Flag-hoisting ceremony to bring awareness for organ, tissue donations

Mid-South Transplant and Forrest City Medical Center will hold a flag-hoisting ceremony at the hospital Wednesday to bring awareness to organ and tissue donation.

This event is one of many Mid-South Transport will be participating in during April, which is National Transplant Month.

"We invite the public to come out and wear their blues and greens," said Caitlyn Sweet, public relations director with Forrest City Medical Center. "All public offices are invited, business owners, everybody. We'd love to see everybody out here."

Sweet said there will be a brief ceremony, weather permitting, at the FCMC flagpole.

"There are more than 4,000 people in the Mid-South waiting for a life-saving organ transplant,'' said Randa Lipman, community outreach manager with Mid-South Transplant.

Lipman said the flag hoisting is one of several events the group will take part in leading up to Blue & Green Day on April 22.

"On Blue & Green Day we're asking all area businesses, clinical partners, community and faith-based leaders, donor families, organ and tissue recipients and supporting individuals to help us turn the Mid-South blue and green," said Lipman. "Mid-South Transplant Foundation is committed to its mission and works every day to save and/or improve the quality of lives for people in need of transplants, while also ensuring donors’ end-of-life wishes are fulfilled."

Several businesses have already begun planning to celebrate organ transplant month with events or by placing brochures at their businesses.

"Individuals and companies can light their building, fountain, home, wear blue and green, paint your nails or color your hair blue and green, make a blue and green food item, dress up your pet in a blue and green costume, write a message on your sidewalk, decorate their car. The possibilities are endless," said Lipman.

She asks businesses to register their participation with Mid-South Transplant to be counted and recognized.

"Take pictures and upload them to the MSTF site to show you’re participating and for a chance to win prizes. Other resources are available such as yard signs, posters, tent cards and more," said Lipman.

Representatives of the organization are also planning to attend a meeting of the Forrest City Rotary Club on April 19 where families of organ donors and recipients will share stories on the importance of organ and tissue donation.

For more information on organ and tissue donation and Blue & Green Day, visit www.MidSouthTransplant.org.