A flag marking a year-long campaign to encourage organ donation was raised at Huntington Town Hall Tuesday.
Two town employees, one celebrating the anniversary of his heart transplant, and another awaiting a kidney donation, spoke about their experiences and the need for more donations in New York, which lags nearly all other states.
Two town employees, Christian Siems, who received a heart transplant eight years ago, and Jonas Wagner, an aide to Town Supervisor Ed Smyth, spoke about their experiences and the need for more donations. Tuesday was the eighth anniversary of the heart transplant that saved Siems’ life; Wagner is awaiting a kidney donation. The town will use its board meeting room Wednesday to host a swabbing event to help find a match for Wagner.
Karen Cummings of Live On New York, which facilitates organ donations and assists those in need, said, “Every person can really make a difference,” with one donor able to provide life-saving help to eight recipients.
The flag was raised at Veterans Plaza in front of Town Hall, in recognition of National Donate Life Month.
-
- Photos by Bob Giglione
‘Donate Life’ Flag Flies Over Huntington to Encourage Organ Donations