The skies cleared for Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center to raise the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) flag around noon today. The flag-raising is in support of Organ Donation Month.
Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) works to save lives through organ and tissue donation. The agency’s motto is “making life happen!” LOPA is Louisiana’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery organization.
Donor Matthew Carter
Nichole Carter, the older sister of Matthew Carter, spoke during the ceremony of her younger brother. Matthew’s organs were donated in 2020 after his passing. Carter said her brother wanted to become a doctor. Instead of saving lives as a doctor, her brother saved lives as an organ donor. Their parents Jerry and Chelline Carter were also at the ceremony.
Recipient Ryan Gallet
Ryan Gallet received a heart transplant on August 16, 2022. He was with his wife, Christine, and their family at the ceremony. Gallet said he was on the heart transplant list for nine weeks before receiving the transplant. He thanked families like the Carter’s who made the decision for organ donation. He also thanked LOPA and encouraged everyone to be an organ donor.
