DONATE LIFE — Jennifer Orlando speaks about her late daughter, Alicia Orlando, during Tuesday’s Donate Life flag-raising ceremony at Trinity Medical Center West. Joining her were Alicia’s daughter, Peyton Ewing, and son, Dominic Hines. Photo by Ross Gallabrese.

On Tuesday, April 7, Trinity Health System held its annual Donate Life Flag Raising ceremony at the West Campus flagpole.

Our thanks to the media who covered this special event. Here’s a round-up of their coverage with a link to the full reports:

Weirton Daily Times: Mother shares daughter’s life-saving legacy at Trinity by Ross Gallabrese

STEUBENVILLE — A decision made by Alicia Orlando some time ago helped to change the lives of at least four other people.

Orlando, a Wintersville resident, was an organ donor, and when she died May 13 at the age of 35, her choice left a lasting impact.

“We don’t have a lot of information,” said her mother, Jennifer Orlando, shortly after speaking during Tuesday’s Donate Life flag-raising ceremony at Trinity Medical Center West.

“I know that her heart went to a woman in Virginia in her 60s, her left kidney went to a man in Ohio in his 30s, her right kidney went to a man in West Virginia and her liver went to someone in New York. So, for sure, right now, we know that she saved four people,” she continued.

The ceremony is held annually during National Donate Life Month, which was established to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to recognize those who have saved lives through donation. Alicia Orlando was Trinity’s first heart donor.

“We did the flag-raising to honor the people who donate, honor their families and bring awareness to how important the cause is,” explained Tara Frankovitch, the organ donations coordinator at Trinity.

You can read this article in its entirety by clicking here.

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WTOV: Trinity Health marks Donate Life Month with flag-raising to boost organ donation awareness

Trinity Health System marked Donate Life Month on Tuesday with a flag-raising ceremony aimed at supporting organ donors, raising awareness about the ongoing need for donations and recognizing the impact donation can have on others.

Donate Life Month is celebrated nationwide in all 50 states.

“We all have the same goal and that is to be able to provide organ donations, donors — walk the families through it just the entire process as simple as possible,” said Tara Frankovitch, clinical manager of cardiovascular care at Trinity Medical Center West. “We have to give that helping with the organs, tissues, and eyes and then it gives the family closure.”

You can read and watch this report by clicking here.

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If you’re near Trinity West, we encourage you to stop by our campus and see the Pinwheel Garden (pictured below). Each pinwheel serves as a visual recognition of the donors who have provided life-saving organs and tissue, spinning as a symbol of hope and the renewal of life.

Also, learn more about organ donation by visiting the Lifeline of Ohio website.

Thumbnail photo courtesy of WTOV.