Tower Health Encourages Individuals to Register as an Organ, Tissue, and Cornea Donor
West Reading, PA. – Each day, 20 people in the United States die while waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Tower Health is pleased to join the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and Gift of Life Donor Program to encourage individuals to register to become organ, tissue, and cornea donors. All seven Tower Health hospitals in Berks, Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties will be participating in the campaign. This includes Reading Hospital, Brandywine Hospital, Chestnut Hill Hospital, Jennersville Hospital, Phoenixville Hospital, Pottstown Hospital, and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Reading Hospital has participated in the Donate Life Campaign since 2016, previously achieving Titanium status in 2019. The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of registered organ donor designations in the state registry.
“As a health system reaching four counties across southeastern Pennsylvania, we are in a unique position to inspire our communities and educate them about the pressing need for organ and tissue donations,” said Mary Agnew, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Tower Health. “The more people we can encourage to become organ donors, the better we can serve as leaders and advocate for the health of our entire region and change the lives of those waiting for a transplant.”
As part of its commitment to bring high quality medical care to the community, Tower Health recently established the Tower Health Transplant Institute featuring a nationally recognized team of transplant surgeons, physicians, and staff.
“As a transplant surgeon, I see the need for organ donations firsthand,” said David J. Reich, MD, Medical Director, Tower Health Transplant Institute. “Nationally, nearly 112,000 people are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant, exceeding the number of organs that are donated. Organ donors save lives and I encourage everyone who is able to become a registered organ donor.”
Individuals are encouraged to talk with family members and friends about registering as a donor. One donor can help up to 75 people. To sign up, visit www.donors1.org.
Some important facts about organ, tissue, and cornea donation:
- Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.
- More than 5,000 patients in the region await life-saving organ transplants. Thousands of others could benefit from life-enhancing tissue transplants.
- Only 49.4 percent of registered drivers in Pennsylvania have designated themselves as organ and tissue donors.
- All major religions in the U.S. support organ donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.
- Someone is added to the organ transplant list every 10 minutes.
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