Cincinnati (April 5, 2017) – The Christ Hospital Health Network is celebrating the start of National Donate Life Month by gathering to share the stories of triumphs and successes with our kidney donors and recipients, and to honor all those who gave the gift of life.
The Donate Life kick-off event will be held Friday, April 7 at 9:30 a.m. in The Christ Hospital Atrium on A-Level.
Speakers include two kidney donors and two kidney recipients; Deborah Hayes, The Christ Hospital Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and the LifeCenter Board of Trustees Chair; and Barry Massa, Life Center Executive Director. WCPO-TV news anchor and kidney donor Tanya O’Rourke will emcee the event. The Christ Hospital’s award-winning singing group, 98.6 Degrees, will also perform at the event.
National Donate Life Month, celebrated each April, was instituted by Donate Life America and its members in 2003 and serves to encourage more Americans to choose to become organ donors. According to LifeCenter, there are more than 118,000 people in the U.S. awaiting a life-saving transplant, including more than 2,200 people in Ohio and more than 500 in Greater Cincinnati.
More than 1,850 kidney transplants have been performed at The Christ Hospital since the transplant program was initiated in 1972. The program has grown to become one of the most successful renal transplant programs in the country and The Christ Hospital Kidney Transplant Center is nationally recognized as a Transplant Center of Excellence. All of our kidney transplant procedures are performed laparoscopically, using the smallest possible incisions. With this technique, both recipients and donors typically experience a reduced length of hospital stay, less discomfort following the procedure, and a shorter recovery period.
Our kidney transplant team has compiled answer many frequently asked questions posed by previous kidney transplant patients to help you and your loved ones understand our process and procedures better. A team member would be happy to answer any further question you may have. For more information about kidney transplantation at The Christ Hospital, call the Kidney Transplant Center at 513-585-2493 or visit
What: Donate Life Kickoff Event
Where: The Christ Hospital A-Level Atrium
When: Friday, April 7 | 9:30 a.m.
If you plan to attend and cover the event, please contact Kendall Herold at
Kendall.Herold@TheChristHospital or 513-585-4900.
About The Christ Hospital Health Network: The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn with six ambulatory centers, more than 1200 physicians and 5600 employees, with neighborhood offices conveniently located throughout the region. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes, affordable care and the finest experiences. Led by the region’s Most Preferred Hospital (National Research Corporation) for 21 consecutive years, the network is dedicated to transforming care by delivering integrated, individualized healthcare and wellness services through its comprehensive physician network and advanced specialty service. The Christ Hospital is among only 6% of hospitals in the nation to be awarded Magnet recognition for nursing excellence and among the top 5% of hospitals in the country for patient satisfaction. For more than 125 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to all those it serves.