by Vickie Jenkins – Writer/Photographer
The LifeShare Mission: Giving life and hope back with care and compassion through excellence in organ and tissue donation.
Have you ever saved a life? Did you know that 487 lives were saved in 2018 by LifeShare donors in Oklahoma? That is what LifeShare is all about; their commitment to saving lives through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donations. In 2018, more than 1,000 people have become heroes by giving the gift of life and healing through donation.
LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma is dedicated to recovering organs and tissues for individuals needing transplants. LifeShare and its hospital partners, serves men, women and children in 77 counties and more than 100 hospitals in Oklahoma.
Meet Janice Hudgins, BSN, RN, Organ Recovery Coordinator. Janice is just one of the many excellent nurses at LifeShare. Janice grew up in Yukon, OK and attended nursing school at UCO in Edmond, OK.
Asking Janice what her favorite part of working at LifeShare is, she replied, “My favorite part is saving lives. Our jobs here are complex. One thing that drew me to LifeShare is that I know that God allowed me to be here to use my skills. It was definitely a God thing! I am thankful every day and I have a true passion for the reason I am here; saving lives. We focus on the way people’s lives and relationships change and those are our strategic anchors. We are highly involved with the donor’s families. This is such a pivotal time for all involved. Being a critical care nurse in the past, I can relate to the way the families are feeling. There is something special about working here; not only does it give the nurses a sense of caring but it also gives that family hope. We have to make it a team effort to take care of the families. When the family member is gone, we hope to save lives, giving their family a glimmer of hope of that family member becoming a legacy,” Janice commented.
What qualities do you think a nurse at LifeShare should have? “I think a nurse should have a strong drive and passion for saving lives. They need a lot of compassion for the loss of a loved one along with and sympathy and empathy. It is important to have the empathetic standpoint to truly honor that patient’s life and to help their family,” Janice replied.
“LifeShare is 24-7. We are always available. There is so much involved in each case. From the patients meeting certain criteria for referrals, numerous phone calls, going on site to check the patient, evaluating, acting as an ICU nurse, working with the hospital staff, ordering meds, labs and diagnostics, recovery teams, organ placements, transportation to and from the airport, checking equipment, assisting doctors during surgery, scheduling times and recovery teams. Each person is specifically skilled in their given area. We travel throughout Oklahoma plus we have another office in Tulsa, OK,” Janice replied. “As a nurse at LifeShare, yes, I stay busy and I love my job,” she added.
The person that influenced Janice to become a nurse was her mother. “My mother has always been my biggest supporter and encourager. Even though I was strong in nursing school, she was always there to motivate me to go a little farther. She still gives me that extra push I need sometimes,” Janice said, with a smile.
Janice’s hobbies include baking, reading, working out and running. “My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family,” Janice said. Any words of wisdom? I ask Janice. “It would be some words that my grandmother always told me: In the end, everything will be okay. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end so keep going,” she added.
When I asked Janice to describe herself, she said, “I am hard working individual and I love my job here. Where do I see myself in five years? Here at LifeShare, continuing my mission. To sum up my life in one word: GRACE. ”God has shown me a lot of grace.”
There are three ways to sign up to be a donor.
* On your license or state ID card-You will have an opportunity to say yes to organ, eye and tissue donation.
* Online- Go online and register in just minutes at www.LifeShareRegistry.org
* On the phone-Call 800-826-LIFE and request a donor registration to be sent to you.
Organ donors are LIFE donors.
For questions about LifeShare and information about organ and tissue donation, contact 888-580-5680 or visit www.LifeShareOK.org
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OKC, Oklahoma
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Ardmore, Oklahoma
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Café Monte Vista,
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Ada, OK 74820
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