For Immediate Release                                                             

December 2, 2009

Contact: 

Ashley Davis

1-800-200-2672

adavis@carolinadonorservices.org

Six Local Hospitals Win the Medal of Honor for Organ Donation

HHS Recognizes Hospitals with Highest Organ Donation Rates

Durham, North Carolina – (December 2, 2009)… The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently presented awards to 428 of the nation’s hospitals, including six local hospitals. UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, WakeMed in Raleigh, New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, and Moses H Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro were recognized for their success in increasing the number of organs available for transplantation.

These hospitals and their affiliated Organ Procurement Organization, Carolina Donor Services,  were presented with a Medal of Honor for Organ Donation at the Fifth National Learning Congress for the Donation and Transplantation Community of Practice held in Grapevine, Texas, from September 30th to October 1st.

HRSA’s Donation and Transplantation Community of Practice brings together donation and transplantation professionals and hospital leaders to identify and share best practices to integrate organ donation into hospitals’ end-of-life care.  This year’s event recognizes the importance of including donor designation specialists in hospitals’ efforts to increase donation rates at their facilities.  "Today we honor the partners who have collectively demonstrated extraordinary acts of humanity," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H. "We are humbled to recognize these public health stewards who offer such profound service to society.”

The commitment of the individuals and organizations comprising the Community of Practice has helped make possible the transplant of 3,088 more organs from deceased donors in 2008 than in 2003.

About Carolina Donor Services

Carolina Donor Services is the federally-designated, non-profit organ and tissue donation organization serving 6.1 million people in 78 counties of North Carolina and Danville, Virginia.  Carolina Donor Services maximizes the passing of the heroic gift of life from one human being to another through organ and tissue donation.  In North Carolina, over 3,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and nationally, over 105,000 people are on the organ waiting list.  For more information, visit www.carolinadonorservices.org; call 1-800-200-2672 or write 3621 Lyckan Parkway, Durham, NC 27707.

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