On Wednesday, June 1, the Ohio Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Caucus was launched in the Ohio House of Representatives. This was an historic day for Ohio and for the more than 3,400 residents waiting for life-saving organ transplants. The goal of the caucus is to better educate state representatives about organ and tissue donation-related issues, which will support statewide efforts to register additional organ, eye and tissue donors and ultimately save lives.
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(L to R) Dawn Werner and heart recipient, Asia Werner, Rep. Lorraine Fende, Donor Parents, Marsha and Mark Burleson
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House Caucus Co-Chairs, Rep. Terry Johnson, DO and Rep. Lorraine Fende recognized the value this caucus will bring to their colleagues and the State of Ohio. Our speakers, Dr. Robert Higgins, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Transplant Center, Dawn Werner, heart recipient, Asia Werner, donor parents, Mark and Marsha Burleson, Kent Holloway, CEO Lifeline of Ohio (Columbus), Barry Massa, CEO LifeCenter Organ Donor Network (Cincinnati) and I delivered a bold call to action to place Ohio first in the nation to save and heal lives through organ, eye and tissue donation for transplantation.
Additionally, Dawn and Asia were introduced to the House Committee on Health and Aging during their morning meeting and the Burleson and Werner families were recognized on the floor during the full house session! Thank you, Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, for taking the time to recognize these special individuals and for continuing to champion organ and tissue donation in Ohio.
If you would like to advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation for transplantation, please let us know at info@lifebanc.org We will be working in the Senate next.
Gordon R. Bowen, Chief Executive Officer
