Boone Memorial Hospital Celebrates National Donate Life Month with Flag Raising Ceremony and Blue &

April is designated as National Donate Life Month. In order to honor local organ, tissue and cornea donors and recipients Boone Memorial Hospital partnered with CORE (Center for Organ Recovery & Education) and held a Flag Raising Ceremony at BMH on April 8th. In additional to the Flag Raising Ceremony, Boone Memorial Hospital staff wore blue and green on April 15th to celebrate National Donate Life Blue & Green Day.

Flag Raising Ceremony speakers included kidney recipients Joe McClure and Mark Hale of Madison and heart transplant recipient Alicia Renee Petry of Comfort along with Boone Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Virgil Underwood, Boone Memorial Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Terri Castle and the Center for Organ Recovery & Education Chief Operating Officer, Kurt Shutterly.

“The testimonials were so empowering,” said BMH Chief Nursing Officer Terri Castle. “To see how their lives were literally saved from organ donation and to hear their personal journey was wonderful.”

“It’s important we as a hospital support Donate Life Month, which is why we hold events annually to engage our staff and community. We want people to understand the process and importance of becoming a donor,” said hospital CEO, Virgil Underwood. “One donation can save up to 75 lives.”

The event was held in the Boone Memorial Hospital lobby. CORE representatives were present to educate staff and the community. Guests enjoyed moving testimonials from several recipients in addition to scheduled speakers. To name a few: (Lee Jones, husband of BMH Physician Assistant Heather Jones, Betty Prager Bias, mother of former BMH Pharmacy staff, Terri Bias Tudor and Lori Mullens (BMH Pulmonary Rehabilitation) spoke on behalf of her family/recipient).

“I was amazed at how many people in our small community and right here at BMH have been impacted by organ donation, either as a donor or recipient,” said Karlie Belle Price, BMH Marketing & Public Relations Director.

In addition to the testimonials, guests enjoyed cake and refreshments followed by a Flag Raising Ceremony. Boone Memorial Hospital Maintenance Director Mike Fankhauser raised the Donate Life Month Flag while Cherri Foxx Price of Madison sang Bette Midler’s ‘Wind Beneath my Wings.’ Organ, tissue and cornea donors and recipients each received a gift on behalf of the hospital.

“Events like these are the cornerstone of our awareness efforts. They encourage us to take time out of our busy lives to unite for a powerful cause. They bring a face to the thousands of people across our region who believes in the power of donation. And they remind us that when we work together, anything is possible,” concluded Kurt Shutterly, CORE COO.

View Flag Raising Ceremony Album HERE

View National Blue & Green Day Album HERE

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