Mayor Encourages Organ, Tissue Donations
The Texas Organ Sharing Alliance and the City of McAllen hosted a donor flag raising ceremony in front of City Hall Thursday, to increase awareness about organ and tissue donations.
McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez, McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez and TOSA representatives raised the organ donor flag and honored the generosity of organ donors and their families and paid tribute to their special gifts.
The ceremony was held ahead of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from the month of September through October.
“Myths regarding organ donation continue to be the major barrier preventing many Hispanics from becoming organ and tissue donors,” TOSA states on its website.
“The City of McAllen is proud to raise the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance flag in front of City Hall to increase awareness about organ donations. National Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to celebrate our culture and learn about extending life to others,” said McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez.
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, the number of people awaiting transplants nationwide has surpassed 103,000. In Central and South Texas there are a total of 3,869 patients waiting for a life- savings organ transplant of which 3,463 need a kidney transplant. In 2008, 19 families in the Rio Grande Valley consented to organ donation.