North Alabama Medical Center Celebrates Donate Life Month
April 11, 2025
FLORENCE, Ala., –North Alabama Medical Center and Legacy of Hope partnered to celebrate National Donate Life Month on Friday, April 11th in the hospital’s main lobby.
“This April, we want to remind everyone that they can help save a life," said Christy Keahey, Executive Director Legacy of Hope. "Registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor takes less than a minute and gives hope to those waiting. The decision to register as a donor is the beginning of a story that may bring life and healing to more than 75 people, their families and their communities.”
National Donate Life Month is about the importance of registering your decision to be a donor, honoring deceased and living donors and celebrating the lives they saved. It is the generosity of donors and donor families that makes saving lives through transplantation possible.
On Friday, NAMC heard from Legacy of Hope representative Jackie Whatley, as well as a testimonial from Steven Hood, a 2018 recipient of a heart transplant.
"I'm here today because a young man decided to be an organ donor," said Hood. "Because of that, I feel that he is also still with me today. I would encourage everyone to not only become an organ donor but to tell your friends and family. You don't realize how many lives it can impact."
Each April, several hospitals across Alabama fly Donate Life flags as part of their National Donate Life Month activities. The Donate Life flag serves as a display of unity, remembrance and hope. They are a symbol to honor heroic organ, eye and tissue donors.
NAMC’s flag will be displayed in the hospital throughout the month.
In 2024, North Alabama Medical Center produced seven organ donor heroes and had 12 life-saving organs recovered for transplant. There were 20 bone and tissue donors, resulting in up to 2,000 recipients of an enhanced quality of life. NAMC also had 29 eye donors and 58 recipients of new sight.