Chandler Smith, a surgical intensive care unit nurse at The University of Toledo Medical Center, and Megan Charette, a clinical research nurse in the UTMC Department of Urology and Transplantation hoisted the Donate Life flag outside UTMC on Wednesday to mark National Donate Life Month.
Both Charette and Smith have a personal connection to organ transplant.
Charette donated a kidney to her husband, Brent Charette, who was suffering from an autoimmune disease that attacked his kidneys, at UTMC in 2022, and Smith received a kidney transplant last year from a living donor.
Charette joined UTMC after donating her kidney, in part because of her experience with the hospital as a kidney donor. Smith joined UTMC shortly before his procedure.
National Donate Life Month aims to raise awareness of organ donation, honor those who have saved lives through organ donation and to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.
UTMC partnered with Life Connection of Ohio on the flag-raising ceremony.
For more information on organ, eye and tissue donation or to register as a donor, visit Life Connection of Ohio’s website.
Lisa Wilson, transplant outreach coordinator, left, and Christine Stesney-Ridenour, UTMC chief operating officer.
Dr. Michael Rees, surgical director of UTMC’s kidney transplant program, left, and Christine Stesney-Ridenour, UTMC chief operating officer.