'Second chance at life': Banner raised for organ donation at Conemaugh Memorial

Apr. 2—A flag-raising ceremony Monday to kick off National Donate Life Month at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center featured some stories of local organ recipients.

Maria Sabrina Mezyk, a registered nurse in the hospital's operating room, shared her story of receiving tissue donations during breast construction as part of her battle with breast cancer.

Mezyk already understood the importance of donations because her grandmother received a heart transplant nearly 17 years ago.

"I was probably 16 or 17 years old," Mezyk said. "I remember our family was so scared. We thought we were going to lose her."

Her grandmother had received a pacemaker and other heart treatment at Conemaugh Memorial while also fighting infections and other medical conditions. As her heart became weaker, she was placed on the transplant list, and it wasn't long before she was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York for a new heart.

"Even now, she is doing amazingly well," Mezyk said, adding that her grandmother travels between relatives in her native Ecuador, her home in New York and Johnstown. "She really is the matriarch not just for our family, but for all these families."

Their family cherishes organ donors' selflessness, which has allowed them to have so many good years together.

"We are pleased to say, as a family, we had our second chance at life," she said.

Conemaugh Memorial Chief Nursing Officer Kris O'Shea followed up on the theme of second chances in her remarks Monday.

"Our work at Conemaugh offers a second chance at life to those waiting for a life-saving or life-restoring transplant," O'Shea said. "Donate Life Month is a perfect time to reflect on the difference that Conemaugh makes — not just as an organization, but that each of us makes as individuals — in the donation process."

The flag-raising was held in partnership with the Center for Organ Recovery & Education to raise awareness about organ, tissue and cornea donation and to inspire all to register to be organ donors.

Bambi Gailey, office coordinator for Conemaugh Memorial's emergency department, and her son Wesson, a three-time cornea transplant recipient, unveiled a Donate Life flag in the hospital's atrium.

First diagnosed at age 1, Wesson Gailey has a rare eye condition known as X-linked endothelial corneal dystrophy. He is now 12 and due to receive his fourth transplant this summer.

The family lives in Martindale, Portage Township, where Wesson is a wrestler and soccer player in local leagues. His mother said he's hoping his vision can improve enough for him to get his driver's license when he's 16.

His doctor, cornea specialist Dr. Ken Nischal, of UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, "says if everything keeps improving, that could happen," Bambi Gailey said.

Wesson Gailey recognizes how precious the gifts he received are.

"I feel I appreciate those donors," he said. "I honor them putting others before themselves. They gave back of themselves into me so I could have a better life."

Flag ceremonies at Conemaugh Health System's other hospitals was held Tuesday at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center in Roaring Spring, and will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center and 4 p.m. Thursday at Conemaugh Miners Medical Center.

With more than 100,000 people awaiting transplants, organ donors can save the lives of eight people and help nearly 75 others. Those interested in registering to become an organ donor can do so at RegisterMe.org/campaign/Conemaugh.

Randy Griffith is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5057. Follow him on Twitter @PhotoGriffer57.