'Gift that continues': Organ donors, families honored at Conemaugh's ceremony

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Edward Beck, Christine Bender, Forrest Bloom, Erin Brendle, Max DelSignore, James Edwards, Renee Henderson, Christopher Johnson, Colin Keough, Amanda Knipple, Kevin Malloy, Ronald Rhoades, Brenda Sites and Ruth Walker all greatly improved or even saved the lives of other people by being organ donors within the past year.

They were all recognized for their loving acts Tuesday when their names were added to the Conemaugh Health System Donor Wall at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown.

"Each name represents a life, a legacy and gift that continues," Conemaugh Health System Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Dunmore said.

The annual ceremony, as always, included family members being able to view pictures of their loved ones on the wall, speeches and prayers.

"We are grateful to the families who, as they said goodbye, sought to give hope and a chance of life to others, to make a difference, enabling others to live, dance and celebrate," Sister Carol Ann Ziecina, Conemaugh's manager of volunteer services and spiritual care, offered in prayer.

"May those who receive these gifts of life live lives of gratitude, health and service. May they reflect the love, donation, courage and heroism of those who offer them the gift of life."

Christie Ryan, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education's director of clinical outreach and partnerships, said the gathering provided an opportunity to "rededicate this space and in doing so acknowledge that every donor and donor family are special."

Along with family members, there were organ donors and recipients in attendance at the ceremony.

Jill Dillman-Stull, who worked as a flight nurse at Conemaugh for three decades, needed a cornea transplant after her eye was damaged resulting from an infection.

Getting the donated cornea was "life-changing and sight-saving," she said.

Dillman-Stull regularly attends the annual Donor Wall ceremony.

"I think it's important to support (donors' family members)," she said. "It's a very hard decision to make."

Cyndi Shaulis' husband, David Shaulis, was an organ donor whose liver was transplanted.

"I can tell you that Dave's loss was the most catastrophic thing that we've ever been through as a family, and it's still catastrophic," Shaulis said.

"But we get so much comfort from the fact that it wasn't for nothing and that somebody is alive because Dave died. He was going to die anyway, so being able to give the gift of life means it wasn't for nothing."

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