From left to right are Donald Leitch, heart and kidney recipient, Susanne Adcock, Alleghany County Board of Supervisors, Jackie Almarode, teacher/driver's education instructor Alleghany High School, standing behind Greg is Carla Dobbs, BSN, RN, Director of Performance Improvement Lewis Gale Hospital Alleghany, Greg Madsen, CEO, Lewis Gale Hospital Alleghany.

Hospital’s New Donor Garden Plants Seeds for Organ Donation   Low Moor, VA (June, 2011) - In Virginia alone, there are more than 2,500 people waiting for an organ that could give them a second chance at life. This critical shortage has led LewisGale Hospital Alleghany to plant a donor garden in front of the hospital to remind the community about the importance of organ donation and to honor those individuals and families who have made the decision to donate. “A tree is often used as the universal symbol of life, longevity, and regeneration, and in this case, represents the gift of life that transplant recipients experience,” said Carolyn Snyder, R.N., PCCN. Carolyn came up with idea of the donor garden. She serves as the hospital’s liaison for LifeNet Health, an organ and tissue procurement organization. “Hopefully the donor garden will cause more people to consider organ donation,” she said. “Every week three Virginians die waiting on an organ.” For now, the garden consists of a single tree donated by MeadWestvaco when the garden was dedicated back in April in celebration of Donate Life Month. During the groundbreaking ceremony Greg Madsen, CEO, LewisGale Hospital Alleghany, also issued a call to action for the Alleghany Highlands to embrace and support organ donation. “One donor can save up to nine lives,” he said. “It’s time for people to learn the facts about organ donation and to realize the difference it can make for so many people even in our own community.” This summer the hospital plans to add flowers and a plaque to make the garden complete. The shovel used for the groundbreaking ceremony will also be mounted in the hospital lobby inside a shadow box. “The plan is to add something new every year,” said Carolyn. To learn more about organ donation go to www.DonateLifeVirginia.org or visit your local DMV for more information. The public can also contact Carolyn Snyder at Lewis Gale Hospital Alleghany for information by calling (540) 862-6011, extension 6362. * * * * * About LewisGale Hospital Alleghany LewisGale Hospital Alleghany is part of LewisGale Regional Health System which includes 4 hospitals, 2 regional cancer centers, 6 outpatient centers and affiliations with nearly 700 physicians, including 135 employed providers and 550 independent physicians. With more than 3,300 employees, its annual payroll is $219.5 million. The system also paid $28.4 million in taxes and provided more than $73.5 million in uncompensated care to those most in need in 2009 alone. LewisGale is also part of HCA Virginia, the largest and most comprehensive healthcare provider in the Commonwealth with more than 13,000 employees. For more information see www.lewisgale.com.

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