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Since 2007, hospitals across the country have hosted Donate Life Rose Ceremonies to honor their organ, eye, and/or tissue donors. Following are best practices pioneered by several of them.

Huntington Hospital, Pasadena, CA
Each December since 2006, Huntington Hospital has dedicated roses in honor of all of that year’s donors as well as all hospital staff personally touched by donation. The hospital plans the program, contacts their families, and invites the OPO and media.

  • Ceremony is held within two weeks of Christmas
  • Ceremony begins at 4pm
  • Attending families are offered fresh roses
  • Hospital and OPO CEOs speak at the beginning of the program and hand the roses to the families
  • Nurses offer their personal recollections of serving the donor families
  • Other hospital staff are invited to attend
  • Local newspapers and the hospital newsletter have published event photos

Freeman Health System and
St. Johns Medical Center, Joplin, Mo.
Since 2007, competing hospitals Freeman Health System and St. Johns Medical Center of Joplin, Mo. have collaborated to honor their organ, eye and tissue donors. The hospitals work closely with their OPO, Midwest Transplant Network, and Heartland Lions Eye Bank to coordinate the event.

  • Ceremony is held in early December
  • Each Hospital honors all organ, eye and tissue donors from the previous year
  • Mailed invitations are followed up with phone calls to explain that their loved ones are being honored
  • Leadership of all involved parties were challenged to share responsibility for refreshments and roses
  • Hospitals alternate hosting the ceremony
  • CEOs from both hospitals, Midwest Transplant Network and Heartland Lions Eye Bank welcome those in attendance and thank them for their generosity
  • Director of Clinical Operations for Freeman and Director of Clinical Care Services for St. John’s hand out roses and certificates
  • Participation of local float riders and floragraph families as applicable
  • In 2008, media coverage of ceremony on two television stations and an extensive article in the Joplin Globe

Freeman Health Systems held two separate fundraisers to raise money for their participation in the Donate Life Family Circle program. Both fundraisers provided excellent means to engage everyone throughout the hospital to honor their donor families in this meaningful way. From Maintenance to General Surgery, staff participated and felt fully engaged and proud to participate.