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Statistics show that there are 110 million registered organ donors in the United States.
Of that total, 2.1 million call Louisiana home.
Terrebonne General Medical Center would like to see those numbers increase. They are using National Donate Life Month, which ran throughout April to champion their cause.
The hospital hosted a flag raising ceremony last Tuesday to honor the month-long celebration of those who commit to organ donation.
Throughout the hour-long ceremony, which commenced with a balloon release to honor those affected by organ donation, family members shared their stories about how organ donation impacted their lives.
“TGMC is committed to the Donate Life Louisiana Campaign and is a proud advocate for organ, tissue and eye donation,” hospital President and CEO Phyllis Peoples said. “Our employees understand and support how this extraordinary gift of life can dramatically change the recipient’s quality of life, while also helping the donor families heal in the process.”
One of the people who shared his story at the event was Troy Danos – the father of the late Dylan Danos.
Dylan Danos battled cystic fibrosis from his earliest days – an ailment that forced the teenager to make a life-altering decision at a young age: either get a double lung transplant or never be able to breath or enjoy a normal life.
Troy Danos said he will never forget the day that Dylan got the surgery and took his first clean breathes with his new lungs.
It’s a moment he said he’ll remember forever – a time he believes anyone struggling through illness deserves to experience.
“I remember when he got out of the surgery, Dylan looked at me and he said, ‘Dad, for the first time in my life, I finally know what it’s like to take a breathe,’” Troy Danos said. “That is what organ donation can do to a person’s life.”
Danos said his son wanted to be a voice for organ donation and the things that it could do for a person’s life.
Dylan passed away shortly after his transplant because of an infection.
But the father said he has made it his goal to continue to spread his son’s message.
“Dylan’s dream, unfortunately was unable to be fulfilled,” Troy Danos said. “But I am here to follow in my son’s footsteps.”
In addition to the story of the Danos family, other families shared their stories about the benefits of organ donation.
Terrebonne Councilwoman Arlanda Williams was one of those in attendance to share her testimonial.
The local politician said that she supports organ donation because her father is a product of its benefits – he received two kidneys through a donor.
She said that she urges everyone to sign up to donate when registering for their driver’s license – the easiest way to become a donor.
Williams said she urges people to make the decision themselves, because if something happens and the decision is left to the deceased’s family, it is a much more difficult process.
“My family has been blessed by this,” Williams said. “We have not had any signs of rejection. He probably is even stronger today than he ever was before.”
Following the testimonials, those in attendance picked up a colored balloon and etched the name of a family member who had been touched by organ donation onto the front.
The balloons were all collectively released into the Louisiana sky as a symbol of the area’s commitment to life.
“You never realize the importance of this until it touches you,” Williams said. “You never realize how personal this will be until it touches your life. Organ and tissue donation is something we all need to focus on. … You never know when you’re going to be on the other side of it.”
Families of organ donors or those who have received organs release their balloons into the air during last Tuesday’s Terrebonne General Medical Center Ceremony to honor National Donate Life Month.
