For Immediate Release: April 29, 2024 
Contact: Sr. VP for Education Lisa Veglahn, lveglahn@hospicefoundation.org 
 

New Educational Program Addresses Opportunity of Tissue Donation and Hospice
Raising Awareness During National Donate Life Month

  
Washington, DC – Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) will present an educational program focusing on “Exploring the Opportunity of Tissue Donation for Hospice Patients” on Tuesday, April 30 from noon—1:30pm ET. This program is presented by Dignity Memorial.
 
Tissue transplants can restore a meaningful quality of life and even be life-saving for many people. These transplants are only possible because of the generosity of donors and their families who make the decision to donate tissues such as corneas, skin, bone, heart valves and vessels. While organ donation is not possible for hospice patients, the opportunity to donate tissue following death may provide meaning-making opportunities and comfort for hospice patients and families through their legacy of donation. This webinar will review donation eligibility, recipient outcomes, and clinical applications of donated tissue, the referral process, and the aftercare support provided to donor families. 
 
The program will be led by expert panelists Lara Moretti, LSW, FT, and Jennifer McKenna, BS, CTBS. Ms. Moretti is the Director, Family Support Services for the Gift of Life Donor Program in Philadelphia, PA. She has presented to hospitals, hospices, schools, and professional groups about grief, donation, and transplantation. Ms. McKenna has been with the Gift of Life Donor Program since 2012 and is currently a Clinical Night Supervisor. She works with donor families and oversees clinical activity for both organ and tissue donation, from referral to recovery. The program will be introduced by Anna King of Dignity Memorial, who is a heart transplant recipient and an advocate for donation.
 
The program will be offered free for HFA members and offered at a low cost to other participants to serve as a resource as part of National Donate Life Month.


Hospice Foundation of America educates the public and health care professionals about death, dying and grief. HFA brings together the nation’s leading experts to contribute to the content of HFA's books, web-based tutorials and programs, and videos. Hospice Foundation of America also funds research about hospice care, supports specific hospice and/or grief initiatives (such as children’s grief camps), and financially assists hospice providers in times of disaster. Dignity Memorial is the presenting partner for HFA’s 2023-24 Professional Education Series.
 
More information about the April 30 program can be found here