Donate Life raises awareness for tissue, organ donation
The University of Maryland Medical Center and Infinite Legacy raised a flag Tuesday to honor organ and tissue donors and raise awareness of organ donation.There are more than 100,000 patients awaiting organ transplants nationwide, including some 4,000 people from Maryland and the Washington, D.C., area.Krista Jacobs reflected on her second chance at life after sudden kidney failure forced her to give up playing on her softball team and undergo dialysis while awaiting a new kidney.”I received a kidney transplant in 2022,” Jacobs said. “Today, I am filled with gratitude and hope. My transplant is still thriving, thanks to a kind, selfless individual. Every day, I’m reminded of the impact of organ donation.”More than 40 people applied to be a living donor for Jacobs, including Stacy McDonough. She is the mother of one of Jacobs’ teammates, and she turned out to be a match, resulting in a successful transplant.UMMC said it has been a remarkable year for organ transplantation.”Together, across both our campuses, we have 59 organ donors — the highest number in our area accounted for more than 20% of all organ donors across the 68 hospitals within Infinite Legacy’s network,” said Dr. Kristie Snedeker, vice president of Shock Trauma.”Infinite Legacy is an organ procurement organization that covers all of Maryland and the metro D.C. area, serving the population here to make sure that organ donation happens through the region,” said Emily Cullen, who is the director of hospital services for Infinite Legacy.Jacobs, 19, said she has been doing well since her transplant.”I’ve been keeping up with my medication and taking care of myself,” Jacobs said. “I’m still just a normal girl working in a doggy day care and pursuing my education to become a veterinarian at community college.”
The University of Maryland Medical Center and Infinite Legacy raised a flag Tuesday to honor organ and tissue donors and raise awareness of organ donation.
There are more than 100,000 patients awaiting organ transplants nationwide, including some 4,000 people from Maryland and the Washington, D.C., area.
Krista Jacobs reflected on her second chance at life after sudden kidney failure forced her to give up playing on her softball team and undergo dialysis while awaiting a new kidney.
“I received a kidney transplant in 2022,” Jacobs said. “Today, I am filled with gratitude and hope. My transplant is still thriving, thanks to a kind, selfless individual. Every day, I’m reminded of the impact of organ donation.”
More than 40 people applied to be a living donor for Jacobs, including Stacy McDonough. She is the mother of one of Jacobs’ teammates, and she turned out to be a match, resulting in a successful transplant.
UMMC said it has been a remarkable year for organ transplantation.
“Together, across both our campuses, we have 59 organ donors — the highest number in our area accounted for more than 20% of all organ donors across the 68 hospitals within Infinite Legacy’s network,” said Dr. Kristie Snedeker, vice president of Shock Trauma.
“Infinite Legacy is an organ procurement organization that covers all of Maryland and the metro D.C. area, serving the population here to make sure that organ donation happens through the region,” said Emily Cullen, who is the director of hospital services for Infinite Legacy.
Jacobs, 19, said she has been doing well since her transplant.
“I’ve been keeping up with my medication and taking care of myself,” Jacobs said. “I’m still just a normal girl working in a doggy day care and pursuing my education to become a veterinarian at community college.”
link
