Each year, the Transplant Resource Center of Maryland hosts a Donor Remembrance Ceremony as a way to honor those who have donated their organs and tissues and their families who supported their decision.
"This will be the tenth year that TRC has held a Rebembrance Ceremony in April, to celebrate National Donate Life Month" said Julie Crumbacker, Director of TRC’s Family Services Department.
In addition to the April Ceremony which usually has about 500 people in attendance, TRC hosts a Western Maryland ceremony and an Eastern Shore ceremony every other year. "These Ceremonies are as much for our Donor Families to memorialize their loved ones as they are for the Transplant Recipients who received a life-saving gift to say ‘thanks,’ added Mrs. Crumbacker.
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| The next Ceremony of Remembrance titled; "Symphony of Life" will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2006 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Campus of Goucher College in Towson, MD. For more information or to attend please contact a Transplant Resource Center of Maryland Family Advocate at 410-242-7000 |  |
Often times the Ceremonies provide an opportunity for some transplant recipients to meet – for the first time- the family of their organ or tissue donor. During each Ceremony donor families and transplant recipients share their personal stories; a slide presentation of TRC organ and tissue donors is shown; and this year each donor family will be presented with a steel bell to chime in remembrance of their loved one.
"These Ceremonies remind us of the importance of organ and tissue donation – through transplant recipients and their second chance at life to the healing donation provides to our donor families," said Mrs. Crumbacker.
-Patricia Tellman, TRC
