NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH-ORGAN DONATION PROGRAM GIVEN MEDAL OF HONOR

Organ Donation Program Given Medal Of Honor

WFMZ ALLENTOWN, PA

Dan Rinkus | Web Producer

Local and federal officials are saluting St. Luke's Hospital for its work with organ donations.

This morning, the Gift of Life Donor Program and the federal government honored the hospital with the Medal of Honor award.

Gift of Life officials said St. Luke's had a 75% donor rate last year.

That puts it in the top 3% of hospitals nationwide.

"One person can save the lives of up to 50 people with organ and tissue transplants," said Howard M. Nathan, president and CEO of Gift of Life. "So that's why it's so important that when families say 'yes' to donation, they really do save lives."

St. Luke's is no stranger to the Medal of Honor award. The hospital has received it every year since it was first handed out in 2005.