North Kansas City Hospital is one of 371 hospitals nationwide honored by the Health Resources and Services Administration for organ donation efforts. The Medal of Honor for Organ Donation was awarded to facilities that achieved and maintained a donation rate of 75 percent or higher of eligible organ donors for at least a year. The national average is 59 percent. "The last three years have shown unprecedented increases in organ donation, thanks to awareness campaigns and the sensitivity and compassion of health care professionals," says Michele Asher, manager of the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

Asher leads the Hospital’s Donate Life Committee along with Cie Spaeth, Emergency Department Education Coordinator. The Donate Life Committee has won several awards for its work and awareness programs. Hospital employees and Auxiliary members have shown support for the team’s efforts by helping to establish and maintain the Gift of Life Garden and the Wall of Life that honors organ donors.

The Donate Life Committee is offering scholarships this spring to Northland juniors and seniors who develop organ donation awareness campaigns. Information was mailed to area high schools in November about the project requirements.

For more information about North Kansas City Hospital’s organ donation efforts contact Michele Asher at (816) 691-5257 or Cie Spaeth at (816) 691-5094.