BJU Celebrates Donate Life Month

by   |     |   [email protected]   |  

GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 5, 2021) – Bob Jones University will partner with Donate Life South Carolina and We Are Sharing Hope SC to promote the SC Donate Life movement by celebrating National Donate Life Month.

BJU joins both organizations and over a dozen public and private universities throughout the Palmetto State supporting the Donate Life movement—a coalition of recipients and donor families, state and local leaders, health care professionals, clergy members, education and business leaders and everyday South Carolinians who saved more than 39,000 lives nationwide and over 500 lives in South Carolina during 2020.

“After witnessing the wonderful example of selfless donation by our graduate Margaret Stegall, a living donor, to fellow graduate Janet Thorin, it seemed only fitting BJU would become involved in supporting this vital cause,” said BJU President Steve Pettit. “We are honored to help create awareness for Donate Life and organ donation here in South Carolina.”

During April, the BJU student body will hold several events. Student body leaders will kick off University’s efforts by officially declaring the start of Donate Life Month on campus. From April 5-9, the fountains on front campus will be illuminated by blue lights.

In honor of National Living Donor Day, BJU will also participate in a state-wide ceremonial passing of the Flame of Life. Students in the BJU School of Health Professions will receive the torch Wednesday, April 7, at 10 a.m. and carry it across campus to a ceremony where Dr. Jessica Minor, dean of the School of Health Professions, will accept the torch and pass it on to its next stop at Furman University located in Greenville Friday, April 9.

The Flame’s journey represents the work of We Are Sharing Hope SC, the state’s organ procurement organization, in facilitating and stewarding the gift of life. The Flame itself symbolizes the gift of life given by SC’s donor heroes to their recipients.

The start and end point of the journey are also symbolic. The relay will begin at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters where more than 90% of SC’s donors register. The Flame of Life will end its tour at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, home to the state’s full-service transplant center.

A representative group of BJU students will observe a moment of silence with healthcare workers across the state on April 16 at 1:08 p.m. The moment honors SC donor heroes and the eight lives one donor can save.

Donate Life South Carolina and We Are Sharing Hope SC are the state and federally designated nonprofit organizations that manage lifesaving and life changing organ, eye and tissue donations in SC. Together, they steward the gift of life and work to create a more donation-friendly state.

Share: