Raising the Flag for Donate Life

USC Arcadia Hospital acknowledges importance of transplants to save lives

As of March 2026, more than 108,000 men, women and children are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

On average every 10 minutes another person is added to the transplant waiting list.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation, and enhance the lives of over 75 people through tissue donation.

These are just a few of the facts shared during the flag raising for Donate Life, held on April 28, at USC Arcadia Hospital (USC-AH) to raise awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation.

Dozens of hospital employees gathered to hear representatives from the hospital and OneLegacy, Southern California’s transplant recovery organization, talk about the pressing need for donors and the life-giving impact of transplants.

 Dr. Vasquez-Montez, associate chief medical officer of USC-AH, kicked off the ceremony. She shared how the hospital’s mission and goals are aligned with OneLegacy’s efforts to save and heal lives.

Hospital President and CEO Ike Mmeje also spoke, stressing the importance of this annual event.

“Since 2009, Donate Life Flags Across America has rallied hospitals, transplant centers and community organizations to honor and celebrate the hundreds of thousands of donors and recipients whose lives have been positively affected through transplants,” he said. “We are proud to be a part of this national time of reflection and appreciation.”

OneLegacy president Dr. Prasad Garimella spoke, thanking the hospital for its transplant efforts and urging the crowd to join the  over 19.5 million Californians who have designated themselves as organ and tissue donors.

USC-AH,part of Keck Medicine of USC, is a 348-licensed-bed community hospital that has been serving the healthcare needs of patients in the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding communities, for more than a century. The hospital’s services include a 24-hour emergency room; OB/GYN and maternity services; complex neurological care and surgery; certified stroke center; STEMI (heart attack) receiving center; pediatric emergency care; cardiac care; cancer care; orthopedic care; surgical services; and imaging and diagnostic services.

Topics