There were few dry eyes in the room when Rosemary Latanich finished speaking about her son Andrew at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center’s Donate Life Month event Friday.
The event commemorated those who have donated, raised awareness for those in need of a transplant, and encouraged others to get on the donor registry.
“He gave his gift of life to those in need,” Latanich explained.
Her son was just 26 years old when he hit his head in an unforeseeable accident. While the doctors did all they could to save him, Andrew passed away after spending time in a coma.
Latanich said, while his life was cut tragically short, he lives on through his status as an organ donor. She recounted four individuals received organs and many others received tissue.
“There’s no doubt Andrew was a hero,” said PBRMC’s Chief Operations Officer Steve Nelson.
He stated PBRMC referred 43 patients for transplant and five received organs in 2023.
“We’ve increased every year the number of donations,” Nelson said. Vice President of Mid-American Transplant Linsey Speir applauded the hospital’s efforts.
“We are inspired by Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center’s dedication to our mission,” she remarked.
Poplar Bluff Mayor Shane Cornman presented Nelson with a proclamation to raise awareness of PBRMC’s work in the organ donation field as well as to encourage residents to register as donors.
“It’s such an immediate need,” Cornman said.
The event concluded with recognition for donor families and refreshments for those in attendance.