Statewide events and remembrances bring attention to lifesaving gift of donation
Covington, LA]— LOPA is joining with its Donate Life Louisiana partners to increase awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation with special events throughout April, including hospital flag raisings and butterfly releases, donor drives, and lighting displays at iconic Louisiana buildings.
With over 2,100 Louisianians currently on the organ transplant waiting list, LOPA CEO Kelly Ranum said there is an urgent need for people to join the state’s donor registry. “Donate Life Month is an opportunity to remind everyone of their ability to help Make Life Happen. Registering takes less than a minute and gives hope to thousands waiting.”
LOPA’s new state-of-the-art, 65,000 sq. ft. Donor Care Center in Covington allows the organization to provide an up-close and personal look at the role it plays in facilitating organ and tissue donation. The Care Center, only one of nine of its kind in the United States, will be the site of LOPA’s inaugural Day of Wellness, April 13 from 10am-1pm with free health screenings, demonstrations, and interactive activities for adults and children.
While Donate Life Month is designated as a national celebration, Governor John Bel Edwards has also proclaimed April as Organ Donation Awareness Month in Louisiana. A highlight of the month is National Blue and Green Day (Friday, April 12th) when the public is encouraged to wear blue and green to show their support of organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. Prominent landmarks such as the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge, the Superdome in New Orleans and LITE in Lafayette will also be showing their support with special Blue & Green lighting displays. A list of all Donate Life Month events in Louisiana can be found at lopa.org/events.
Those interested in attending or hosting an event are encouraged to connect with a community educator via email info@lopa.org. To register or to learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation, along with living donation programs in Louisiana please visit www.lopa.org and listen to The Gifted Life Podcast at www.thegiftedlife.org.
About LOPA
LOPA is Louisiana’s federally designated Organ Procurement Organization, or OPO, and is tasked with recovering donor organs and tissue for transplantation, along with housing and maintaining Louisiana’s Donor Registry. LOPA strenuously works to educate Louisiana’s population about the necessity of registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor. LOPA’s Core Purpose is Making Life Happen and more information, along with a direct link to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor can be found at
www.lopa.org.
