South Carolina Donor Families Attend National Ceremony in D.C.

Three South Carolina donor families joined organ and tissue donor families from throughout the United States at the 10th National Donor Recognition Ceremony and Workshop in Washington, D.C. on July 20-22, 2007. Attendees included Rosealyce Carpenter, whose husband Donald was an Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation tissue donor, Jerry Griffin whose daughter Laura was an organ donor, and Oregon Coward whose son Sheldon was an organ donor. Oregon was accompanied by her sister Shirlee Anderson. Cathy Blalock, a counselor with LifePoint Donor Family Services, accompanied the donor families.

The donor families enjoyed a visit to Richmond, Va., for a walking tour of the Donor Memorial Garden and Wall at the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). In D.C., each person attended several workshops that dealt with the loss of a loved one and the process of healing that follows.

The following day, Rosealyce was chosen to light the candles as the donor recognition ceremony began. Each family walked to the front of the room, shared the name of their loved one and received a memorial medal and a candle. Oregon held up a photo of her son as she received her gift. Jerry’s daughter Beth walked up to receive their gift in memory of Laura, with Laura’s heart recipient by her side.

The moving ceremony was moderated by RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu, MD, MPH, Acting Surgeon General of the U. S., who is also a donor family. Through tears and hugs, each family was able to return home with lasting memories.