WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital Marks National Donate Life Month
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In 2017, Amanda Jenkins was in desperate need of new lungs. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant, Jenkins would suffer through her right lung collapsing 10 times in her life, her lung function dwindling to just 27%.
But it was that year that a pair of new lungs would come her way and, after a successful double-lung transplant, Jenkins has been able to enjoy life and her family ever since.
"I've been able to watch my little girl grow into a beautiful, talented young lady who is now six inches taller than me," she said. "Her chin can now rest from my head. I celebrated 20 years of marriage to my college sweetheart, the man who slept in the uncomfortable hospital recliners, placed a hole in the waiting room floors, and his presence made me feel safer in the scariest times."
WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital celebrated both the triumphs of those who have received organ and tissue donations -- as well as the gifts the donors of those organs and tissues have provided -- during a Friday ceremony at the hospital honoring National Donate Life Month.
Hospital staff and administrators joined representatives from the Center for Organ Recovery and Education, along with donor recipients and their families, to celebrate the month, which helps raise awareness about organ donation and encourages others to become organ and tissue donors.
CORE Professional Services Liaison Donna Wauthier said the theme for this year's National Donate Life Month was "Let Life Sing," inspired by the songs of spring and the beauty of birds.
"Birds have long symbolized renewal and hope across cultures," she said. "Their songs are some of the most welcome signs that a new season has begun. In the same way, donation is a powerful symbol of life, hope and community to the more than 100,000 people nationwide awaiting a lifesaving gift."
WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital played an integral part in helping distribute those gifts in 2024. Wauthier said that, last year, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital five organ donors from the hospital helped 15 recipients, and as many as 2,925 tissue and 56 cornea recipients were helped by 39 tissue and 29 cornea donors at the hospital.
"It's a beautiful reminder of how one act of generosity can truly take flight with us this April," said Douglass Harrison, regional president for WVU Medicine. "Regardless of age, race, medical history, everyone has the potential to be a lifesaving donor."
A flag-raising ceremony was scheduled for Friday, but inclement weather kept the ceremony indoors.
Jenkins' transplant story wasn't done after her lung transplant. Her anti-rejection drugs led her to need a kidney transplant as well in 2019.
"Both of these transplants have given me eight more years with my family," Jenkins said. "There have been ups and downs, but I'm grateful everyday for this second chance of life thanks to the God I serve and the generosity of two women who believed in the power of organ donation."
Guests also heard the story of Denise Johnson and Michele Wolgemuth. Wolgemuth had suffered from a genetic kidney disease and needed a transplant. Her coworker and longtime friend Johnson became her donor.
"For every donor, their life song continues echoing through the beating hearts, the seeing eyes and the healed lives of those they have touched here in this hospital," Wauthier said.