WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals and CORE Raise Donate Life Flag

WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals and the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) today marked National Donate Life Month with a ceremonial flag raising at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston. 

Observed each April, National Donate Life Month is dedicated to raising awareness of the life-saving and healing gifts made possible through organ, tissue, and cornea donation. More than 100,000 people nationwide are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, including more than 500 in West Virginia. On average, 13 people die each day waiting for a transplant, and a new person is added to the waiting list every eight minutes.

The annual flag raising event highlights the continued need for registered donors while honoring those whose lives have been touched by donation and transplantation. Hospitals across the country raise the Donate Life flag throughout April as a symbol of unity, remembrance, and hope. 

“WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals is honored to support organ, tissue, and cornea donation, helping give hope and new beginnings to patients and families,” said Dr. Greg Rosencrance, President & CEO. “National Donate Life Month is a meaningful reminder of the life-saving impact each donor can make, and we encourage everyone to consider registering to give the gift of life.” 

Tyler Skidmore, M.D., neurologist with the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at Thomas Hospitals and organ transplant recipient, also spoke at the event. Skidmore, who became a registered organ donor after witnessing his mother’s transplant journey, later found himself in need of a kidney due to a rare genetic condition. After nearly a year of dialysis, he received a life-saving transplant in November 2025. He now shares his story to highlight the critical importance of organ donation and the profound impact it can have on patients and families. 

In 2025, 11 people received life-saving organ transplants made possible by five organ donors and 1,913 tissue and cornea recipients found healing and restored sight because of 44 tissue and cornea donors from Thomas Memorial Hospital. 

One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can help more than 75 others. Individuals can register to become an organ donor online at https://core.org/register/ or designate their decision at their local DMV. 

For more information about WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals, visit ThomasHospitals.org.