Hospital Champions for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Recognized

More than 170 Ohioans died in 2012 when a lifesaving organ could not be found in time for transplant. Donate Life Ohio, the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) and the Ohio Department of Health’s Second Chance Trust Fund recognized 57 Ohio hospitals that are working to decrease that number during 2013 by participating in the 2012-2013 Hospital Champions program aimed at increasing organ, eye and tissue donor registration. The hospitals were recognized during the 2013 OHA Annual Meeting on June 11, 2013.

“Currently, more than 118,000 people nationwide – more than 3,400 of them from Ohio – await a lifesaving organ transplant,” said Dr. Ted Wymyslo, Director of the Ohio Department of Health. “Collectively, the 57 Hospital Champions we recognized sponsored more than 750 activities and programs to educate Ohio communiites about organ, eye,and tissue donation. By registering new donors, these institutions will save lives and help reduce the time critically ill patients must wait for a second chance at life.”

“Research shows that hospitals are one of the most credible sources for information on donation and donor registration,” said Mike Abrams, OHA President and CEO. “With more than 350,000 people working in Ohio hospitals, we have the potential to significantly increase donor registration and thus save lives. We commend and thank all of this year’s partners, and invite every Ohio hospital and transplant center to join us for the 2013-2014 program, which kicks off today.”

Wood County Hospital was recognized in as a 2012-2013 Hospital Champion in the Silver Partner category for Community/Midsize Hospitals.

For more information about organ donations, please visit www.donatelifeohio.org .