Loved Ones Live On Through Organ Donations at Service at Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer

dyer-ceremony-2016Vicki Olds, of Lakes of the Four Seasons, left, is consoled by longtime friend Tanisha Basham, of University Park, Ill., before they spoke at an annual and emotional Donate Life Prayer Service at Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer April 23.

Basham was the recipient of a direct donor heart transplant from Olds’ daughter, Nikki Smith, who died unexpectedly, last year. The 18-year-old college student, whose likeness was displayed at the program, was pronounced dead at the hospital, where her organs were recovered. She and the family were cared for by hospital Intensive Care Unit staff members, represented at the ceremony by Erin Keith, department manager, who also spoke at the service, along with Linda Kraiko, hospital senior director of patient services; Michael Stenger, hospital president; and Nicholas Perkins, hospital chaplain.

The Rev. Henry Sequeira, hospital chaplain, who presided over a prayer service. The young woman’s lungs, liver and kidneys also were donated. One of her kidneys helped save the life of another family friend. The hospital partners with the Gift of Hope Organ and Donor Tissue Network and the Indiana Eye Bank to facilitate organ, eye and tissue donations.

For more information on the Donate Life program, visit: www.DonateLifeIndiana.org