On November 20, 2003, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) dedicated the National Donor Memorial, honoring America’s organ and tissue donors and their families. The memorial also highlights the impact of their gift of life and underscores the critical importance of increasing organ donation.
Speakers included Walter Graham, Executive Director, UNOS; Russell H. Wiesner, M.D., OPTN/UNOS President; Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., President, Virginia Commonwealth University; Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Surgeon General; Norma Garcia, National Donor Memorial Advisory Committee; Richard DeVos, Cofounder, Amway Corporation, UNOS National Speakers Bureau; and Reg Green, author, The Nicholas Effect.
A volunteer committee consisting of organ donor family members, living donors and recipients representing every region of the county guided the design of the 10,000-square-foot memorial garden. Visitors to the site will take a symbolic journey through the donation process, as experienced by donor families. The National Donor Memorial will be open to the public on January 30, 2004.
