Tuesday, April 19
April 18, 2011
Floyd Henry
April 20, 2011
“They asked me if I wanted to say anything. I’m not sure that I can,” said board chairman Mike Voisin, as his voice choked with emotion, and Terrebonne General Medical Center dedicated its Wall of Heroes, honoring 50 people who have been organ and tissue donors.
The dedication and unveiling of the corridor wall of honor was presented to a standing room only crowd at the new bistro inside the facility women’s center, which is still under construction.
During the presentation it was noted that 1,800 Louisiana residents are currently on waiting lists for organ and tissue donations, 106,000 in the United States, and that TGMC has been able to save 86 lives, according to TGMC CEO Phyllis Peoples.
“TGMC has always played an active role in organ donation,” Peoples said. “We realize the impact it has had on donor families and recipients. It is because of our passion that we have taken the initiative to construct the Wall of Heroes as a wonderful remembrance of donors from our community.”
One hero remembered was Robyn Doiron, who when she first received a driver’s license checked on the back that she wanted to be an organ donor. According to her sister, Rachel, Dorian was killed in an automobile accident in 2004 and 20 years after making the choice to be a donor she was able to extend life to others. Several members of other families in attendance had similar stories.
TGMC is part of the Donate Life Louisiana Hospital Campaign, which was the first statewide donor registration initiative in the nation. In 2010, TGMC achieved a goal of securing 250,000 donors by July of that year.
“This is our first event [of this kind],” Peoples said. “We are so honored to unveil the Wall of Heroes to recognize these incredible men, women and children, who gave the gift of life through organ, tissue and or eye donations.”
Terrebonne Parish Councilwoman Arlanda Williams was on hand to present a proclamation that designated April as organ donor month, while relatives or donors told their stories to one another and the assembly as a whole. There was not much more Voisin could have said.
Terrebonne General Medical Center dedicated its Wall of Heroes honoring those persons who offered organs or tissue so others could continue their lives. The family of Robyn Doiron was among the many families of donors present for a dedication ceremony. MIKE NIXON
