DAYTONA BEACH, FL – (December 3, 2008) – Halifax Health was one of two hospitals in Central Florida to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its lifesaving efforts in achieving and maintaining at least a 75 percent donation rate.

Halifax Health representatives recently received the Medal of Honor for Organ Donation during the Fourth Annual National Learning Congress on Organ Donation and Transplantation in Nashville, Tenn.

“This is truly a collaborative effort that takes so many people in different areas at Halifax to make it work,” said Lori Myers, Halifax Health Medical Center’s Chief Nursing Officer. “Because of this effort we exceeded our organ donation goal and it is truly a great honor to be recognized with this award.”

At Halifax Health, a remarkable 39 lives were saved last year as a result of an 84 percent donation rate.

Since 2003, donation rates have steadily increased throughout the country following the launch of the HHS Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative. The initiative unites the top performing donation programs, hospitals and transplant centers to identify and share best practices that are helping to save a far greater number of lives. Within the initiative’s first year the number of organ donations in the U.S. rose a dramatic 11 percent.

Last year, more than 28,000 lives were saved due to the generosity of organ donors. Today, nearly 100,000 children and adults await organ transplantation. To learn more about transplantation, contact the Halifax Health – Center for Transplant Services at 877.8.HALIFAX. To designate your wishes as an organ and tissue donor, contact TransLife at 800.44DONOR or visit www.translife.org.