Holzer Holds Donate Life Walk

To celebrate National Donate Life Month, Holzer Health System held a Donate Life Walk event in April. This awareness event took place at Holzer Gallipolis’ ReCenter patio area and was headlined by Jessie Borden, Supervisor of Donation Program Coordination, Lifeline of Ohio, Melissa Mack, Placenta Program Development Coordinator, Lifeline of Ohio, and Nikki Hogan, Unit Manager, Maternity and Family Services, Holzer Health System. They discussed the importance of donation and how it can impact those around us here in our communities.

Borden said, “On behalf of our leadership and staff, I’d like to thank Holzer for hosting this wonderful event once again and displaying the Donate Life flag as part of National Donate Life Month. By displaying the flag, we raise awareness of the great need for registered donors; and we give hope to more than 100,000 people around the country who are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. The flag is also displayed to recognize the thousands of donor heroes and their loved ones, who’ve said ‘yes’ to donation.”

Borden, Mack, and Hogan went on to provide many impactful statistics, sharing, “We are proud to highlight generous donors from Holzer in 2025, which includes 12 tissue donors, 16 eye donors, and 2 Heroes in Spirit. One tissue donor can help heal more than 75 people, and one cornea donor can restore sight in up to 2 people. In 2025, Holzer had 39 placenta donations. On average, 25 healing grafts are made from one donated placenta placenta.”

Following these discussions, attendees walked and placed blue and green pinwheels in front of the hospital to recognize National Donate Life Month. Additional items held to recognize Donate Life Month, included flag raising and a Donate Life quilt being featured at various locations, a Donate Life Art Contest, an opportunity for the public to share their organ donation stories, and a schedule full of Blue/Green Week activities. Brandon Coughenour, BSN, RN, Director of Acute Care Specialty Services, Holzer Health System, said, “Holzer is always pleased to highlight Donate Life Month. Thank you to everyone who was involved; your efforts are greatly appreciated. We will continue to bring attention to this impactful initiative.”

For more information on organ, eye, and tissue donation, visit lifelineofohio.org.