National Donate Life Month

National Donate Life Month is observed each year in April. This is a time where we celebrate those who have given the gift of life to those waiting for donations and recognize those who are on the waiting list to receive a donation. We also want to give thanks to those who are registered donors. In honor of National Donate Life Month, we’re sharing some answers to FAQs about organ donation:

Who can be a donor?

To better understand who is a good fit to be a donor, there are two types of donors to differentiate between. One donor is a living donor, the other is a deceased donor. People of all ages and medical histories can decide to be a deceased donor, however, the person’s medical condition at their time of death will determine whether they are a good fit for donation. If you are a living donor, you should be in good overall health, both physically and mentally, and over 18 years of age. Some medical conditions can prevent an individual from being a good fit for a living donor. 

Does registering as a donor change the type of patient care I receive?

No, absolutely not. This is a great question and one that many ask. Doctors take a solemn oath to do no harm and to treat their patients to the best of their ability. If someone has decided to be an organ donor, this does not change the quality or type of care they receive. Only when a patient is declared clinically and legally dead are they considered for organ donation if they have registered as an organ donor.

Why do I need to register to be an organ donor if I have decided I would like to be one?

The vast majority of Americans recognize organ donation as a positive thing and an opportunity to give life and hope to those who need it. Unfortunately, many people overlook the important step of registering as a donor. Often, those who would be good deceased organ donor candidates, pass away suddenly and unexpectedly. Because of this, if they are not registered, this difficult decision gets passed to the family members of the deceased during a time of shock and grief. Registering takes this potential burden off of your family.

Learn more on Donate Life’s website here.

Santiam Hospital & Clinics Wins the 2021 Hope Award

We are honored to announce that we have received the 2021 PNTB Hope Award! The 2021 Hope Awards are presented to hospitals in the PNTB service area in honor of our partnership and collaboration toward saving lives through organ donation. The efforts of our hospital staff, in a uniquely challenging year in health care, led to 523 life-saving transplants and gave hope to thousands of others waiting.

The teardrop shape of this award is meant to symbolize the tears of love, loss, life renewed, and of shared gratitude for our efforts during this final act of kindness. We are grateful for this award as a way to honor the lives of these donors.

This award speaks volumes of our amazing staff members at Santiam Hospital. As they work with the loved ones of these patients, they are able to help them make tough decisions that help save the lives of so many others.

Santiam Hospital & Clinics is a not-for-profit, 40 bed acute-care hospital located in Stayton, Oregon, which is a short 12-mile drive east of Salem, and serves more than 30,000 people annually from the communities of Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Mill City, Jefferson, and the surrounding areas. To learn more, click here.