In 2015, 28 Erlanger patients gave the gift of life to 101 people in need of organ transplants.
To kick off Donor Awareness Month, Erlanger Health System on Friday morning joined thousands of hospitals and organizations across the nation by raising the “Donate Life” flag to honor these 28 organ donors.
Before the flag raising, many organ recipients, family members of donors, and hospital staff gathered in the medical mall to hear Lisa Bean speak on behalf of her son who died unexpectedly in September, and who saved five lives because he donated his organs.
On Sept. 19, 28-year-old Cameron Bean went on a training run on Moccasin Bend Road after getting off work at Fast Break Athletics. On his run, a car struck the national-class athlete and aspiring triathlete from behind.
The car never put on the brakes to call 911, Ms. Bean said, but continued on to work at Moccasin Bend Hospital.
Cameron died three days later in Erlanger. Ms. Bean said she and her family, being Christians, believe Cameron was where he was meant to be from the time he reached the ER room to the time he died.
His tragic death led to four men and one woman being saved through Cameron’s heart, lungs, and kidney donations.
“The love and memories he left us is the greatest blessing we have out of this senseless tragedy,” Ms. Bean said, glowing in loving memory of her son.
Members in the audience wiped their eyes as Natalie Cothran – a kidney transplant recipient – took to the podium after Ms. Bean stepped away.
Twenty-five years ago, when Ms. Cothran was a young mother with two children, a new husband, and a baby sister to care for, doctors diagnosed her with kidney disease.
She taught chemistry, coached basketball, and mothered her children, she said.
“And my kidneys were failing.”
Erlanger doctors put her on dialyses, telling her if she gained some weight, she would be eligible for a kidney transplant.
In December of 1992, Ms. Cothran said she “got the best gift for Christmas:” a new kidney.
This transplant restored her health for over 20 years. But in 2014 her kidney started acting up again. Though she was put back on dialysis, she said Erlanger doctors encouraged her.
Eleven days after her 53rd birthday, she received another kidney, and was soon able to go back to teaching.
“I’m happy to be standing before you today to talk to you about the importance of organ donations,” she said. “I thank you for coming and listening to me, and I hope that you sign that Tennessee Donor Registry.”
Before the crowd shuffled outside to watch the raising of the white “Donate Life” flag – which now waves on a pole next to the American Flag – President and CEO of Erlanger Health System Kevin Spiegel closed the ceremony with revealing statistics.
Erlanger is the second largest harvest center in the state, he said, playing a key role in both donation and transplant.
Since January of this year, 14 donors have already saved 40 people’s lives. Mr. Spiegel said, nationally, over 121,000 people today are waiting for an organ. In Tennessee alone, more than 2,800 people are on the list.
He said 22 patients die every day waiting for an organ, and every 10 minutes a new name is added to the waiting list.
“And the only way we can save their lives is by signing our license to donate.”