From The Trussville Tribune Staff Reports
BIRMINGHAM – The Alabama Organ Donor Center has opened at 502 20th Street South as a part of National Donate Life Month.
The center opened in an effort to increase the number of organs recovered for transplant, in turn saving more lives.
“This is a great achievement for the people of the state of Alabama, especially those who are registered to be organ donors and those who are in need of a transplant,” said Chris Meeks, executive director of the AOC. “We believe the potential to save more lives through organ donation will be increased with the new recovery center.”
The Center began receiving tissue donation in December of 2015 and began transferring organ donors in February of 2016.
Devin Eckhoff, M.D., director of UAB’s Division of Transplantation in the School of Medicine and medical director of the AOC, said in a press release the addition of the recovery center will increase the number of suitable organs available for transplants and provide for more efficient care for patients.
“We always say organ donors are true heroes because they make a conscious decision to enrich the lives of others upon their death,” Eckhoff said. “The Donor Recovery Center will enable physicians to create a tight network that can administer more consistent and protocoled care, which will translate into organs more suitable for transplant. It ensures their gifts are maximized in our efforts to help others reach transplant.”