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WVU Medicine Recognizes ‘Donate Life Month’ at Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale

Emma Delk

An organ donor and an organ recipient shared their story of how organ donation changed their lives during a National Donate Life Month ceremony held by the Center for Organ Recovery and Education and WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital.

Tuesday's flag-raising event and subsequent presentation was the second of two held in April by CORE and WVU Medicine to spread awareness of the importance and benefits of organ donation.

After being diagnosed with stage 5 renal disease in September 2001, Jennifer Brueck was added to multiple kidney transplant lists and was in limbo for more than 20 years "waiting for that life-saving call." Instead of a call, Brueck received a text from Marie Mascio, who overheard Brueck's frustration and pain while getting her hair done at the same salon.

"Hearing Jen's story, my heart just ached for her, and I knew without a doubt that I was her match," recalled Mascio. "When I left the hair salon, I cried for hours, and then I sent my husband a text message saying, 'We have to talk.'"

When Brueck was informed that Mascio was a match and willing to donate her kidney to her, she described being in a state of "shock and disbelief" that a stranger would be willing to do that for her. Brueck successfully received Mascio's kidney on April 10 of last year, with the two celebrating the upcoming one-year anniversary of that transplant.

After the transplant, Brueck said her life has changed "drastically," as she was taken off dialysis and is able to maintain a more active lifestyle.

"I have more energy now," said Brueck. "It's like I got a second chance at life, and I can finally look towards the future. Not only have I gained a new life, I've gained a new family as Maria and her family have taken my family in as their own and vice versa."

Though the organ donation was a pivotal event in both women's lives, Mascio had not been a registered organ donor before the procedure. She explained she had fallen victim to "some of the myths" surrounding organ donor status, including the misconception that first responders would not take care of someone in an accident if they were a registered organ donor.

"I'm older and wiser now, so yesterday, I made it official and registered as an organ donor at the DMV," noted Mascio on Tuesday. "Anyone uncertain about registering as an organ donor should research and become educated on the organ donation process."

CORE WV Community Outreach Coordinator Cheryl King described organ donation as "the last gift you can give before you leave this earth."

WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Tony Martinelli is thrilled to have a Donate Life Flag flying outside Reynolds Hospital. He explained that their partnership with CORE is to help support and bring awareness to an "incredible process."

"Organ donation brings so many incredible stories like the one we heard today," said Martinelli after Tuesday's ceremony. It's incredible to hear about folks who decide to give the gift of life to someone else. It's very rewarding for clinicians and hospitals to be a part of that incredible process."