Versiti Blood Center kicks off 'Donate Life Month' with flag raising ceremony

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As "Donate Life Month" kicks off, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin is front and center with events taking place all month long. 

They kicked off the festivities with a flag raising ceremony at their headquarters in Milwaukee.

The flag was raised at exactly 1:08 p.m., signifying that one organ donation can save up to eight lives. 

Today, Versiiti took time to celebrate the recipients of organ transplants and the lives they continue to lead, as well as honoring the acts of generosity from people no longer with us who were willing to donate their own organs. 

"We celebrate Donate Life Month; we take a moment to celebrate our transplant recipients. You can just image how their world changed because of a decision to donate," said Colleen McCarthy, vice president, Versiti Organ and Tissue Donation.

Looking ahead to next Friday, donor families and organ recipients will join at the Milwaukee Sail Loft as the Hoan Bridge will be lit up blue and green for National Blue and Green Day. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the need for organ donations to help save lives across our community. 

Currently, 1,500 of the 100,000 Americans waiting on organ transplants live in Wisconsin.