Zandra Chard (right) standing with her cohort learning about Organ Donation.
In the past 19 years, college students across the state of Michigan have inspired more than 40,000 people to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry (giftoflifemichigan.org). As Baker College continues to press toward the goal of signing up the most organ and tissue donors during this year’s challenge, we will share more inspiring stories from our very own Baker hive.
As the current Program Director of Surgical Technology (Owosso), Zandra Chard earned an Associate Degree in Applied Health Science/Major Surgical Technology and Bachelor of Health Service Administration from Baker and is currently pursuing an MBA/Leadership Studies, also at Baker. She is also a member of the Baker College Ambassador and Advisory Committee. Chard reflects on the positive impact of organ donation.
It’s never easy losing a friend or loved one. Especially when it’s unexpected and you don’t have the chance to tell them you loved them. My family and I just recently suffered a loss this past month. My family member was an organ donor and was on the registry for Gift of Life. Not knowing the process preceding her final breath was a thought process that never occurred. It wasn’t until the Gift of Life support staff informed us of the “Walk of Honor.” The “Walk of Honor” is a ceremonial event to commemorate a patient whose organs are donated. As we walked through the halls, there were support staff from all departments of the hospital, friends, family members, and bystanders stretched along the walls on the journey to the operating room. The overwhelming support, honor, and profoundness of being proud was an understatement. Being an organ donor can save up to 8 lives and help others in need. Being a donor provides a life-giving, life-enhancing opportunity to those who are at the end of the line for hope.
The challenge runs through February 29th. Keep up with Baker’s ranking here.