We Are Sharing Hope SC (SHSC), the state’s federally designated donation recovery program welcomed more than 250 donor family members from across the state on Saturday for its Annual Holiday Reflection Ceremony. The event allowed families who have lost loved ones that said yes to the gift of life to gather in remembrance and honor their legacies and their lifesaving generosity.
One of this year’s speakers, donor wife Alicia Delamere, shared the inspiring story of her husband, Michael, who became an organ donor on Mother’s Day in 2007. Michael’s gifts saved five lives and helped many others through tissue and cornea donation. Earlier this year, Alicia contacted SHSC hoping to learn more about her husband’s recipients for their son, Ian, who was only three when Michael died. With support from SHSC, Alicia connected directly with Michael’s heart recipient, Wally.
“Knowing the people we lost are now making a difference in other people’s lives through organ donation, and that something greater came from our loss, gives us peace of mind and hope,” said Alicia Delamere, donor wife.
Families spent the afternoon participating in remembrance traditions, including placing personalized ornaments on holiday trees and displaying photographs of their loved ones on memory trees. The ceremony concluded with a candle lighting outside by the reflection pond and Donor Memorial Wall, a permanent installation at the organization's headquarters honoring those that have so selflessly given.
Saturday was a firsthand reminder for team members at We Are Sharing Hope SC of why the work they do is so important and the impact it has on so many lives. “This ceremony is one of the most meaningful moments of our year and truly reflects the heart of who we are,” said Kim Zaruca, Chief Donation Officer at We Are Sharing Hope SC. “It is a sacred time to honor our donor heroes and the families who carry their legacies forward. We are deeply grateful to walk alongside these families and to serve them with compassion and care.”
SHSC’s Donor Family Services Aftercare team hosts this annual ceremony as part of the organization’s ongoing support and commitment to donor families long after donation has taken place. The Aftercare program provides grief resources, opportunities to connect with other families, remembrance opportunities and ongoing support to ensure that every donor hero’s legacy is honored and every family feels cared for throughout their healing journey and beyond. To learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation or to register as a donor, visit SharingHopeSC.org.