Raye Honored by Legacy of Hope

Raye Honored by Legacy of Hope

By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Last week, Legacy of Hope, Alabama’s Organ and Tissue Donation Alliance, hosted their Inaugural Stars of Hope Gala. 

Trudy Raye of the DeKalb County Probate Office was one of the over 100 individuals recognized for contributions to supporting organ and tissue donation.

The Gala was held to honor many Legacy of Hope partners that make organ and tissue donation possible. The evening’s speaker was Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P.M., Rear Admiral, USPHS (retired). After losing both his wife and daughter, who happened to be organ donors, in separate automobile accidents, Dr. Moritsugu has been involved with donation and transplantation.

“We rely on our dedicated Ambassadors to reach the communities we serve, our hospital partners who build a culture of donation, medical examiners and coroners, funeral homes and community outreach organizations who bridge gaps through education and dedication to our mission,” said Ann Rayburn of Legacy of Hope via a press release. “All of these people are Stars of Hope to the nearly 1,500 men, women and children waiting for an organ transplant in Alabama.”

Nine crystal award honorees were recognized for their significant contributions to the mission of Legacy of Hope. Those honorees were:

  • Decatur Morgan Hospital, Outstanding Performance Life-Enhancing Tissue Donation
  • Elizabeth Vernon, Palliative Care, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center
  • Dr. Gregory Ayers, Director of Palliative Medicine, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center
  • Scott Belton, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
  • Sara Macedon, Perioperative Services, UAB Hospital
  • Rose Anthony, Director of Risk Management, DCH Regional Medical Center
  • Shelby County License Department, Outstanding Donor Registry Rate
  • Nikki Norman, Trauma Surgical ICU Manager, DCH Regional Medical Center
  • Neal Parker, Founder, “Hook a Line, Save a Life” Tournament in memory of his son, Ryan Parker

“This year, thanks to our many Stars of Hope honorees, Legacy of Hope recovered more organs and tissues for transplant than in any year of our history,” states Chris Meeks, Executive Director Legacy of Hope.  “Through their efforts, families feel confident in the decision to donate and more people’s lives are saved and enhanced through transplantation.  We are eternally grateful to the generous individuals who register to donate and the families that support donation.”

Today, over 100,000 people are waiting for organ transplants across America. On average, 22 of those die each day because there aren’t enough organs available. For more information on how to register as an organ donor, please visit www.legacyofhope.org.