Watch as Lakeland Regional Receives National Medal of Honor from LifeLink of Florida
Monday, June 20 2011
LifeLink of Florida recently honored Lakeland Regional Medical Center with the National Medal of Honor for the sixth year in a row for our tremendous outcomes in the area of organ and tissue donations. LifeLink recognized LRMC’s spirit of collaboration and dedication in recovering life-saving and life-enhancing organs and tissue that ultimately changed the lives of 40 patients in 2010.
Kathryn Killam, a 23-year-old who received a kidney and liver transplant
“This is unbelievably phenomenal because Lakeland Regional is the only organization in our service area to achieve this for six consecutive years,” said Melissa J. Knapp, Associate Executive Director of LifeLink of Florida.
During the award ceremony at Lakeland Regional, one patient stood to tell her story of survival and why she was thankful for the work of our hospital and that of LifeLink of Florida. At the age of 23, Kathryn Killam had spent two years on dialysis. Kathryn was once a thriving woman who lived for spending time with her friends and attending college classes, but found herself with a life-threatening illness and in need of a new liver and kidney.
“I had to quit school and I was too weak to hang out with my friends,” recalled Kathryn.
Kathryn’s days were filled with sleepless nights and visits to the emergency room. However, one morning at 4 a.m., she received a call from her transplant coordinator who said they found a donor for her. That moment was bittersweet for Kathryn, as she was joyful to have the opportunity to regain her life, but deeply saddened that another family had just lost a loved one.
“I was just so thankful,” said Kathryn.
Kathryn’s sense of gratitude is evident, as she has a new passion for life — now completely recovered, in school for elementary education and taking every opportunity to share her story with others.
Lakeland Regional is proud to be the recipient of the National Medal of Honor and to work with LifeLink of Florida to save the lives of patients like Kathryn. Furthermore, at the award ceremony, representatives from Lakeland Regional unveiled plans for a new “Wall of Heroes” – which will prominently be displayed on the first floor of the hospital in honor of those who gave the gift of life.
For more information about LifeLink of Florida, go to www.lifelinkfound.org or www.facebook.com/lifelinkoflorida