FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michelle Aliprantis, MBA
Regional Director of Marketing and Communications
Prime Healthcare Pennsylvania Region
MAliprantis@primehealthcare.com
Roxborough Memorial Hospital Celebrates National Donate Life Month with Heartfelt Flag Raising Event
Philadelphia, PA (April 21, 2025)–In the vibrant embrace of April, as nature awakens and blooms in a kaleidoscope of colors, Roxborough Memorial Hospital joyfully commemorated National Donate Life Month. This annual observance transcends mere tradition; it stands as a heartfelt homage to the extraordinary individuals and families who have chosen to give the ultimate gift of life through organ donation.
To honor this significant occasion, the dedicated staff—physicians, nurses, and administrative teams—joined forces to host a meaningful flag-raising ceremony. This event served as a poignant reminder of the lives transformed by the spirit of generosity, with the flag adorned by the Donate Life emblem symbolizing hope, healing, and the profound connection between donors and recipients.
Shawn Parekh, CEO of Roxborough Memorial Hospital, opened the ceremony with powerful words: “Today, we gather not just to raise a flag but to amplify awareness about the critical importance of organ donation. Our collaboration with Gift of Life is essential in reshaping the lives of those in need. We are committed to nurturing a culture of compassion and support for donors and their families.”
The emotional weight of organ donation was profoundly expressed by guest speaker John Branton, a liver transplant recipient whose life was forever changed 17 years ago. “My donor saved my life, and I am incredibly grateful,” Branton shared. “Since my transplant, I’ve experienced a wonderful life. It’s vital that we share these stories, as they illuminate the profound impact one individual can have.”
Branton’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the selfless choices made by donor families during their most trying times. As we reflect on advancements in transplant medicine, we recognize that these achievements are made possible by the generosity and kindness of those who opt to donate.
Following the ceremony, inspiring stories emerged—tales of courage and resilience that exemplified the transformative power of organ donation. Chief Nursing Officer Beth Leahey recounted her personal experience: in 2008, her sister-in-law, living with Type 1 diabetes, faced renal failure. Despite extensive family testing, no matches were found. However, a subsequent test revealed that Beth was a perfect match. On May 5, 2009, she donated her kidney, enabling her sister-in-law to later receive a pancreas transplant. Sixteen years later, she is thriving, a testament to the life-changing impact of organ donation. “Community involvement is crucial for expanding the donor registry,” Leahey urged. “We invite everyone to join us in this mission. Your decision to register could mean the world to someone waiting for a second chance.”
Parekh further emphasized the significance of the event, expressing, “The flag-raising ceremony was enriched by the passionate voices advocating for our commitment to organ donation. Each donation embodies hope and a new beginning for those on the transplant waitlist. Our partnership with Gift of Life is vital, and together, we can effect meaningful change.”
National Donate Life Month provides a powerful platform to raise awareness and inspire potential organ and tissue donors to register. This year, Gift of Life aims to engage the community with a goal of signing up 50,000 new organ donors in celebration of its 50 years of saving lives.
At Roxborough Memorial Hospital, the commitment to fostering a supportive culture for organ donation includes every team member—from executive leadership to physicians, nurses, and staff. Over the years, the hospital has proudly facilitated the donation of seven organs and life-enhancing tissue from two individuals, offering hope to those on the transplant waitlist.
As the ceremony drew to a close, attendees raised the flag, watching it unfurl against the azure sky. A surge of unity and purpose filled the crowd, serving as a reminder that the journey from donation to transplant is a collective effort, reliant on the dedication of healthcare professionals and the compassion of everyday individuals.
Roxborough Memorial Hospital stands as a beacon of hope, a sanctuary where lives are saved and dreams rekindled. The message resounded clearly: Together, we can expand the donor registry and save more lives. Join us in this vital mission by registering for Gift of Life—it’s simple: visit https://registerme.org/campaign/RMH or go to donors1.org.
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About Roxborough Memorial Hospital: Roxborough Memorial Hospital is a 131-bed community hospital. The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of the Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls and northwest section of Philadelphia communities for more than a century, having first opened its doors in 1890. Roxborough Memorial Hospitals School of Nursing has been educating nurses since 1898. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. As a member of Prime Healthcare Services, headquartered in Ontario, California, Roxborough Memorial Hospital is focused on becoming one of the leaders in technology. For more information, please visit www.roxboroughmemorial.com.
About Prime Healthcare and the Prime Healthcare Foundation: Prime Healthcare is an award-winning health system operating 51 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations in 14 states, providing over 2.5 million patient visits annually. It is one of the nation’s leading health systems, with nearly 57,000 employees and physicians. Eighteen of the Prime Healthcare hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. Based in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare is nationally recognized for award-winning quality care and has been named a 10 Top and 15 Top Health System by Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals have been named among the nation’s “100 Top Hospitals” 69 times and have received more Patient Safety Excellence Awards from Healthgrades than any other health system in the past eight years. To learn more about Prime Healthcare, visit: www.primehealthcare.com. To learn more about Prime Healthcare Foundation, visit: www.primehealthcarefoundation.org.
Gift of Life Donor Program, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Philadelphia, is the federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware serving 11.3 million people. It works with 124 acute care hospitals and 12 transplant centers in its region, as well as hundreds of transplant centers throughout the country, to provide the most comprehensive array of services available in the U.S. to the donation and transplantation community. Thanks to the generosity of its community, Gift of Life has coordinated 14,860 donors and 41,140 organs for transplant, the most of any OPO in the country since the inception of our national donation system in 1988. Overall, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 62,000 organs and more than two million tissue transplants since its founding. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and a tissue donor can improve the lives of 100 others. In honor of its 50 years of saving lives, Gift of Life is rallying the community to sign up 50,000 more organ donors and provide hope to the thousands waiting for a transplant. Learn more and sign up at donors1.org.