RICHMOND, Va., (Nov. 20, 2020) — This week in Richmond, LifeNet Health was proud to partner with CJW Johnston Willis Hospital and Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital to honor organ and tissue donors by unveiling two new 2020 donor memorials. The donor memorials honor donors and their families for their selfless decision to donate to help save lives and restore the health of others.

The LifeNet Health Foundation provided grant funding for these memorials. CJW Johnston Willis Hospital unveiled a donation themed “Tree of Life” wall sculpture made of Virginia black walnut displaying vibrant brass and copper leaves in the design. The Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital “Gift of Hope” sculpture was made of white oak, copper and brass with nine sections connecting to the trunk of the tree. Each of the nine sections symbolizes the nine lives which can be saved through organ donation and the colorful blue and copper leaves represent the lives healed through tissue donation.

Both memorials, which were created by local artist Austin Warner from Trouble Dog Art, display the names of those who have helped save and heal others through organ and tissue donation. A former registered nurse, Warner is known for her creative work with a variety of alternative surfaces such as reclaimed or up-cycled wood or furniture, as well as naturally occurring earth elements. She was also personally touched by donation when a family member received the selfless gift of a liver transplant.

These memorials will be a permanent fixture at the hospitals to serve as a reminder of the powerful gift of donation. Currently, there are more than 110,000 men, women and children waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in the U.S., and another person is added every 10 minutes. One donation can save the lives of nine people through organ donation and help heal more than 150 through tissue donation. Anyone can join the organ and tissue donation registry by going to RegisterMe.org.

(Left: CJW Johnston Willis Hospital 2020 donor memorial, Right: Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital 2020 donor memorial)