Las Vegas, NV (June 30, 2020) - Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center honored 25 year old organ donor Summer Kearney with an honor walk. An honor walk is a ceremonial event to show respect for a patient prior to organ donation. Tuesday evening just before her surgery, Southern Hills staff lined the halls of the ICU to show respect for Summer before her organs were donated.
The Nevada Donor Network said Summer's heart, kidneys, and liver would be donated saving the lives of three people in California and Utah. Nevada Donor Network says every 10 minutes someone is added to the national transplant list. There are currently 110,000 people in the country waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant including 600 Nevadans. Every day 22 people will die waiting for an organ.
"She has always been a hero," said Nancy Greenwood, Summer's grandmother. "Now, she will be everyone she touches hero and blessing."
As Summer was brought from her ICU room to surgery, Southern Hills doctors and nurses who cared for her said their goodbyes. There was also a moment of silence to honor Summer.
"Summer will be remembered for the life she lived, and for the life she gave" said Kelli Wray, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center. "Summer we honor you, and thank you for the life you're giving to others."
Summer was born with a congenital health condition called chiari malformations. Chiari malformations are structural defects in the base of the skull and cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. Chiari malformations affects the cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord.
Summer turned 25 on May 31st.
To learn more and register as a hero, please visit Nevada Donor Network.