Penn State Health celebrates Donate Life Month with special events
Penn State Health will honor organ donors and highlight the lifesaving impact of organ donation with events during National Donate Life Month in April.
Donate Life flag-raising ceremonies
The health system will recognize the generosity of organ donors and their families and celebrate transplant recipients with Donate Life flag-raising ceremonies on Thursday, April 9 at 11 a.m. at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and 11:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Medical Center.
At a ceremony outside Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s North Entrance, Roberta Malinak, aunt to Ryan Lee Mohn, will share Ryan’s story:
- Ryan Lee Mohn was a 16‑year‑old junior at Steelton‑Highspire High School in Steelton, Pennsylvania, in February 2004. He sustained massive brain injury when the car he was in hit a tree less than a mile from home.Through Ryan’s decision to be an organ donor, six people received life‑saving transplants, and hundreds of others were helped through tissue donation.Ryan was an outstanding athlete. He was the starting pitcher on the school’s baseball team, a reserve guard on the basketball team, and the star quarterback who led the football team to a championship.Ryan’s family serves as volunteer ambassadors for the Gift of Life Donor Program, sharing Ryan’s donation story and educating others about the importance of organ and tissue donation
At a ceremony at Holy Spirit Medical Center, Priscilla Glusko, donor mother, will share her journey to highlight how donation can offer hope, comfort, and life to others even in the midst of profound loss:
- Priscilla St. Jacques‑Glusko is a donor mother who honors the legacy of her son, Anthony Glusko, through advocacy and sharing his story. At just 16, Anthony chose to be an organ donor—a decision that ultimately saved and improved many lives after his tragic passing at age 24 from a brain injury. Through his organ and tissue donations, Anthony helped recipients ranging from a young child to older adults, and his generosity continues to bring meaning and healing to his family.
National Donate Life Blue & Green Day
Penn State Health employees and Penn State College of Medicine faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear blue and green on National Donate Life Blue & Green Day on Friday, April 10 to show their support for organ donation. Share your photos on social media using #bluegreenday, and be sure to tag your hospital or the College of Medicine.
Become an organ donor
More than 103,000 people in the U.S. need organ transplants, with 17 dying each day as they wait for that potentially lifesaving gift. Another person is added to the transplant list every eight minutes.
Each April, National Donate Life Month helps raise awareness about organ donation, honors those who have saved lives through the gift of donation and encourages Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. You can register to be a donor at this Donate Life link for Penn State Health.
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