slideshow

POINT PLEASANT — Pleasant Valley Hospital recently commemorated National Organ Donation Month in April which included a ceremony to recognize those who give the ultimate gift.

The kickoff ceremony and flag raising were held in the hospital’s main lobby. Pleasant Valley Hospital employees, friends, donor families and recipients were in attendance.

“Celebrating the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donors is something very special. It is very important to us to see through the final wishes of our donors,” said Tom Schauer, CEO.

“One of our very memorable days here at Pleasant Valley Hospital was the day when the family of Mildred Shields agreed to give the gift of life when she passed away. Because of this decision, a 60-year old woman received Shields’ kidney in a Charleston, West Virginia hospital, and a 56-year old man received her liver in a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based hospital,” further stated Tom Schauer, CEO.

Obviously, when a family is facing the loss of a loved one, they are dealing with one of the most difficult moments in their lives. Pleasant Valley Hospital’s Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) liaison, Katy Larck, the PVH Staff, and CORE Representatives work closely with these families with the goal of honoring and respecting their wishes as they contemplate the life-saving gift that their loved one can give to someone else. Through Mildred’s gifts, two individuals in need of a life-saving transplant were given hope and a second chance at life.

The team at Pleasant Valley Hospital is very honored and proud to be part of such an important process of carrying out someone’s final wishes and giving the gift of life. The team made a commitment and accepted a challenge by joining hospitals across the state of West Virginia in the Donate Life Challenge.

During the months of April through August, Pleasant Valley Hospital staff and volunteers will encourage family members and friends to make the pledge to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor. Each person that signs up to become a donor can help up to 50 people through organ, tissue and cornea donation. For more information about becoming an organ donor, please stop by or call 304-675-4340 and ask to speak to the Auxiliary.

During 2012, Pleasant Valley Hospital was also awarded the Governor’s Award for Life for Cornea Donation by the West Virginia Hospital Association and Donate Life West Virginia. Pleasant Valley Hospital is among others who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in organ, tissue and eye donation.