modern medicine, organ transplantation offers a second chance at life for individuals of all ages who have life-threatening conditions that impair the function of vital organs and put their lives in jeopardy.

Additionally, tissues like corneas, tendons and bones can enhance the lives of patients in need by helping restore sight, movement and other physical functions.

Every donor can save up to eight lives and enhance 75 more, per the Health Resources and Services Administration, making organ donation a life-giving, life-enhancing gift.

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

This National Donate Life Month, which is observed annually in April, South Texas Health System is helping raise awareness of the significance of organ donation and encouraging Rio Grande Valley residents to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.

“In addition to spreading awareness about the importance of organ donation, Donate Life Month allows us to commemorate those noble individuals who’ve given patients in need a new lease on life,” says Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “Remembering and honoring their selfless act and highlighting those lives they’ve touched through the gift of life is important to ensure their legacy of selflessness lives on and empowers others to take action to help save lives.”

To kick off its Donate Life Month commemorations, STHS will host a special candlelight vigil in the STHS McAllen parking lot on Wednesday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m.

Held in partnership with the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), the Texas Donor Network and the San Antonio Eye Bank, the event will include the participation of individuals whose lives have been forever changed through the power of organ donation, including recipients and family members of donors.

The National Donate Life Month Candlelight Vigil is the first of three events taking place at STHS facilities during the month of April. Flag-raising ceremonies will take place at STHS Edinburg on Wednesday, April 16 at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday, April 30 at 10:00 a.m. at STHS Heart.

The event is open to the community and attendees are encouraged to wear blue and green, the official colors for National Donate Life Month, to promote the importance of registering as an eye, organ and tissue donor.

For more information on the event, visit the STHS Facebook events page.

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.