East Bay Mother And Organ Donor Siwutha Meas To Be Honored At The 133rd Rose Parade
Donor Network West and Kaiser Permanente Unveil Memorial Floral Portrait at November 30 Ceremony to Raise Awareness about Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
(SAN MATEO, CA) November 29, 2021 – Donor Network West and Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center will honor Siwutha Meas, an East Bay mother and organ donor, with the unveiling of a memorial “floragraph” at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 30 at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices in San Mateo located at 1000 Franklin Pkwy. Siwutha, known to her family as Sam, gave a second chance at life to three people through organ donation, when she unexpectedly passed away from an aneurysm in 2020.
During the November 30 event, Khandy, Siwutha’s husband, and her twin daughters Linda and Jinny, will complete the floragraph of Siwutha, which will adorn the “Courage to Hope,” 2022 Donate Life Rose Parade® float at the 133rd Rose Parade on January 1, 2022 in Pasadena, California. Her floragraph will be one of 44 portraits made from organic materials in memory of organ, eye, and tissue donors from across the United States.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” – Acts 20:35, a philosophy she never failed to live by, especially in her final gift of life as she rose from this Earth,” says Swiutha’s daughter Linda Lelao. “Her life was an inspiring chapter of life’s larger unfolding story; the imprint she left on the hearts of our family, as well as on her recipients and their loved ones, merely adds to her beautiful memory.”
Donor Network West has helped facilitate the recovery of every lifesaving organ in northern California and northern Nevada for the past 35 years. The federally designated non-profit organ procurement organization is dedicated to helping provide people with a second chance at life through organ, eye and tissue donation for transplantation and research.
“We are honored to celebrate the legacy of Siwutha at the 2022 Rose Parade,” said Janice Whaley, President and CEO of Donor Network West. “She will always be remembered as the selfless, giving mother who transformed the lives of others in great need. Her family’s decision to donate life forever changed the lives of her recipients and continues to inspire our communities to register as organ and tissue donors.”
“Kaiser Permanente Redwood City, a long-time partner of Donor Network West, is grateful to recognize and honor Siwutha for her selfless gift of life,” said Josephine Jorge-Reyes, MSN, RN, Chief Nurse Executive at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City. “We will continue to promote organ donations so those who are waiting may have a second chance at life.”
Over 23,000 people await a life-saving organ transplant in California alone. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and a tissue donor can heal more than 75 others. Anyone can register to be an organ donor. To learn more and to register as an organ donor, visit DonorNetworkWest.org.
About Donor Network West
Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation and research. The organization was established in 1987 and is an official Donate Life organization accredited by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). Federally designated to serve 45 counties in Northern California and Northern Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries. For information, visit DonorNetworkWest.org and follow us on social media: @mydnwest.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve almost 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org
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