Families affected by organ transplants raised the Donate Life flag Monday, April 2, at D.L. Ligon Coliseum to mark the beginning of National Donate Life Month. Representatives of the Southwest Transplant Alliance and MSU's Wilson School of Nursing were also on hand.

Approximately five years ago, MSU became involved with the flag ceremony through the annual Community Health Fair organized by students in the Robert D. and Carol Gunn School of Health Sciences and Human Services. At the fair, which was held in March, attendees can register to be tissue and organ donors.

Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden, Chair of the College of Science and Mathematics, attended the event. After her brother Kevin's death in 2015, his liver, kidneys, and corneas were donated, saving the lives of three people and restoring sight to two others. Kevin was honored by United Regional Hospital last year as one of its Heroes for Life.

Donate Life America and its partner organizations such as the Southwest Transplant Alliance host a series of local, regional, and national activities for the entire month of April to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.

Visit www.donatelifetexas.org for more information on organ donation.