Singing River Health System raises awareness for organ donation

In Gulfport, Singing River Health System employees gathered to raise awareness for organ donation as part of National Donate Life Month.

In the U.S., over 100,000 people are still waiting on a lifesaving organ transplant which makes raising awareness for organ donation that important and at Singing River Hospital in Gulfport, they’re doing just that. Sonny Soileau with the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency said, “People need to talk about donation. Talk to your families about organ donation, find out how your family members feel and let them know how you feel about donation. When we get a call that a patient’s on their deathbed and we have to go talk to their family, it’s a difficult decision for them to make if they’ve never discussed it.”

Last year, over 33,000 people received an organ transplant.

Singing River Health System assisted in three organ donation cases in 2023, accounting for eight lives saved through the gift of life.

Across three campuses, the Singing River Hospital System raised ‘donate life’ flags honoring organ, eye, and tissue donors and celebrating those who have been recipients in the community.

Susanne Gill, whose father was a recipient of a heart transplant which prolonged his life, says nothing is more precious than another chance at life. “Hugely humbling experience to realize that someone that you don’t know, someone that had no idea but selflessly gave organs that they knew they would no longer need before which in turn changed our lives as a family. And it makes me realize that we need to live our lives to honor not only that gift that we received as a family and tell others and give them the opportunity to be a part but also in honoring God in what we do every day.”