National Donate Life Month is observed each year in April as part of an effort to raise awareness of the need for organ donations and to encourage everyone to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. The observance is also a celebration of those who have saved lives by becoming donors.
On April 20th, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and LiveOnNY, hosted a special flag raising ceremony to pay tribute to organ donor families and recipients. The event’s special guest of honor was Giraldo Vega, father of Anthony Ruben Vega.
Anthony became an angel in 2009 at the age of 11, after complications caused by hydrocephalus ended his life. His father shared how remarkable his son was, “Since he was a baby he loved to sing and dance. He loved to perform and you could always expect a show.”
When Anthony passed away, Mr. Vega learned about other families’ need for organ donations and decided he needed to make a difference. “If Anthony could save one life — one family from losing their son, daughter or family member — what better way to give a performance of a lifetime? Our decision to donate his organs not only saved one person’s life but three,” he informed reporters attending the event.
While the loss of his son has been difficult, Mr. Vega takes pride in knowing that Anthony’s legacy continues in the lives of others he helped to save.
Anthony’s story deeply resonated with Jamaica Hospital Executive Vice President and COO, William Lynch, who has been a staunch supporter and advocate for organ donation. Mr. Lynch thanked the Vega family for giving the gift of life. He went on to speak about lives that were saved earlier that week, thanks to an organ donor at Jamaica Hospital who donated a liver and two kidneys. It is for this reason-the ability to save lives- that Jamaica Hospital encourages everyone in its community to register as organ donors. One donor can save up to eight lives.
Recently, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that due to the coordinated efforts of organizations such as LiveOnNY and Jamaica Hospital over 5 million New Yorkers have enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry as donors.
Our hospital will continue to work tirelessly to raise awareness for organ donation and help further increase the number of registrants to the New York State Donate Life Registry. To learn more about becoming a donor, visit www. donatelife.ny.gov