Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan stands with several people whose relatives had either impacted someone’s life by organ or tissue donation or had been impacted by organ or tissue donation. From left to right: Cheyenne Lusby, Makayla Lusby, Ariel Lusby, Mayor Sullivan, Jeff Daley, Westfield Fire Commissioner Albert Masciadrelli, Cindy LaCoste
WESTFIELD—City officials raised “Donate Life” flags in front of city hall and the Westfield Fire Department headquarters Tuesday, in honor of those affected by organ donation.
Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan was joined by several others whose lives were impacted by organ donation, during a brief ceremony of the flag-raising yesterday afternoon. The annual event is used by the city to bring awareness to organ donation, and happens every April as part of Donate Life Month.
“This is something we will continue to do because it’s a noble thing to do across the nation,” Sullivan said. “Maybe this awareness will get more people to become organ donors.”
Sullivan, who is signed up to be an organ donor, urged residents to sign up as well.
Jeff Daley (left) helps Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan (right) with the raising of a Donate Life flag in front of Westfield City Hall Tuesday, as others look on
According to the Donate Life website, 118,000 people are awaiting organ transplants, and 8,000 people a year die due to organs not being donated in time. In addition, 82 percent of those in need of transplants are awaiting kidneys.
Organs that can be transplanted according to the site, include kidney, liver, lung, heart, intestine and eyes, as well as tissues. There are options to be a living donor, where you donate an organ while still alive, or to be able to donate after you have died.
For more information, visit donatelife.net for several infographics and how to sign up.
