The Rev. Dr. Lenny Wisehart, a heart valve transplant recipient, is shown with his wife, the Rev. Joy Wisehart, as he addresses the congregation during an annual National Donate Life Month remembrance celebration in the Corpus Christi Chapel at Franciscan Health Crown Point April 17. The Valparaiso man expressed gratitude to his donor, for giving him a new lease on life 10 years ago, as did Kathy Sojka, also of Valparaiso, who received a cornea transplant 12.5 years ago from another donor.
The service, officiated by the Rev. Tony Janik, director of the hospital’s Spiritual Services department, remembered organ, eye, tissue and umbilical cord blood donors and recipients. Terri Tibbot, executive director of the Life Line Stem Cell Organization, likewise congratulated the hospital for being the area’s first to offer the cord blood program. Barbara Anderson, hospital president and CEO, issued a proclamation designating the hospital’s observance of the celebration.
