Gift of Life reports busy weekend of organ transplants

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Action News has already reported on a successful organ transplant over the Papal weekend involving a South Jersey woman who had a police escort over the closed Ben Franklin Bridge.

But she was not alone, as the Gift of Life Donor Program reports a very active weekend.

21 people within the tristate area received organs.

There were 10 donors and an additional 14 tissue donors which could go to help more than 500 people.

Richard Hasz, Vice President of Clinical Services at the Gift of Life, says they had 17 pages of contingency plans for the Papal weekend.

He says with all the road closures, it took coordination with the hospitals, healthcare desk, police, Secret Service and transportation services.

"Our main office is in the secure zone and many organs and tissues had to come here for testing so we had to make sure we could get organs and specimens inside and outside the zone," Hasz said.

All in all, he says, the system worked and it truly reflects the words of Pope Francis: "Organ donation is a testimony of love for our neighbor."

Those same words hang on a banner outside the Gift of Life headquarters in Philadelphia.

"Organ donation and transplant really is about helping your neighbor and making sure that during a very difficult time for you, you may be able to reach out and help somebody else," Hasz said.

You can become a donor by marking your license or going to Donors1.org