Tampa, Florida, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHO: Meet an altruistic kidney donor and recipient who are reuniting for the first time since transplant surgery earlier this year, enjoy a special invocation from a heart transplant recipient and listen to a heart transplant musician accompany the donor flag raising ceremony.
WHAT: April is Donate Life Month and April 22 marks the special Blue and Green Day, to help spread the importance of registering to be an organ donor.
- HCA Florida Largo Hospital CEO Adam Rudd and HCA Florida West Florida Division President Ravi Chari, MD, open the event with inspiring words of appreciation for The Gift of Life.
- Altruistic kidney donor Guy Kitchens and recipient Jeff Cooper will share their transplant journey after surgery - their first meeting since the day after surgery. Read the beginning of their story here: https://www.hcafloridahealthcare.com/locations/largo-hospital/about-us/newsroom/retired-first-responder-patient-meets-his-match
- Public Affairs Lifelink Foundation Manager Ashley Moore will tell us how anyone can be a donor and unveil the 2022 Donate Life month campaign chalk art by a local artist.
- Heart transplant recipient Albert Juarez discusses his excitement to ‘not just exist, but to make a difference’ with a special prayer as he discusses his new direction as a chaplain for Peace River Search and Rescue with his wife and trained-dog and more.
- Music enthusiast and heart transplant recipient Anthony Gonzalez will play a special song as we raise the donate life flag in honor of organ donors to close the ceremony.
Transplant surgeons and all participants available for interview following ceremony.
WHEN: Friday, April 22, 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
WHERE: HCA Florida Largo Hospital | 201 14th St SW, Largo, FL 33770; main entrance flag pole
CONTACT: Tiffany Briggs, Director of Communications and Community Engagement, (941) 713-4509 – cell
A few parking spaces will be reserved for your convenience. Free valet parking is also available.
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