CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE ORGAN DONOR CENTER OF HAWAI`I

December 1 - Governor Lingle honored the Organ Donor Center of Hawai`i's (ODCH) 20 years of sharing the gift of life with Hawai`i residents.

"The Organ Donor Center of Hawai`i is the kind of institution you want to have before you need it," said Governor Lingle.  "I appreciate the decades of work as well as the incredible impact you have on the lives of so many people."

There are 377 people in Hawai`i currently waiting for an organ. The Governor, a registered organ donor, encouraged residents to consider joining the registry; a decision that could one day save the life of another.

Governor Lingle also recognized the lifetime achievements of Dr. Livingston Wong, who performed the state's first kidney transplants almost 40 years ago, founded the Emergency Medical System in the early 1970s and was instrumental in the establishment of ODCH 20 years ago.

"Dr. Wong's work and life are an inspiration and model to us all," said Governor Lingle.