Deceased Organ Donors Honored in Special Tree of Life Gathering

COLTON>> Losing a loved one is never easy. The pain, emptiness and longing to embrace the deceased remains long after the passing, but the act of donating eases some of the grief. Last month, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center partnered with OneLegacy, an organ, tissue and cornea donation organization, for a Tree of Life gathering to honor and remember the lives of many who have passed. More than 300 people, mostly family and friends, filled ARMC’s main hospital lobby to remember loved ones, listen to speakers whose lives were extended because of tissue and organ donations and socialize with others sharing heartfelt memories. Three speakers provided testimonials of a life in need of an organ, tissue or cornea donation, realizing their sustained living was because of another’s passing. There was no shortage of emotions as each of the three spoke giving thanks to those in attendance for their loved one’s lifesaving donation. Tears of joy filled the faces of attendees as the evening progressed. Tree of Life leaves adorned with the names of deceased donors lined a table at the front of the lobby. Family members came up to receive their loved one’s leaf and placed it on the tree which decorates a large wall in the ARMC lobby. As the event came to a close, family members gathered by the Tree of Life for photos and to reflect on memories of one life passed only to further another life in need.