Pastors try to raise support for organ donations

Pastors try to raise support for organ donations
By ASHLEY PHILLIPS
Gazette Staff Writer

Across the country, 98,000 people anxiously await their turn for a life-saving organ transplant. Unfortunately, 18 die each day because the necessary organs were not available.

Saving life after life can be applied to some community churches that are encouraging their members to be organ and tissue donors.

Local churches, such as First United Methodist, Tyler Memorial, Andersonville United Methodist and Chillicothe Baptist, are all participating in the National Donor Sabbath this weekend in an effort to educate Ohioans.

"We encourage folks to give the gifts of organs for life," said Pastor Charles Chase, of First United Methodist Church.
During the weekend of Nov. 9 to 11, nearly 260 religious organization throughout central and southeastern Ohio will address the issue.

"Our church recognizes the life benefit of being a donor, just like Christ gave his life for us,"said Pastor Christine Case of Anderson United Methodist Church.

The national awareness event is for religious leaders to show their support for organ and tissue donation. It began in 1994 to dispel the common myth that religions do not allow or support donations.

"We have been participating for years in the organ and tissue donation and we do remind our members about being an organ donor," said Pastor Jim Groves of Tyler Memorial Church.

"We've been bringing attention to this cause for several years, and we've been a participant for years as well," said Pastor Case of First United Methodist Church.

Religious leaders in Ohio will send the message to their congregation through material by Lifeline of Ohio, the organ procurement organization serving central and southeastern Ohio. These include educational brochures, donor memorials, quilt displays, donate life bookmarks and bulletin inserts.


(Phillips can be reached at 772-9376 or via e-mail at phillips@nncogannett.com