JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than 100,000 people across the country are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and the list keeps growing. Every 8 minutes, a new name is added to the national transplant waiting list, according to the U.S. government.
To raise awareness about the growing need for donors, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital hosted a special tribute — honoring transplant recipients, organ donors, and the families who have turned loss into hope.
The issue hits close to home for many families in Jacksonville.
Robin Williams is one of the recipients who shared her story. She received a cornea transplant from 20-year-old Morgan Wilcox. Williams says that donation gave her the gift of sight — and a second chance at life.
“I am forever grateful for the young lady who did that, my precious Morgan,” Williams said. “She checked the box when she was 16… and told her family if she ever passed away, she wanted to help everyone she could.”
Melissa Blackman also spoke during the ceremony. Her daughter, Aly, chose to become an organ donor at just 17 years old. She died a decade later, but her decision saved lives.
“I realized — wow — that was a big decision for a 17-year-old,” Blackman said. “It makes me very proud.”
Dozens of families took part in the ceremony, sharing personal stories in hopes of inspiring others to register as organ donors.
According to the federal government, 17 people die every day waiting for a transplant.
In 2023, nearly 43,000 patients in the U.S. received life-saving organ transplants, including more than 3,000 in Florida.
For more information on how to become an organ donor, visit organdonor.gov.
