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Encouraging organ, tissue donation |
A Green Chair Event was held at Henry County Hospital Monday as local individuals who have had their lives touched by organ donation, hospital personnel and individuals from Life Connection of Ohio gathered to increase awareness.
Kara Steele, director of community relations for Life Connection of Ohio, stated there are 112,000 people waiting for transplants in the United States, including 3,400 in Ohio. Eighteen people die every day throughout the country waiting for a transplant and that translates to one person dying every other day in Ohio.
Despite his youth, Aaron Kessler saw the bigger picture.
The 19-year-old who died Sunday of injuries from a motorcycle accident always knew he wanted to be an organ donor. Staff at Summa Akron City Hospital told Kessler's family his gift saved six lives.
"He told his dad to make sure that they do this," said George Ann Kessler, the teen's aunt. "They kept him on life support until they could get the people in for organ removal."
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Opera singer awaiting second double lung transplant inspires awareness |
She's performed in some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, but since Christmas Eve, she's been waiting for her second double lung transplant at Cleveland Clinic.
The beautiful soprano sound Charity Tillemann-Dick's voice produces, comes from the lungs of an organ donor. Pulmonary Hypertension required the opera singer to undergo a double lung transplant in 2009.
Since then, she's performed globally and even found time to get married, but now her lungs are failing and she needs a second transplant.
Despite his youth, Aaron Kessler saw the bigger picture.
The 19-year-old who died Sunday of injuries from a motorcycle accident always knew he wanted to be an organ donor. Staff at Summa Akron City Hospital told Kessler's family his gift saved six lives.
"He told his dad to make sure that they do this," said George Ann Kessler, the teen's aunt. "They kept him on life support until they could get the people in for organ removal."
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Donate Life Ohio Public Service Announcements |
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The Green Chair encourages Ohioans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. Stay tuned for our public service announcements on TV and online. They feature everyday Ohioans who have been touched by organ, eye and tissue donation.
Don't Let Another Chair Go Empty. Register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor at DonateLifeOhio.org. Do It Now!
 
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