Placer proclaims April as Donate Life Month for 2nd year

The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation declaring April 2023 as Donate Life Month in the county on March 28. "One organ donor HERO can save the lives of (eight) people through the donation of organs, and improve the lives of up to 75 people with eye and tissue donation," the proclamation reads. The proclamation also recognizes Sierra Donor Services for its efforts in 2022: facilitating 401 organ transplants through 153 organ donors and 881 tissue donors, according to the staff report. This is the second time the county has proclaimed Donate Life Month in April. Valen Keefer, an Auburn resident and patient advocacy consultant for the transplant diagnostics business at Thermo Fisher Scientific, accepted the proclamation. "This continual support in the community is just so meaningful to me so I want to thank you for helping me provide education and give a face to transplantation," Keefer said while sharing the importance of organ donation and her story as a kidney and liver transplant recipient with the board. "I want to demonstrate the joyful and productive and filling life we can live post-transplant, and most importantly show the gratitude that transplant recipients have with the hopes that others will say yes to organ donation." Keefer advised the board she has also created a 12-part docuseries called Letters of Hope on the trials and triumphs of transplantation, which will be aired at the Auburn State Theatre in August. In addition to the proclamation, the colonnade of the Placer County historic courthouse in Auburn will be lit blue and green for the remainder of April. According to donatelife.net, the Donate Life brand and logo were created to "place the cause of organ, eye and tissue donation in the context of life and living, a selfless gift, showing compassion for humanity. Blue, green and the swirl represent the sky, earth and circle of life." Additionally, the board approved a second proclamation which also proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. "Child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure every family has the support it needs and deserves to raise their children in a healthy environment," the proclamation reads. In recognition of the proclamation, the board joined staff of partner organizations, including Placer County MDIC (Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center) and Children's Advocacy Center, KidsFirst and Cal Voices, to plant a blue pinwheel garden at the courthouse. According to the county's Child Abuse Prevention Month website, a resource fair will be held from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Maidu Center, 1550 Maidu Drive in Roseville, and will include resources, free dental screenings and child fingerprint kits and a seminar about internet and digital safety.