Nearly 115,000 people are waiting for a transplant in the United States. One person dies every 20 minutes waiting for an organ and another person is added to the waitlist every 10 minutes, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.
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There's a significant organ scarcity.
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To help encourage organ donation and honor those who have saved lives through it, Florida Hospital is hosting a series of events to kick off National Donate Life Month. Among the initiatives:
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· Gr8ToDon8 Run: Florida Hospital partners with TransLife to host the 9th annual run on Saturday to celebrate those who have donated an organ as well as those who have received the gift of one. Part of the proceeds will support local transplant initiatives such as the Bartch Transplant House at Florida Hospital Orlando.
· 10th Annual Transplant Reunion: Florida Hospital hosts its traditional reunion picnic in which patients, physicians, staff, friends and families gather together to celebrate "the gift of life." More than 380 transplant patients are slated to attend Sunday's event at Florida Hospital Orlando.
· Pinwheel Tree: Pinwheels are used by TransLife to symbolize the power of transforming obstacles into opportunities. This year a pinwheel tree will rotate through local hospitals to remind the community about the importance of organ donation and encourage registration to become donors. The tree will be assembled by patients during the 10th Annual Transplant Reunion.
The latest report from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients reflects Florida Hospital's national standings. Among the highlights of Florida Hospital's programs:
· Sixth-largest heart transplant program, by volume.
· The liver program has one of the best outcomes with the second-best survival rate.
· The lung program has the No. 1 transplant rate.
