Conemaugh Nason Medical Center Recognized By CORE

After participating in the 2019 HAP Donate Life Challenge, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center in Roaring Spring earned statewide recognition for awareness initiatives.

The HAP Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge encourages Pennsylvania hospitals to increase organ donation awareness and designations within their hospital and community.

The 2019 challenge began in January and ended during April, which is National Donate Life Month. During the challenge, Pennsylvania's hospitals worked to increase awareness of the need for organ and tissue donors, and encourage new donor registrations.

During June, Pennsylvania's challenge was recognized by Health Resources and Services Administration's Workplace Partnership for Life Hospital Organ Donation Campaign for being the nation's leader in hospital participation. A record 113 hospitals and 24 health systems across Pennsylvania participated this year. All 113 Pennsylvania hospital participants were recognized this year, making Pennsylvania one of the top four states in the nation for hospital involvement, and the most engaged state on the east coast.

Participating hospitals' awareness and designation activities are captured on a scorecard and assigned titanium-, platinum-, gold-, silver- and bronze-level recognitions. During 2017, Pennsylvania became the first state to implement titanium designation.

"Losing a loved one can mean unspeakable sadness, but we know that there are ways that we can help honor the lives of those we have lost, and continue their legacies through the most selfless gift of all – life anew," said Andy Carter, president and CEO of HAP. "I am truly proud to recognize the Pennsylvania hospital community's commitment to organ donation, and grateful for our longstanding partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, CORE, and Gift of Life Donor Program to help make a difference in so many lives."

Conemaugh Memorial earned titanium for its efforts. Conemaugh Nason and Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center earned platinum recognition. Conemaugh Miners earned silver recognition.

CORE is one of 58 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations in the U.S. CORE works closely with donor families and designated health care professionals to coordinate the surgical recovery of organs, tissues and corneas for transplantation. CORE also facilitates the computerized matching of donated organs and placement of corneas. With headquarters in Pittsburgh and an office in Charleston, W.Va., CORE oversees a region that encompasses 150 hospitals and more than 5 million people throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County, N.Y.

For more information, visit http://www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.

More than 115,000 people in the United States are currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant. Another name is added to the national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes.

This includes more than 8,000 individuals just in Pennsylvania. Thousands die every year waiting for a donated organ that never comes. It doesn't have to be this way. When just one person signs up to be an organ and tissue donor, he or she can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of 75 others through tissue donation.

To learn more about organ, tissue, and eye donations, or to register to become a donor, visit http://www.conemaugh.org/organdonation.