UPMC Honors Organ Donors with Special Flag Raising Ceremony

Annual event recognizes donors, recipients, and transplant supporters during National Donate Life Month.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:07pm

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A glowing, neon outline of a human heart pulsing with energy against a dark background, conceptually representing the life-saving power of organ donation.UPMC's annual flag raising ceremony honors the selfless gift of organ donation and the lives it has saved.Harrisburg Today

UPMC hosted a special flag raising ceremony in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to honor organ donors, recipients, and those who support the transplant process during National Donate Life Month. The annual event featured remarks from a recipient who regained their health and energy after a transplant, as well as the mother of an organ donor who called her child a 'hero'.

Why it matters

Organ donation is a critical issue that saves lives, but many people are still hesitant to sign up as donors. Events like UPMC's flag raising ceremony help raise awareness, celebrate donors, and inspire others to consider registering as organ donors.

The details

The flag raising ceremony took place at UPMC's Harrisburg location and was part of the hospital's annual recognition of National Donate Life Month in April. Speakers included organ recipient Ellen Parisan, who shared how she regained her energy and appetite after her transplant surgery, as well as Lori Holtzinger, the mother of an organ donor who called her child a 'hero' for saving lives.

  • The annual flag raising event takes place during National Donate Life Month in April.

The players

Ellen Parisan

An organ recipient who spoke about regaining her health after her transplant surgery.

Lori Holtzinger

The mother of an organ donor who called her child a 'hero' for saving lives.

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What they’re saying

“I started feeling better as I recovered from the surgery, I was getting my energy back and my appetite back.”

— Ellen Parisan, Organ Recipient

“What does it mean to be a donor parent? It means your child is a hero.”

— Lori Holtzinger, Mother of Organ Donor

The takeaway

Events like UPMC's annual flag raising ceremony during National Donate Life Month help raise awareness about the critical need for organ donors, celebrate those who have saved lives through donation, and inspire others to consider registering as donors themselves.