LIFESHARE OF OKLAHOMA RECOVERS SEVEN ORGANS FROM A DONOR AFTER CIRCULATORY DEATH - FIRST IN U.S. HISTORY
One Oklahoman’s decision to save lives as an organ and tissue donor made medical history Wednesday.
Seven of the donor’s organs, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver and pancreas were transplanted into others, according to LifeShare of Oklahoma. This is the first donation after circulatory death (DCD) in the United States where seven organs were recovered and transplanted.
“LifeShare is honored to facilitate this groundbreaking work from a heroic donor. This is a giant step in the field of organ donation which will ultimately result in more lives saved,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and CEO of LifeShare of Oklahoma. “The use of more organs from complex donors, such as DCD donors, will accelerate the increase of transplantation and ultimately lives saved.”
It marked the first time a heart was recovered from an adult DCD donor in Oklahoma, and only the third time in the U.S.
Seven of the donor’s organs, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver and pancreas were transplanted into others, according to LifeShare of Oklahoma. This is the first donation after circulatory death (DCD) in the United States where seven organs were recovered and transplanted.
“LifeShare is honored to facilitate this groundbreaking work from a heroic donor. This is a giant step in the field of organ donation which will ultimately result in more lives saved,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and CEO of LifeShare of Oklahoma. “The use of more organs from complex donors, such as DCD donors, will accelerate the increase of transplantation and ultimately lives saved.”
It marked the first time a heart was recovered from an adult DCD donor in Oklahoma, and only the third time in the U.S.
CHILD HEART RECIPIENT TO BE HONORED IN ROSE PARADE
LifeShare of Oklahoma is honoring Jhett Skaggs, of Lexington, Oklahoma, as a float rider in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1st.
Every year, LifeShare helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day to spread the message about organ, eye and tissue donation. As a sponsor, LifeShare is able to send one recipient to ride the float and one donor portrait to be honored on the float. When Jhett, was just a few months old, his parents noticed he had difficulty nursing, crawling and would suddenly stop breathing. He was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, and the Skaggs family was told that if he were to survive, he would need a new heart. They relocated to a children’s transplant hospital, and the doctors implanted him with a Berlin heart to keep him alive. Two weeks later, Jhett received his new heart at just ten months old. 
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ROSE PARADE FLORAGRAPH HONOREE ANNOUNCED
Oklahomans will be representing their state in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1. Eva Young, of Oklahoma City, was chosen as the floragraph honoree who will be representing Oklahoma in the Donate Life Rose Parade Float. Eva is the daughter of Royce and Keri Young. The family has garnered national attention with their decision to continue their pregnancy in hopes of offering others life.
Every year, LifeShare of Oklahoma helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day to spread the message about organ, eye and tissue donation. As a sponsor, LifeShare is able to send one recipient to ride the float and one donor portrait to be honored on the float. The 2020 float shares the Power of Hope by highlighting Southeast Asia’s Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, a celebration of light shining in darkness. Twenty six organ, eye and tissue recipients or living donors will be seated among the peacocks or walk alongside the float. Floral displays will overflow from intricate vessels, adorned with 44 memorial floral portraits, honoring the gift of life and light given by organ, eye and tissue donors. 
This January, Oklahoma will be represented by this individual:
Eva Young –Tissue Donor Eva will be honored on the Donate Life Float as a tissue donor in a floragraph. A floragraph is a portrait of the donor, created with floral materials such as seeds, grains, spices, dried flowers and other organic materials. She is one of 44 donors to be featured on this year’s float. READ FULL STORY 
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