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Lincoln Memorial Hospital holds
Gift of Hope flag raising ceremony; highlights need for organ, eye
and tissue donors
[April 16, 2026]
Wednesday, April 15, Lincoln
Memorial Health held a Gift of Hope flag raising ceremony to
celebrate National Donate Life Month and to highlight the need for
organ, eye and tissue donors.
April is National Donate Life Month, dedicated to raising awareness
of the importance of organ and tissue donation. Each year, Memorial
Health hospitals hold flag-raising ceremonies to honor donors and
their families.
Representatives from both Gift of
Hope and Saving Sight had tables where people could learn more about
organ donation and get pamphlets, bracelets and stickers.
Before the Gift of Hope flag was
raised, several people spoke about the importance of organ
donations.
Lincoln Memorial Hospital employee
Angie Whiteman said, “National Donation month is a time to educate
people about organ, tissue and eye donation plus honor and remember
donors and the lives they have saved and healed.” Your decision to
be a donor helps give life to 106,000 people on national organ list
who are waiting for a second chance at life. Whiteman said “Every
ten minutes a new person is added to this list. Becoming an organ
and tissue donor is a way to leave a legacy while also saving
lives.” She encouraged people to register to be a donor.
Next was a prayer about how God turns the sadness of death into the
dawn of new life. The person praying said it is with grateful hearts
we raise the flag today as a reminder of our sisters and brothers
who through the gift of organ and tissue donation offered the gift
of hope to others in their time of need. Her prayer was that the
flag would become a beacon of hope for those who in a time of sorrow
found the strength to offer their loved one’s final gift.
Alexis Plumb, a manager for organ donation liaisons in this area,
shared the significance of the flag raising. Plumb said, “Today we
honor and recognize all heroes within our community. All organ,
tissue and eye donors, donor families and donor recipients whose
lives have been changed and will forever be touched by donation.”
Plumb acknowledged and honored the healthcare team at LMH who care
for patients and make organ and tissue donations possible. She then
said the collaboration and support of community heroes such as first
and last responders, EMS, police, fire services and coroners is
vital so lives can be saved. This meaningful memorial event during
national donation month honors those who gave selflessly at the end
of their lives and celebrates those who have a renewed chance at
life through donation.
Next Plumb introduced Brian
Wilkins, the father of Zachary Willkins, who saved five lives
through organ donation. Brian Wilkins talked about Zach’s childhood
interests including soccer and beach volleyball and his love for his
sister Kourtney. He had an infectious smile, captivating laugh,
sense of humor and quick wit that drew people to him.
Zach was a chemist at ADM who had a willingness to give and help
others. His willingness to become an organ and tissue donor came as
no surprise to his parents. Coworkers and friends shared many
stories of Zach’s helpfulness at his memorial service.
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June 30, 2022, Zach’s parents
received a call saying Zach had been in a horrible accident and
was in critical condition. After a long surgery, he was on a
ventilator and Brian begged God not to let him die. The moment
his parents learned he was brain dead took Brian’s breath away.
When the hospital staff approached the family about organ
donation, there was no question Zach would donate since it was
something he had talked about with his father in the past.
Gift of Hope has kept in contact
with the family supporting them and being there every step of the
way, motivating his parents to become ambassadors for the program.
Brian said they are proud Zach was able to donate bone, soft tissue
and skin to people in six states and South Korea. Through organ
donation, Zach was able to save five lives of people from a wide age
range in four states. The family has been in contact with some of
the recipients and Brian shared stories about how their lives have
improved after receiving Zach’s organs. They plan to meet the
recipient of Zach’s heart this summer. Knowing the number of lives
he helped has helped the family find good in the tragedy.
Brian reminded those in attendance they have the power to save a
life through organ or tissue donation. He encouraged everyone to
discuss these wishes with their families, so they don’t have to have
the talk in the hospital when tragedy strikes. Donating can bring a
positive aspect to an otherwise tragic situation. He closed by
reading the poem “When Tomorrow Starts without me.”
The final speaker was Courtney Welch, a Partner Support Manager at
Saving Sight. Welch said every year at these events she is reminded
of how caring and compassionate people are at this hospital and in
this community.
For Welch, it is eye opening to see how everyone may play a small
piece of the donation puzzle. Events like this one highlight the
full picture of the impact organ donation plays as it creates
positivity from tragedy.
Over the past four years, Welch said Lincoln Memorial has directly
helped 46 patients regain their sight. About 28 people have been
given the gift of sight, independence and ability to see their
family. Welch shared the story of a family she had heard from whose
mother donated her corneas and made an impact.
Plumb said a Gift of Hope flag raising ceremony is a simple yet
powerful way for families, hospital partners, Gift of Hope staff and
community partners to honor selfless donors, donors in spirit and
their families. It is a time to reflect on the hope offered during
tragedy and loss.
Though raising the flag might only take a few moments, it represents
a legacy for those who gave the ultimate gift and a chance at life
for those who receive or continue to wait for life saving or life
enhancing organ, eye or tissue donation.
The flag is a beacon of hope for families, who in the time of their
deepest heartbreak had the strength, courage, generosity and
kindness to choose life by donating organs, eyes and tissue for the
benefit of complete strangers. It is a reminder despair does not
win.
Every time the flag is raised, Plumb said may we know love lives on
in this world not only in the hearts and minds of those who grieve
for a life taken too soon but in the quiet and reflective gratitude
of those touched by the generous gifts of life. It is our hope that
these gifts will make the lives of others a blessing each day.
Donor families and recipients
touched by donation were then invited to come forward and take part
in the flag raising ceremony.
[Angela Reiners]
LMH Gift of Hope flag raising
ceremony video |
