Adams Raises 'Donate Life' Flag
 Denise Swistak, an organ recipient, speaks at the raising of a Donate Life flag at Town Hall on Tuesday. |
ADAMS, Mass. — A Donate Life flag was raised at Town Hall on Tuesday to celebrate National Donate Life Month.
Selectmen Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington, Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco and organ donor recipient Denise Swistak, who has spearheaded a local campaign for organ donation, gathered for the event on the Town Hall lawn.
"One donor has the potential to help more than 50 people," Swistak said. "Anyone can register to be a donor regardless of medical history or age."
The monthlong awareness features local, regional, and national activities to encourage people to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and bring attention to those who have donated and saved lives.
Swistak said 24,000 people "began new lives" in 2014 because of organ donation. However, even though as of 2014 approximately 50 percent of the American adult population have registered as donors, nearly 124,000 people remain on a waiting list and some 21 people a day die because they are unable to receive the needed organs in time.
Swistak said her life was saved by an Oklahoma man in 2014 who was an organ donor.
"A man who I will never know gave me my life, and because of him, I have had two more birthdays, I have been blessed with a new great niece, and have made many new memories with my husband, my family, and my friends."
Swistak encouraged everyone to become a donor. She said people can do this when they renew their driver's license or state identification or any time at www.DonateLifeNewEngland.org.
Harrington thanked Swistak and said the selectmen would read a proclamation for Donate Life Month on Wednesday night at the selectmen workshop meeting.
"I’d like to thank you for bringing this to our attention and having this in Adams," Harrington said. "It's a great way to give back to your community and individuals."
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