CORE Raises New Flag at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital
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An emotional flag-raising ceremony at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital for the Center for Organ Recovery and Education on Wednesday honored organ donors and recipients during National Donate Life Month.
Organ recipient Todd Hood raised the flag alongside Barbara Jones, whose son Koury Jones was able to provide a liver for Hood after he passed away at the end of July 2023.
At the ceremony, Hood said he was "living proof" of the benefits of organ donation, as the autoimmune disease vanishing bowl duct syndrome had caused him to need a liver replacement twice.
After becoming "very sick" in March 2023 after his first liver replacement, Hood was relieved that he only had to wait three months after being put on the organ donor list because he was a match with Jones' liver.
"It was a tough road," said Hood. "I had to go to therapy to walk before, and now, thanks to organ donation, I am good to go back to work. I thank God every day this was able to happen."
Barbara Jones emphasized that "everything possible" was done to ensure Hood was able to get her son's liver, as she and Hood had been friends and coworkers for over 20 years at Wheeling Hospital.
"It was a blessing that Todd could get his liver," said Jones. "It's helped to know that even though I lost somebody so near and dear to me, someone that I've known for years was able to heal. It was like a miracle that they were a match."
Donor mother Jody Miller, who was also present at the ceremony, recalled how the passing of her daughter, Heather Miller, in 2008 was made less painful by her organ donor status. Heather Miller's heart, kidney, liver and other tissues "enhanced the lives of over 50 people," noted Jody Miller.
"During our tragedy, and one of the most horrible times in our life when we were burying our daughter, somebody else got the gift of life," said Miller. "We encourage anyone and their loved ones to check that box and become an organ donor."
Hood also encourages anyone to "just check the box," adding that one never knows when their family member could be the one on a waiting list to receive an organ that will save their life.
"It's amazing what organ donation can do, as not only livers or hearts can be provided, but bone marrow and skin as well," said Hood. "When someone checks that box, so many people will benefit."