Grayson County Coroner Joe Brad Hudson and the Grayson County Coroner’s Office were recognized at the Kentucky Coroner’s Association Conference “for remarkable efforts to save and heal lives through donations.”
Due to the nature of the office, it is rare for a coroner to be honored for helping save or heal lives, but since 2019, the Grayson County Coroner’s Office has referred 35 potential tissue donors to the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) when responding to deaths.
This effort has helped Kentucky show a dramatic increase in donations and transplants over the last five years.
“Thanks to Joe Brad Hudson and coroner’s offices around the commonwealth, more Kentuckians will receive their gift of life,” said Julie Bergen, President & CEO of KODA. “Coroners are a key partner and play an integral role in saving and healing lives. We honor them, especially as we celebrate April as National Donate Life Month, and express our thanks for the vital work they do every day.”
As is true with organ donors, tissue donors have the opportunity to save lives through their gifts, as the gift of tissue treats severe burn victims and spinal injuries during heart bypass and other cardiac surgeries. Donated heart valves are transplanted to correct complex congenital heart defects when mechanical valves cannot be used, KODA officials said.
Additionally, when used in young patients, gifted heart valves can grow with the recipient and reduce the need for repeated surgeries.
“Kentucky Organ Donation Affiliates is dedicated to saving lives with organ and tissue donations, and I am pleased me and my office can take an active role helping with the organization’s healing and life-saving agenda,” Hudson said.
Despite a global pandemic, over 1,000 organ, tissue and cornea donors gave the gift of life locally last year, according to Bergen.
“The increase in donations has been consistent over the past five years, thanks in large part to the commitment of our partners, especially coroners like Joe Brad,” Bergen stated.
With the number of people waiting for a transplant far exceeding the quantity of organs, tissues and corneas that are available, the need is great, KODA officials said. Everyone can register online as a donor at RegisterMe.org.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
