Pioneer students emphasize importance of organ donations

Pioneer students emphasize importance of organ donations
Lou Whitmire
News Journal

SHELBY — Seniors in the Medical Technologies Health Academy at Pioneer Career & Technology Center presented their senior project — titled Organ Donation Awareness — at today’s monthly senior citizen luncheon.

Approximately 60 guests enjoyed a turkey dinner while Helen Johnson of Ontario High School talked candidly about the importance of organ donation.


“Looking back at that very day at the hospital, I thought, ‘I’m one of the lucky ones,’ ” said Johnson, reading a quote from a mother who lost her 19-year-old daughter in an automobile accident. “I left the hospital knowing that my daughter’s life was going to go on.”

“Other people who lose a child leave with their grief and nothing else,” Johnson said, explaining that the woman’s daughter was an organ donor.

As she and Pioneer classmates distributed information from Lifeline of Ohio, and how to join the Ohio Donor registry, Johnson shared facts about organ donations.

Johnson, 17, who plans to become a nurse, said her friend’s father is waiting for a liver transplant.

“My father also needs a liver transplant,” she said.

Seniors students, including Rebecca Bowman, whose home school is Crestview High School, handed out Lifesaver candies to the audience at the end of each presentation as a reminder that “you could save a life.”

Nick and Kathy Kreinbrink of Shelby came to enjoy the luncheon and program, bringing with them Nick’s mother, Edna Kreinbrink, who is 92.

“We’re enjoying it,” said Nick, after students in the criminal justice program presented the U.S. flag prior to the luncheon.

Entertainment was provided by Nick Pounds and Shelly Petty.

Pounds, who is enrolled in the medical technologies program at Pioneer and plans to become a radiologist, played guitar while Petty sang. A senior at Northmor High School, Petty traveled to Shelby for the program.

Pounds plans to enter the U.S. Army and become a medic. He also would like to pursue his musical talents.

“But becoming a musician doesn’t pay the rent,” he said.

Many students helped make the monthly luncheon a success. Culinary arts students prepared and served the meal, and criminal justice students assisted guests with parking. Cosmetology and horticulture students also lent a hand at the event.

The crowd was so large they spilled over from the restaurant into a classroom.

For more information about organ donations, go to www.lifelineofohio.org on the Internet.