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Hoag to Honor Tissue Donors and their Families at 'Book of Life' Ceremony

What: Families of tissue donors will receive recognition of their loved one’s gift at Hoag’s “Book of Life” memorial in an event co-hosted by Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and OneLegacy, the organ, eye and tissue procurement organization serving the seven-county greater Los Angeles area.

A tissue donor’s last act in this world is to change the life of someone else – almost always a stranger. Families of recent Hoag tissue donors will be presented with a certificate and a replica of a book bearing the name of their loved one as listed in the Book of Life. Initially created in 2011, the book has been updated with the 2013 tissue donor names. Hoag established the Book of Life to provide a place for families to visit and reflect on the gift their loved one passed on to another, and to inspire others to become donors.

Families in attendance will also have the opportunity to handwrite, onto a rose, personal messages and dedications to their loved ones. These will be incorporated into the Donate Life Float as part of the 126th Rose Parade® on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2015.

Hoag has a long-standing commitment to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation and has the highest number of tissue donors each year in Orange County.

Who: Attendees and speakers to include:
• Family of Melanie Ann Clarke-Torres, a 43 year old donor who was a bone donor.
• Robert T. Braithwaite, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hoag
• Dr. Rosemary O’Meeghan, Intensivist, Critical Care Department, Hoag
• Prasad Garimella, COO and CIO, One Legacy
• Cindy Stokke, Member, Hoag Board of Directors and Hoag Hospital Foundation Board of Directors
• Dr. Michael Brant-Zawadzki, The Ron and Sandi Simon Endowed Chair, Executive Medical Director, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute

When: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Hoag Hospital Newport Beach
Maseeh Chapel
1 Hoag Drive
Newport Beach, CA, 92663

*Parking will be validated and is available in the Dolphin Structure near the Emergency Department entrance, across from the Sue & Bill Gross Women’s Pavilion.