HEALTH CARE LIBRARY’S WELLNESS WEDNESDAY APRIL 27 TO DISCUSS ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION

Source: Grossmont Healthcare District

 April 16, 2016 (La Mesa) -- In honor of National Donate Life Month in April, the Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “Dispelling Myths About Organ and Tissue Donation,” a free presentation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27. The program is part of the library’s Wellness Wednesday series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Speaking will be representatives from Donate Life San Diego, a local chapter of a national organization that promotes organ and tissue donation. More than 13 million Californians have registered to save the lives of others as organ and tissue donors with 95 percent of them through the Department of Motor Vehicles. A growing number of medical partners, including Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, are supporting the effort with banners hanging from parking structures.

“People of all ages and background can be organ donors and thousands of people in the country are in need of organ transplants, but only a small percentage of those waiting actually receive their transplant,” said Kathy Quinn, director, Herrick Community Health Care Library. “Experts say that the organs from one donor can save or help as many as 50 people. Organs can include kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines and lungs, as well as skin, bone and bone marrow and cornea. Join us to find out what you can do to save a life. Information about how to become a donor will be provided. You will also hear the personal story from an organ recipient.”

The Herrick Library, which opened in 2002, is a consumer health public library specializing in health research information, accessible both on-site and via the Internet. The library is operated by the Grossmont Healthcare District, a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County. For more information, phone the library at (619) 825‑5010 or visit www.herricklibrary.org.