Summer Greetings from our CEO
Team Ohio medals in basketball!
This summer is shaping up to be one of HOPE and INSPIRATION in so many ways!
Locally and throughout Ohio these past few months we prepared for the 2016 Transplant Games of America. The Games were held in Cleveland from June 10 -15 and offered the chance for the thousands of attendees to compete in celebratory fashion, to visit with old friends and to honor the families of donors across this country. Congratulations to “Team Ohio” for a strong showing and for being gracious hosts and an INSPIRATION to their national counterparts!
Our annual Dash for Donation is another INSPIRING event that will occur Saturday, July 16! We have a new location, beautiful weather has been ordered and we look forward to seeing all of you in downtown Columbus.
The Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) just finished sponsoring Phase 5 of the Hospital Challenge. Thanks go out to many of our hospital partners who have made a major difference in their communities by providing donor information to their constituents. In your work you bring HOPE to the countless individuals who are in desperate need of the Gift of Life.
Congratulations to all who were recognized in recent years by HRSA. I very much look forward to delivering the 2015 – 2016 HRSA certificates of recognition to you in the months to come!
In closing, I want to announce a White House initiative to reduce the organ transplant waiting list. On June 13, a White House summit was convened to announce new action to facilitate breakthrough research and development with almost $200 million in investments. Efforts continue to close the gap between the 95 percent of Americans who support organ donation and the roughly 50 percent (60 percent in Ohio and 34 percent in West Virginia) who have registered as organ, eye and tissue donors. Investments are being made in clinical research and innovation that could potentially increase the number of transplants by almost 2,000 each year and improve outcomes for patients!
All of this brings renewed HOPE to us all!
Have a wonderful summer,
Kent
