South Central Regional Medical Center Recognized for Organ Donation Practices

Currently, more than 124,000 people in America are waiting for organ transplants. Each day nearly 22 people die waiting for an organ transplant that would have given them a second chance at life. In addition, each year hundreds of thousands of people benefit from donated tissue and corneal grafts that are used for life-saving, sight restoring and reconstructive purposes. South Central Regional Medical Center (SCRMC) is pleased to be named a Hospital of Excellence by the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA).

“SCRMC has received numerous awards for its work in organ donation with MORA,” said Roger Wynne, RN, Director of Intensive Care at SCRMC. “We have received awards for the most supportive organ and tissue hospital award, as well as a national recognition for achieving national organ donation performance standards. South Central is one of ten hospitals in the state that received this honor.”

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), more than 500,000 people have received transplants in the United States, with over 28,000 receiving the gift of life each year.

Local community leader, Judi Holifield, recently discussed the impact of organ donation. “My husband passed away several months ago. He worked in the medical community for several years and was a registered organ donor. He knew the importance of being an organ donor, so because he was registered, we were prepared at his passing. Through his donation, two people were granted the gift of sight, and others received tissue and skin donations.”

Wynne continued by stating that one donor can have a significant impact on the lives of others. “When a person registers as an organ donor, their donation can help to save the lives of up to eight people. Then, through tissue donation, they can touch another 100 people. Through one person, 108 people’s lives can be drastically changed. Organ donation saves lives.”

SCRMC and MORA encourage all family members to have conversations about end-of-life decisions. “It is important to discuss your loved ones wants, because you never know whose life you may touch in the future,” states Wynne.

“Death is a subject that many do not like to discuss, but we all will face death,” stated Holifield. “It is important for potential donors to know they are treated as respectfully as possible,” she concluded.

South Central Regional Medical Center and MORA encourages everyone to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation. To register as a donor, please visit DonateLifeMS.org.

The Family of Neil Holifield, organ donor.