MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The organ, tissue, and cornea donation program at WVU Medicine Ruby Memorial Hospital achieved a significant milestone in 2015 by saving 73 lives.
Nationally, more than 121,000 people are awaiting an organ transplant. At least 21 will die each day without receiving one, including two from the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) service area. For every person who donates their organs, tissue, and corneas, as many as 50 lives can be saved or dramatically improved.
“We are uniquely positioned to tend to the health of our patients and inspire our community to become organ donors,” Albert Wright, president and CEO of WVU Medicine-WVU Hospitals, said. “The more people we can inspire to become organ donors, the better we can serve our mission to be leading advocates for the well-being of our entire community and save even more lives.”
“Organ, tissue, and cornea donation provides hope, strength, and life to others,” Susan Stuart, president and CEO of CORE, said. “With the number of people waiting for a transplant far exceeding the organs, tissue, and corneas that are transplanted, the need is great.”
About CORE
The Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) is one of 58 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States. CORE works closely with donor families and designated healthcare professionals to coordinate the surgical recovery of organs, tissues, and corneas for transplantation. CORE also facilitates the computerized matching of donated organs and placement of corneas. With headquarters in Pittsburgh and an office in Charleston, CORE oversees a region that encompasses 155 hospitals and almost six million people throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Chemung County, NY. For more information, visit www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.