3/31/2009
April 1 ceremony at transportation department to mark National Donate Life Month
BOISE - In celebration of many Idahoans' Gift of Life and to increase awareness of the importance of organ donation, the Idaho Transportation Department will host a ceremony designating April as National Donate Life Month.
The ceremony will occur Wednesday, April 1, at noon, at the transportation department headquarters, 3311 W. State St., in Boise.
"Idaho is ranked in the top 10 of its citizens willing to donate organs," ITD Director Pamela Lowe said. "Becoming an organ donor is one of the most selfless gifts you can give. It is not surprising Idahoans lead the way in making this compassionate donation."
Joining Lowe at the ceremony will be Veronica Calton-Hughes, the mother of Jake Calton-Hughes, a young man whose tragic car accident led to the saving of four people's lives and restored sight to two others because of his donated organs.
Also attending the ceremony will be Dolores Macias, of Boise, who recently donated a kidney that led to a six donor, paired exchange that enabled six people to get kidney transplants; Teri Snider, representative of Visual Effects Salons in Boise and Garden City, who is promoting organ donation with her clients; and Alex McDonald from the Intermountain Donor Services organization.
More than 100,000 people are waiting for a life saving transplant nationwide. In Idaho, more than 300 people are waiting for a transplant.
For interviews, or further information about the April 1 event, please contact Alex McDonald, 1-800-833-6667, office, or 801-599-9937, cell.