April is Donate Life Month, a time to celebrate the legacy and impact of organ donors, share information about organ donation, and register to be a donor yourself.

You will see the Donate Life flag, which is normally raised in recognition of a recent donation at our facility, proudly flying outside UPMC Western Maryland all month long.

In partnership with the Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland, an organ procurement organization serving our state, UPMC Western Maryland has had the honor of assisting with four organ donation gifts just since the start of 2021.​

One selfless choice, from these patients and their families, equates to eight lives saved via transplants.

Additionally, there have been eight tissue and eye donations so far this year.

These gifts are profoundly generous, and we pause to thank donors and donor families for helping others in need.

Hospital staff at UPMC Western Maryland also play an impactful role in the process.

When the best medical care and interventions possible have been exhausted, and a patient is not able to recover, nurses and unit staff are the empathetic guides to refer eligible individuals to consider and choose organ donation.

While April’s Donate Life month designation makes it the perfect time to recognize their contributions, our hospital staff continues this work year-round; educating, encouraging, and assisting with organ donations.

We are proud and share our sincerest thanks to our staff for their work with this important cause.​