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Donor families and Lifeline of Ohio share stories as Franklin County marks Donate Life Month
Summary
At its April 1 meeting the Franklin County Board of Commissioners marked Donate Life Month; Lifeline of Ohio described donation needs and a mother recounted donating her daughter Arianna's organs, which saved a 2-month-old in New York.
Franklin County commissioners observed April as National Donate Life Month and invited Lifeline of Ohio to brief the board on organ, eye and tissue donation.
Brian Leonard, community outreach coordinator with Lifeline of Ohio, said the organization promotes donor registration, education and coordinates donation at time of death. "We promote, we educate on organ, eye, and tissue donation," Leonard said, noting in the United States "over 144,000 people" wait for organ transplants and that registrants help reduce daily losses.
Family testimony followed. Rachel Beltrain described losing her daughter Arianna in 2012 and the role Lifeline played in supporting the family and coordinating donation. Beltrain said Ariana's heart went to a two-month-old in New York who was able to go home two weeks after the transplant; she described ongoing outreach and bereavement events offered by Lifeline, such as candlelight ceremonies for families.
Multiple commissioners thanked the speakers and shared personal connections: one commissioner said they are a living kidney donor and another said they received a tissue donation 25 years ago. Commissioners encouraged residents to register as donors and praised Lifeline's volunteer and family-support efforts.
The presentation was informational; no formal county action regarding donation policy was proposed during the meeting.
