Lower Bucks Hospital Honors Donor Heroes in Emotional Donate Life Flag-Raising Ceremony

Bristol, PA (April 13, 2026) - In a heartfelt ceremony uniting hospital leadership, staff, and community members, Lower Bucks Hospital observed National Donate Life Month today with a moving flag-raising event dedicated to celebrating the profound impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation. A flag emblazoned with the Donate Life emblem was raised, serving as a poignant tribute to the selfless generosity of donors and the renewed lives of their recipients.

The event underscored the critical partnership between Lower Bucks Hospital and the Gift of Life Donor Program, a collaboration lauded for its shared commitment to clinical excellence, strength, and unwavering compassion in serving patients in need of life-saving transplants. Last year, the Gift of Life Donor Program achieved a national record for coordinating the most organ transplants in U.S. history, a testament to the generosity of donor families and the dedication of its hospital partners.

"National Donate Life Month is a powerful reminder of the incredible generosity that exists within our community and the profound difference it makes," stated Michael Motte, CEO of Lower Bucks Hospital. "We are incredibly proud of our nine tissue donors from January to the present. Each tissue donation is a testament to the selflessness of individuals and families, and it empowers us to extend hope and healing in countless ways. This ceremony is our way of saying 'thank you' to these heroes and their families, and to reaffirm our commitment to this life-saving mission."

The hospital proudly acknowledged nine tissue donors from January to the present. These contributions, though often less publicized than organ donation, are deeply meaningful and life-enhancing. As the speaker emphasized, tissue donations - such as skin grafts for post-mastectomy reconstruction or heart valves for children - are frequently life-saving in the eyes of recipients and their families, fundamentally transforming lives.

Michael Mignone, Radiology Director at Lower Bucks Hospital, reflected on the broader impact. "In our roles, we witness the fragility of life daily. The decision to donate is an extraordinary act of kindness that resonates through families and communities. It's a privilege for Lower Bucks Hospital to support the Gift of Life Donor Program and to play a part in fulfilling these heroic wishes."

The ceremony featured the powerful testimony of Gary Steever, a "donor hero dad," who bravely shared his family's journey following the sudden and tragic death of his son, Dave. Dave's life was tragically cut short after a fall, but his legacy lives on through his organ donations.

"When Dave passed, our world was shattered," Gary recounted with emotion. "But the compassion shown by nurse Grace and transplant coordinator Gabe at hospital in the city was truly extraordinary. Their empathy and seamless support guided us through the darkest hours, helping us to accept the reality and make the decision to donate Dave's organs. It was a choice that turned an unimaginable tragedy into a profound legacy."

Within 24 hours of his passing, Dave's donation saved three lives, with his corneas later identified for another recipient, extending his impact even further. Gary reflected on the comforting truth that while donors express their wishes, it is the dedicated medical teams who possess the power to fulfill them.

Gary also shared a touching conversation with his eight-year-old granddaughter, Ava, who, while biking, thoughtfully asked, "Do you think the people Uncle Dave saved are riding their bikes today?" Her comforting words, "Papa, it's okay. Uncle Dave saved people before he went to heaven to be with Uncle Chris," underscored the multi-generational healing made possible by donation. Ava, who wears Dave's hats as a symbol of remembrance, has found a healthy framework for processing loss through this experience.

Leesa Gerdeman, Hospital Services Coordinator with the Gift of Life Donor Program, underscored the crucial role of hospitals like Lower Bucks. "The collaboration with our hospital partners is the cornerstone of our mission. Each donation is a testament to incredible human generosity, and it takes an entire team-from the emergency department to critical care and beyond-to support families through this difficult but ultimately life-affirming decision. Lower Bucks Hospital's dedication to our program is invaluable in turning tragedy into hope for countless individuals."

The impact of donation, Gary emphasized, creates a ripple effect of healing across families and communities. He also addressed the often-overlooked aspect of survivor's guilt among recipients, reassuring them that their lives are equally valuable, and that donors "pass the baton, wanting recipients to live fully."

"The work that hospital staff and the Gift of Life do is far more than clinical," Gary added passionately. "It fosters emotional, familial, and societal healing. Donor and recipient stories fuel each other's recovery, creating a profound, interconnected community. After losing two sons, I can say that my family and I are in a healthier place four years after Dave's death than we were years after losing Christopher. The only difference was the dedication and compassion of the medical teams who made the donation process meaningful and healing for us."

The ceremony concluded with heartfelt gratitude extended to Gary for his courage in sharing his deeply personal story. The Donate Life flag was then formally raised by Mike Napoli, serving as a lasting symbol of remembrance and a powerful call to action in honor of all donor heroes.

If you'd like to register as a donor, please visit https://registerme.org/campaign/LBH.

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About Lower Bucks Hospital: Lower Bucks Hospital is a community hospital, serving the Lower Bucks County region with medical, surgical, and emergency care. Located in historic Bristol, Pennsylvania, the hospital is well-known for its knowledgeable medical staff, including cardiology, orthopedics, radiology, wound care, and general surgery. The hospital has more than 200 physicians on staff, as well as another 700 employees. As part of Prime Healthcare, headquartered in Ontario, California, Lower Bucks Hospital is focused on becoming one of the leaders in technology.

Prime Healthcare operates 51 acute care hospitals in 14 states, including Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol, and Suburban Behavioral Health Campus of Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Montgomery County. For more information, please visit https://lowerbuckshosp.com/contact-us/area-hospitals/

About Prime Healthcare and the Prime Healthcare Foundation: Prime Healthcare is an award-winning health system operating 51 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations in 14 states, providing over 2.5 million patient visits annually. It is one of the nation's leading health systems, with nearly 57,000 employees and physicians. Eighteen of the Prime Healthcare hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. Based in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare is nationally recognized for award-winning quality care and has been named a 10 Top and 15 Top Health System by Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals have been named among the nation's "100 Top Hospitals" 69 times and have received more Patient Safety Excellence Awards from Healthgrades than any other health system in the past eight years. To learn more about Prime Healthcare, visit: www.primehealthcare.com. To learn more about Prime Healthcare Foundation, visit: www.primehealthcarefoundation.org.

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Office: 215.785.9817

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