Kentucky Donor Memorial Dedicated on Capitol Grounds                                         
April 9, 2009

More than 70 people, including many Kentucky Circuit Clerks, deputies, government dignitaries, transplant recipients and donor famlies, turned out on April 9th to hear Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo dedicate the Kentucky Donor Memorial on the Capitol grounds in Frankfort.

The eight-foot granite monument was sponsored by the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks' Trust For Life and the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA).  The memorial, which honors the many organ, tissue and eye donors in the past and future, is the first major monument on Capitol grounds.

Lieutenant Governor Mongiardo read a proclamation, signed by the Governor, naming April as Kentucky's Donate Life Month.  He also reflected upon how far reaching the act of donation can be, as he recounted how his cousin in Italy received a new heart, a story that was recounted in the book and TV movie "The Nicholas Effect".

Trust For Life President and Floyd Circuit Court Clerk Doug Hall, KODA President Dr. Bruce Lucas, and donor family member/living kidney donor Sandy Hickey also spoke.

Donor families and friends, as well as visitors to the state capital, can visit the memorial at any time and be reminded of the precious gift of life and the ability to help others through donation.  The memorial is located at the northwest corner of the capitol in an area designated as "Monument Park".