April officially decreed Donate Life Month in Avalon

AVALON — As many as 22 people who are on a wait list for organ transplants die every hour, Avalon City Council member Cinde MacGugan-Cassidy stated while reading a proclamation instating Donate Life Month into Catalina Island’s written history on April 3. The proclamation encourages Avalon residents to become organ donors and help chip away at the statistic Cassidy cited during the April 3 City Council meeting. Cassidy, in an email correspondence with The Log, stated this event was near and dear to her heart and the issue of organ donations has personally affected her. “I have known friends whose lives have been prolonged by receiving bone marrow from donors,” Cassidy said. “I have known two major organ recipients whose lives have been saved by transplants. One is a dear, dear friend who just received a heart transplant late last year.” While some can feel a touch squeamish when it comes to blood, bone marrow or organ donations or cannot participate for religious, health or personal reasons, making the choice to give of oneself in this way could be considered the ultimate altruistic act. Avalon’s City Council has taken steps to officiate this day and bring public awareness to a subject that impacts Californians...