HCA Memorial honors families of organ donors, liver transplant recipient at special ceremony

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – HCA Florida Memorial Hospital honored two families of organ donors and a liver recipient during a special ceremony to mark National Donate Life Month on Friday morning.

The ceremony served as an opportunity to celebrate organ donation and highlight the importance of being an organ donor.

“We do this for our patients so that there’s hope. Organ donation is so important. And as a hospital, unfortunately, we see life loss, but those who donate organs are able to save someone else’s life,” CEO of HCA Florida Memorial Hospital Reed Hammond said.

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According to HCA Memorial, the hospital had 24 organ donors in 2023, with 93 organs transplanted. Over the last 10 years, the hospital has helped provide 314 transplanted organs locally.

After fighting for his life for two years and going through multiple failed attempts to receive a transplant, Gerry Polcari got the call he was waiting for and finally received a liver transplant in February 2022.

“I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to resume my life and claim it back. I actually got to work which I never thought I’d be able to do again. I feel great. And I’m forever grateful to the family that made that difficult decision and I don’t want to call my angel who saved my life. Let me resume my life’s journey,” Polcari said.

Suzanne and Bill Funke said this ceremony honored one year since their son Creighton gave his organs to save four lives.

“It just means everything to be here close to the anniversary of the Honor Walk where we were able to make that happen,” Suzanne said.

The Funkes hope their experience can encourage others to become organ donors — as it can save more lives.

“Go to the DMV, understand what you do. That’s what we did with our son when he was 16, and didn’t know, when they asked the question ‘You want to be an organ donor? Was that what was that all about?’ And said, ‘Well, we’re organ donors and we have never been in that position, but if you are, you’re going to be helping others,’ and here we are,” Suzanne said.

For more information about organ and tissue donation or to register your wishes to become a lifesaving donor, visit DonateLifeFlorida.org.