'Donate Life Month' flag raised in honor of organ donors and recipients

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- April is 'National Donate Life Month', saluting organ donors and highlighting the ever-present need for organ donors.

There was a special ceremony at Froedtert Hospital Wednesday, marking Donate Life Month. 

A 'Donate Life Month' flag was raised to honor both the donors and the recipients of life saving organs and a 100 second moment of silence was held to represent more than 100,000 people in the U.S. who are still waiting for a new lease on life through a donation. 

Wednesday's ceremony included testimony from organ recipients, like John Kuspa, a retired Milwaukee police detective who received a donor kidney and liver. He now works with Froedtert as an advocate for donations. 

During that time, I really forged a great relationship with Froedtert," said Kuspa. "Where they actually became, it's hard for me, a second family and it continues to this date." 

In Wisconsin, more than 1,400 people need organ donations. 

Anyone 15 or older can register as a donor, regardless of age, health, gender or ethnic or racial background.