Gift of Life Donor Program luncheon for congregational leadership

Posted by on January 02, 2012

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Gift of Life Donor Program have partnered to offer a learning session luncheon.  This forum is designed for clergy and congregational leadership and is specifically focused on serving families who are making difficult end of life decisions on behalf of their loved ones. All of these families are in crisis.  A small percentage of these families will have a very unique opportunity – the opportunity to save lives through organ and tissue donation.

The myths and misconceptions that prevent families from sharing the gift of life are many. When families receive the care, attention, and information they need at these times of tragedy, as many as seven lives can be saved by one family, making one decision to say yes to organ donation.

As a leader who serves in the communities surrounding HUP, it is also important for you to know that more than 110,000 people are waiting for a life saving organ to become available – more than half of these people are minorities. As a spiritual leader, your support during this intimate time in a family’s life is critical.

Please join us on January 10, 2012,  from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for a thought-provoking program featuring local Clergy leaders, a heart transplant recipient, and a donor family. Registration will begin at 10:30AM.

This session will provide an opportunity to share your experiences in working with members of your congregation. It will also offer regional experts who will share their knowledge about:
o    Serving Families & Saving Lives through Organ Donation
o    Understanding Brain Death
o    Religious and Cultural Perspectives on Organ Donation
o    First-hand sharing by a donor family and organ transplant recipient
o    Donate Life Month – April

This forum will take place at:
The Class of 49 Room
Houston Hall
University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 10104

Houston Hall is across Spruce Street from the main HUP campus. Complimentary parking will be provided to those who park in the Penn Tower Garage, accessed from Convention Avenue.

Please contact the Department of Pastoral Care at 215-662-2591 to confirm your participation in this special program.  In the event that you are unable to personally attend, please identify a leader from your congregation to participate in this event.

Sincerely yours,

Albert Black
Chief Operating Officer

Ralph Ciampa
Director, Pastoral Care