Oswego Health Honors Six Local Donors in Moving Donate Life Flag Raising Ceremony
Contact: Jamie Leszczynski
Oswego Health proudly hosted a deeply moving Donate Life Flag Raising Ceremony on April 23rd, bringing together nearly 70 family and community members to honor the lives and legacies of six local organ, eye, and tissue donors.
Held outside Oswego Hospital, the ceremony paid tribute to Deputy Cailee Campbell, Fred Greco, Jody LeBlanc, Michael Nettles, Betty Rowlee, and Burt Trumble—individuals whose final acts of generosity gave hope, healing, and new beginnings to others. Their stories were remembered through heartfelt remarks, a memorial display, and the symbolic raising of the Donate Life flag.
“Today is about more than remembrance—it’s about gratitude, legacy, and the extraordinary power of compassion,” said Jamie Leszczynski, SVP of Communications at Oswego Health. “These six remarkable individuals are true heroes. And behind each is a family that chose love in the most difficult times.”
Oswego Health leaders were joined by representatives from the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, including Matt Graney, and Amber Shumway, RN, BSN, whose passion and dedication to honoring donors were vital to organizing the event.
“We encourage all members of our community to consider registering to be an organ, tissue, and eye donor, as more than 100,000 people across the country woke up this morning wondering if today was the day they would get their second chance at life,” said Matt Graney. “8,000 of those patients are on a waitlist in New York State, and over 800 are listed in this region through the two transplant centers—Strong Hospital and SUNY Upstate University Hospital. Additionally, over 2 million tissue transplants and 60,000 corneal transplants occur annually nationwide, underscoring the significant need for tissue and cornea donation.”
This year’s Donate Life Month theme, “Let Life Sing,” draws inspiration from the symbolism of birds across cultures—as harbingers of spring, renewal, and hope. That theme resonated deeply as voices rose in remembrance, and stories of generosity echoed in the air.
“When choosing this year’s community members to honor, I wanted to highlight the significant impact that eye and tissue donation can make in our region,” shared Amber Shumway, RN, BSN. “With these final acts of generosity, these six donors restored or preserved sight in eight people, and through tissue donations, helped to repair, rebuild, restore, and save the lives of 450 others. Not only did they do all of this, but their donations for research will continue to make a difference, helping develop new treatments and cures for blindness and a wide range of diseases and injuries.”
As the Donate Life flag flies high outside Oswego Hospital, it stands as a lasting tribute to the lives remembered and the countless lives they’ve touched through the gift of life.
Oswego Health remains committed to supporting donor families and raising awareness about the life-saving impact of donation.
Register today to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor by visiting www.donatelife.net — because one “yes” can change everything.