Wall of Heroes Dedicated to Organ Donors at Forrest General Hospital
Forrest General Hospital, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, Mississippi Lions Eye Bank Partner to Create Special Tribute
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (June 26, 2024) In January, Madeline Rae Short of Petal was a student at the University of Southern Mississippi where she was studying Biology Pre-Med in the hopes of becoming a hematologist. The 19-year-old also was a student worker at the Moffitt Health Center on campus. Diagnosed with ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), a rare autoimmune disorder, at the age of 9, Madeline’s main goal in life was to work in the medical field, so she could help others and their families.
Unfortunately, on March 5, that dream ended when Madeline passed away from complications of ITP. Two months prior, she had signed up to become an organ donor. “Madeline’s ITP battle was a road she had traveled a hundred times before, and with God, she traveled that road with so much strength and grace,” said her mother, Miranda, in a Facebook post in early April. “Never did we imagine that her life here was nearing an end. But God, He placed on her heart to be a donor, and she responded. She helped countless others and in doing so her life goal has now been completed. Being a donor helped Madeline fulfill her destiny.”
Madeline, along with other organ donors across the Pine Belt, were honored and remembered during a Wall of Heroes dedication at Forrest General Hospital on Wednesday, June 26. This dedication, a collaborative effort of Forrest General Hospital, the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA), and the Mississippi Lion’s Eye Bank honors patients who have given the gift of life through organ, tissue and eye donations. Each gift provides renewed hope and life to transplant recipients, their families, and their communities.
The Wall of Heroes, which is located in the hospital’s central hallway off the lobby and next to the main elevators, features a video monitor displaying photos and a legacy statement about each donor submitted by their loved ones as a testament to their generous gifts. Currently, 41 donors are recognized on the wall with more to be added as new donor families wish to participate.
The Wall of Heroes features beautiful artwork created by Forrest General surgical nurse, Jessica Byrd, RN, who has created other artwork for Forrest General and the Forrest General Cancer Center. The artwork features a large magnolia tree with falling leaves and the words:
The falling leaves represent the selfless gift of life from our donors.
The blooms symbolize the promise of a future for our recipients.
We honor our donors for their selfless last gift – the gift of life.
“The artwork was the vision and work of Jessica,” said Joel Stevens, MORA Hospital Development coordinator. “We wanted the artistry done by someone within the hospital, and not something that was just standard, but something special to honor these loved ones.”
For Karen Mims of Dixie, who was in attendance with her two grandsons, the sudden and unexpected death of her husband, Tommy, 11 years ago left her with a decision to make about organ donation. Because of her decision to donate her husband’s organs, tissue, and eyes, she has received letters from all over from some of the recipients of those gifts. “We didn’t know what all was donated,” she said. “We received a letter that Tommy’s corneas went to someone in Mississippi, and I received a letter from a preacher/missionary who said the donation he received helped him to further his work for the Lord. A young girl was the recipient of a tissue donation.” Her husband, an electrician, was an employee of the Forrest County School District and loved to farm – cows, hay, and everything. Mims is now an organ donor herself.
Members of Kyla O’Neal Watkins’ family were happy to be there to honor their loved one. Louise Watkins of Moss Point, Kyla’s grandmother, and Margaret Myles, Kyla’s niece, described their loved one as awesome. “She was a lot like me and should have had my middle name,” Louise said. “We just loved her. She made me so proud.” Kyla, who passed away at a young age in a car accident had already chosen to be an organ donor. “So, now I have my mind on doing what she did,” said Louise. “She encouraged me. Being here to honor and remember her is exciting, but yet it brings the memories back. She still lives on even though she is gone.” Her aunt’s memories included the fact that her niece was “so sweet and loved to bake, especially pies and cakes.” Kyla’s mom and other family members were also in attendance.
“For a family that loses a loved one, it is vitally important to feel and know that your loved one will never be forgotten,” said Vicki Shoemake, donor mother of her hero, Holland Shoemake, and also a Family Care specialist for MORA. “The Wall of Heroes not only remembers, but pays special tribute, in honoring my daughter for the extraordinary gift of hope and life she has given to others through organ, tissue and eye donation. Not only do we get to see the faces of Heroes but their families share a glimpse into each of their loved one's inspirational lives. As a donor mother, this special tribute means the world to me! It shows the community they can be a hero, too!" For more information about organ donation, visit www.forresthealth.org/MORA.
ABOUT FORREST HEALTH
Forrest Health is a system of healthcare organizations formed to increase access to quality health care in south Mississippi. Forrest General Hospital is its flagship hospital. In addition to Forrest General, Forrest Health hospitals include: Highland Community Hospital, Picayune; Jefferson Davis Community Hospital & Extended Care Facility, Prentiss; Marion General Hospital, Columbia; Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home, Poplarville; Perry County General Hospital, Richton; and Walthall General Hospital, Tylertown. Forrest Health is also home to The Orthopedic Institute and Institute of Neuroscience, both in Hattiesburg, as well as a variety of healthcare clinics throughout its 19-county coverage area.
