Desert Care Network and One Legacy Foundation commemorated National Donate Life Month by holding a flag-raising event in honor of Anabel Sanchez, a nurse from JFK Memorial Hospital who passed away in an accident. Known for her life-saving work as an ER nurse, Sanchez continued to help others through her organ donation.
National Donate Life Month pays tribute to the generosity of organ donors and stresses the need for more people to register. The flag serves as a symbol to encourage organ, eye, and tissue donation.
“Anabel dedicated her life to caring for others—saving lives every day. Her way of continuing this was by being an organ donor," stated Kim Garcia, RN, trauma prevention coordinator at JFK Memorial. She added, "I will continue to honor her legacy here at JFK. She embodied what it is to be a nurse in the emergency department.”
The event took place at 10:30 a.m. on April 22 at JFK Memorial Hospital, located at 47111 Monroe St., Indio.
OneLegacy reported that in 2024, donors at Desert Regional Medical Center saved 20 lives through organ donation. In addition, 45 individuals received tissue transplants, and 30 were helped with cornea transplants. At JFK Memorial Hospital, 3 lives were saved through organ donation, while 11 people received healing tissue and 6 were given better vision.
People can register as organ or tissue donors at the local DMV or online at www.OneLegacy.org/Register.
The Desert Care Network includes three hospitals—Desert Regional Medical Center, JFK Memorial Hospital, and Hi-Desert Medical Center—and offers a range of services, including trauma centers, a comprehensive stroke network, and intensive care for newborns. More information can be found at www.DesertCareNetwork.com.