ORANGE PARK – Hospital staff and families cherished the sacrifice and selflessness of organ donors last week at the Donate Life event, which also served an informational purpose.

In the HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital chapel, Amy and Eric Roush reflected on their son, Samuel, who died last year from a lack of oxygen to his brain during routine surgery. Five of his organs later went to five other people in need.

The 18-year-old, who was autistic, enjoyed Christmas, spending time with his family and watching game shows. When he watched game shows, he would state, “I’m your host Sammy Roush!”

Amy Roush said it’s important to recognize organ donors who passed and their legacy. A donor’s gift helps other people, she said.

“Even in a moment of tragedy, something positive can come from that,” she said.

Events like Donate Life raise awareness and start a conversation about organ donation, Amy Roush added. When the family was presented with the option of organ donation, she said, the thought of sparing another family grief weighed heavily on her mind.

“We were in such sadness and emotional turmoil. We knew it was the right thing to do, if we could alleviate that for other people, that’s what we would want to do,” Amy Roush said.

Eric Roush said it’s vital for a family to understand a person’s wishes. The organ donation process struck him emotionally, he said, and maybe Samuel’s purpose was to help other people and save lives.

“(Samuel Roush) was given the opportunity to do more than I could ever do in my life,” Eric Roush said. “He can benefit multiple people by giving his organs. To me, it was a no-brainer.”

“It was just this profound thing,” Amy Roush added.

However, Eric Roush said there are stigmas about organ donation. Hospital Director of Trauma Services Cecilia Romero said the stigmas are present yet changing. She said Donate Life sought to inform attendees about the convenience of the organ donation process.

Organ donation stigmas may involve generational clashes and difficult talks, Romero said.

“A lot of people don’t know, therefore they won’t address it,” Romero said.

Kathleen Giery, director of donor program development for LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services, relayed the donation process. An eye bank and a tissue bank were also represented at the event.

An evaluation is conducted of the candidate, they’re reviewed in the donation registry and their family is spoken to. Then a team coordinates a potential transplant. It doesn’t end there, Giery said.

“We stay in touch with families afterward and have a very robust aftercare program and bereavement resources, and we encourage donor and recipient families to write to each other,” Giery said.

In the chapel, Amy and Eric Roush said organ donation is usually on the periphery of people’s minds. Donate Life and events like it can cast a wider net and help people save more lives through organ donation, she said.

“I think it’s great to not only honor the individuals whose passing has given the gift of life to others … but to bring awareness about that to the community,” Amy Roush said.