What: Candlelight Vigil of Hope, Remembrance and Celebration in support of organ and tissue donation
When: Sunday, April 11, 2010 – 7:00 p.m. – rain or shine
Who: Lifeline of Ohio, the independent nonprofit organization promoting organ and tissue donation in central and southeastern Ohio
Where: The Ohio Statehouse, West Plaza – 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215
Why: There are more than 106,000 individuals on the national organ transplant waiting list. In the U.S., 18 men, women and children die every day waiting for an organ transplant, and one Ohioan dies every other day while waiting. The vigil will be part of a Guinness World Record™ attempt for most candles lit simultaneously in a single venue, in an effort to encourage Ohioans to “shine on” and register as organ and tissue donors. The current record stands at 1,000 candles.
The vigil is a visual testament to the power of donation and is designed to provide hope to those waiting for a chance to “shine on” with a lifesaving organ transplant, remembrance for those who “shine on” through the gifts they gave as organ and tissue donors, and celebration for transplant recipients who continue to “shine on” with a second chance at life.
Lifeline of Ohio is expecting more than 1,500 attendees to participate. The event will include testimonials from transplant recipients, donor family members and others touched by donation.
Special Note: The vigil will also include the presentation of results from a 2010 survey gauging Ohioans’ attitudes toward organ, eye and tissue donation.
The vigil coincides with National Donate Life Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and the lives saved by donors.
For more information, contact: Rachel Lewis, Lifeline of Ohio – 614.384.7329 – 614.316.4643 or rlewis@lifelineofohio.org
