BloodCenter of Wisconsin, local mother bringing awareness to organ donation

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – A local mother who lost her son when he was just 15 years old and chose to donate his organs is sharing her family’s story to encourage others to do the same.

Nick Smith died suddenly last summer. His family donated his heart, liver, and kidneys to save the lives of five different people.

His tissue was also able to be donated, helping another 50 patients. His mom says her son now lives on in those people.

At exactly 10:08 Monday morning, a flag was raised outside the Blood Center of Wisconsin to signify that every ten minutes a person is added to the transplant waiting list and that one organ donor can save eight lives.

Aurora Hospital was just one of 85 “Donate Life Wisconsin” members to take part in a flag-raising ceremony to promote organ donation Monday morning.

They also held a moment of silence called “pause to give life.”

It’s a new statewide observance that will take place the first Monday of April to mark the start of Donate Life Month.

To join the national organ donor registry and learn more about organ donation, visit www.bcw.edu/sharinglife.