Honoring National Donate Life Month with flag raising ceremony
During national donate life month, Largo Hospital have invited transplant recipients to share their story and honor the thousands of people still waiting for their life-saving donation.
Transplant recipients share their stories at HCA Florida Largo Hospital
WHEN: Friday, April 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
WHO: Meet two transplant recipients who received their gift of life through organ transplantation in the past year, hear about the local impact of the transplant program at Largo Hospital and see the Donate Life month campaign chalk art by a local artist, Hilary Frambes.
WHAT: April is Donate Life Month and April 12 marks the special Blue and Green Day, to help spread the importance of registering to be an organ donor.
- HCA Florida Largo Hospital CEO Sebastian Strom, MD will open the event with inspiring words of appreciation for The Gift of Life.
- Heart recipient Kathleen Hornbecker led an active lifestyle at 75 years, running five miles a day, when she developed disabling heart failure. She received a heart transplant at Largo Hospital in 2023 and is looking forward to getting back to the gym, sailing and traveling her bucket list. Kathleen is deeply grateful for her second chance at life.
- Liver transplant recipient Kristen Merritt was visiting Florida when she developed severe liver failure. Historically, she had not experienced any glaring symptoms, although looking back she recognizes a few that could have been signs. She was transferred to Largo Hospital for advanced care and received a liver transplant in March 2023. Today, you can find Kristen thriving and excited to start a new journey having enrolled in nursing school – with inspiration from her incredible healthcare team at Largo Hospital.
- Public Affairs Lifelink Foundation Manager Ashley Moore will tell us how anyone can be a donor and unveil the 2024 Donate Life month campaign chalk art by a local artist, Hilary Frambes.
All participants available for interview following the ceremony.
WHERE: HCA Florida Largo Hospital | 201 14th St SW, Largo, FL 33770; main entrance flagpole
CONTACT: Tiffany Briggs
Director of Communications and Community Engagement
(941) 713-4509 – cell