LIFESHARE ON RECORD PACE FOR SAVING LIVES IN 2020
Lives Saved Despite National Pandemic
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans are known to be some of the most generous people, and through the pandemic, it has proved no different with LifeShare on a record pace for both the number of organ donors and organs recovered in 2020.
LifeShare saw more than 137 become donors since the beginning of the year, which provided 344 organs for transplant. Prior to 2020, our highest activity level for January through August in any given year was in 2019 with 121 donors and 330 organs transplanted.
Bobbie Renfrow’s daughter, Madison, was one of those life-saving heroes amidst the pandemic.
Madison was eighteen years old and full of life. She was a mother to her one-year-old son and had all kinds of plans for their future together. Madison was crazy, silly and outspoken. Most of all, she was true to herself.
Bobbie had always told her daughter how important being an organ donor was. And a year ago when Madison received her license, she ran to her mom showing her the ID card and saying, “look what I just did!”. Madison knew she made an important, life-saving decision.
After a tragic event, Madison was in the hospital fighting for her life. When all lifesaving measures had been exhausted, LifeShare staff got to know Bobbie and there was an automatic connection between them.
LifeShare saw more than 137 become donors since the beginning of the year, which provided 344 organs for transplant. Prior to 2020, our highest activity level for January through August in any given year was in 2019 with 121 donors and 330 organs transplanted.
Bobbie Renfrow’s daughter, Madison, was one of those life-saving heroes amidst the pandemic.
Madison was eighteen years old and full of life. She was a mother to her one-year-old son and had all kinds of plans for their future together. Madison was crazy, silly and outspoken. Most of all, she was true to herself.
Bobbie had always told her daughter how important being an organ donor was. And a year ago when Madison received her license, she ran to her mom showing her the ID card and saying, “look what I just did!”. Madison knew she made an important, life-saving decision.
After a tragic event, Madison was in the hospital fighting for her life. When all lifesaving measures had been exhausted, LifeShare staff got to know Bobbie and there was an automatic connection between them.
Bobbie remembers being comforted by the LifeShare staff.
“I don’t know what kind of stars were aligned,” Renfro said. “The case worker was exactly what I needed at that time. She has the most beautiful soul, and I don’t think I could have walked this journey without her.”
Madison became a donor this spring and saved the lives of five others through organ donation and enhanced up to 75 through tissue donation.
“Despite the effects of the pandemic, LifeShare has stayed committed to fulfilling our donor’s wishes and supporting our donor families,” explained Jeff Orlowski, President and Chief Executive Officer, of LifeShare of Oklahoma. “This is a trying time for healthcare organizations, including organ procurement organizations like LifeShare, but it is also a time when the commitment and dedication of our team shines bright and allows us to continue our critical, lifesaving work.”
There are approximately 110,000 people currently waiting in the United States for a lifesaving organ. Twenty people die every day in the U.S. because an organ was not available. In Oklahoma, approximately 600 people are waiting for the gift of life.
LifeShare encourages all Oklahomans to make the important decision to register as an organ donor, and to share the decision with their family. For more information about organ and tissue donation or to register, visit LifeShareok.org
“I don’t know what kind of stars were aligned,” Renfro said. “The case worker was exactly what I needed at that time. She has the most beautiful soul, and I don’t think I could have walked this journey without her.”
Madison became a donor this spring and saved the lives of five others through organ donation and enhanced up to 75 through tissue donation.
“Despite the effects of the pandemic, LifeShare has stayed committed to fulfilling our donor’s wishes and supporting our donor families,” explained Jeff Orlowski, President and Chief Executive Officer, of LifeShare of Oklahoma. “This is a trying time for healthcare organizations, including organ procurement organizations like LifeShare, but it is also a time when the commitment and dedication of our team shines bright and allows us to continue our critical, lifesaving work.”
There are approximately 110,000 people currently waiting in the United States for a lifesaving organ. Twenty people die every day in the U.S. because an organ was not available. In Oklahoma, approximately 600 people are waiting for the gift of life.
LifeShare encourages all Oklahomans to make the important decision to register as an organ donor, and to share the decision with their family. For more information about organ and tissue donation or to register, visit LifeShareok.org
