Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC) concluded National Donate Life Month in April by affirming that hundreds of lives were touched through organ and tissue donations at the hospital during the month-long observation.  The hospital kicked off the occasion in partnership with the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) by hosting a flag-raising ceremony to honor local heroes sharing the gift of life.

As many as 20 lives were saved due to organ donations in April at LGMC, with most organs staying in the Acadiana region, having a tremendous impact on the local community.  Hundreds more lives were benefitted through tissue donations.  Southern Eye Bank (SEB) confirmed that several cornea transplants were initiated, continuing an encouraging trend at LGMC.  Last year, LGMC had 63 cornea donors, helping give sight to 95 individuals in need of cornea transplants, garnering the hospital SEB’s Hospital of the Year award for 2011.

 "Over the years, countless lives have been saved thanks to organ donation” says LGMC President and CEO David L. Callecod, FACHE.  "I can’t stress how important being an organ, tissue and eye donor is, and how vital it is to Lafayette General’s mission to restore, maintain and improve health.”

LOPA’s Jerrod Daigle also expressed gratitude for the partnership with LGMC.  "I’m proud to work with such a dedicated staff at LGMC,” he says.