Candlelight ceremony in Columbus honors organ donors and those awaiting transplants
The decision to be an organ donor has the power to turn a tragic situation into a positive one. The candles that were lit represent the second chance at life offered by organ donation.
According to Lifeline of Ohio, nearly one thousand central Ohioans are waiting for organ transplants. Seventeen times a day, a man, woman, or child dies for lack of an available organ. A pain that Kelli McQuesten and her family know all too well.
'My husband was a fireman, and one morning, just woke up and was having some heart issues, and we learned that he had to have a heart surgery,' said Kelli McQuesten.
When hummingbirds will start to arrive in Ohio
Her husband, Matthew, died in December 2023. She's been the community outreach coordinator at Lifeline of Ohio for 10 years now. Her job is to educate communities about organ donation. Never did she think she'd have a personal story to share.
'I owe it to Matthew to keep talking about his story and to say his name, and I just think about all of the families of the people who are waiting and that I don't want them to go through what me and my kids went through,' said McQuesten.
Lifeline of Ohio says the ripple effect of one person saying 'yes' to donation is powerful. It's a decision that's felt by recipients, family members, and friends.
'I received a liver transplant back in 2020, on March 12th,' said Tyler Parker.
Tyler Parker is 17 years old, and he was born with a rare genetic disorder. Five years ago, his life changed. He received 'the call' that he and his family have been waiting for, allowing him to be a normal teenager and follow his dreams.
'I love Columbus Fire, and I want to be a firefighter/paramedic when I get a little older,' he said.
Jermayne Hassis has been on the National Transplant waiting list for eight years. He currently has a device implanted in his chest to keep his heart beating. While that provides some challenges for him, he remains positive.
'I try to live as more and more of a lifestyle as I possibly can. I was able to get married, have a beautiful daughter, and I'm a schoolteacher, like, you know, all of the things that I love doing,' he said.
Harris says going through this process has taught him a lot.
'There's always light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm just, you know, God has been very big in my journey,' said Harris.
A single donor has the potential to save eight lives through organ donation. To learn more, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Susan G. Komen ® To Host 2025 Northeast Ohio MORE THAN PINK Walk This September
CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Susan G. Komen ®, the world's leading breast cancer organization, will convene breast cancer survivors, those living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and supporters at the 2025 Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio MORE THAN PINK Walk. This impactful event unites our community and raises money for the mission of Komen, supporting those affected by breast cancer. Komen aims to raise over $350,000 at the Northeast Ohio MORE THAN PINK Walk, generating critical funds that allow Komen to continue its investment in lifesaving work across the country, including promising research that will allow people to live longer lives with better outcomes. This event also funds Komen's Patient Care Center, a trusted, go-to source for timely, accurate breast health and breast cancer information, support and resources, as well as the work of Komen's Center for Public Policy to drive state and federal policies that invest in critical programs and ensure streamlined access to affordable, high-quality breast health care. WHEN: Saturday, September 20, 2025 WHERE: Wade Oval - 10820 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106 WHY IT MATTERS: Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the U.S. and 1 in 1,000 men in their lifetime. In 2025 alone, an estimated 316,950 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 42,170 women will die from the disease. Approximately 2,800 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 510 will die from it. However, some experts say one-third of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. could be prevented with universal access to modern treatments. In Ohio, approximately over 77,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 24,000 will die from the disease this year. Susan G. Komen provides direct support to Ohioans through its Patient Care Center. In fiscal year 2025, Komen provided assistance to over 1,300 patients, including over $358,000 in financial assistance to eligible people in active treatment or living with metastatic breast cancer. 'The work Komen does for people with breast cancer, survivors and those with increased risk of breast cancer is not possible without the Northeast Ohio MORE THAN PINK Walk and the critical money we raise from our generous supporters,' said Sean Shacklett, executive director Ohio & Michigan at Susan G. Komen. 'We look forward to bringing together the Northeast Ohio community this fall and uniting around our goal of creating a world where we do not lose another life to this disease.' Bank of America is the national presenting sponsor and Lilly, Natera, and Novartis are national series sponsors for the MORE THAN PINK Walk and Race for the Cure events. About Susan G. Komen ® Susan G. Komen ® is the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow's cures. Visit or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at
Axios
4 days ago
- Axios
Ohio's abortion wait times drop after pause on 24-hour law
Preterm Cleveland, the region's largest abortion provider, says its patients are getting care faster since Ohio's 24-hour waiting period was put on hold last year. Why it matters: The change has been especially significant for out-of-state patients, whose numbers have doubled since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. 80% of those patients were seen in a single day over the past year, avoiding costly extended stays in Ohio, per Preterm. What they're saying: "There are so many financial and logistical barriers for patients seeking an abortion," said Bethany Lewis, executive director of Preterm, in a press release. "But the barriers increase exponentially the further you must travel for your appointment." By the numbers: New data from Preterm shows that 57% of patients in the past year have been able to receive counseling and an abortion on the same day. That's a dramatic shift from before the preliminary injunction, when state data showed most patients waited a week or more between appointments. State of play: Under the now-paused law, patients had to wait at least a day after counseling before receiving an abortion. Flashback: Ohioans voted in 2023 for the constitutional amendment that guarantees a right to an abortion.
Yahoo
14-08-2025
- Yahoo
More bed bugs found at Ohio EPA offices
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — More bed bugs were found at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency offices on Monday morning. An Ohio EPA spokesperson confirmed to NBC4 that dogs canvassed the offices inside the Lazarus Government Center on West Town Street and detected bugs in a third area. Last week, one bug was found in a second area. The first sighting was in July, and the spokesperson said that area has been treated by professional exterminators three times. Office equipment in that area is in the process of being replaced, and those employees have been working from home. Watch a previous video in the player above. 'The health and safety of our Ohio EPA employees is a top priority, and we take this matter seriously,' the spokesperson said in a statement. One employee also reported a single bug at home, and no bugs were detected at that employee's work area. The rest of the building will be inspected by dogs this week, and if more bugs are found, exterminators will be contacted. The Ohio EPA also set up traps to monitor for bugs, and no bugs have been discovered in the traps, which are checked daily, the spokesperson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
