Please fill out the form to register as an organ and tissue donor. By registering as a donor you consent to donate your organs and tissues at the time of your death. Organs and tissues will be recovered for the purpose of transplantation, however, in the event a donated organ or tissue cannot be used for transplant, an effort will be made to use the donation for research.
August 8, 2024
The Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA) proudly recognized Dr. Lucas McElwain, a palliative care physician at North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC) in Tupelo, with a Spero Award during a recent donor remembrance event. The ceremony, which took place at NMMC, gathered donor families and supporters of organ and tissue donation to honor local donor heroes through a special star-naming event.
Dr. McElwain received the Physician Champion award, commended for his dedication to helping families navigate the end-of-life process and supporting organ and tissue donation. His compassionate approach and unwavering support of MORA’s lifesaving mission are key reasons for this recognition. Dr. McElwain consistently goes above and beyond to meet the needs of families and MORA staff, demonstrating a deep commitment to the hope that organ, eye, and tissue donation can offer.
“In meeting with potential donor patients and their families in the ICU, I’ve seen that each situation is totally different…but all of them are defining moments for those involved. They are showing each other, the medical staff, and their community what is most important and what that person’s legacy will be,” said McElwain of the decision to donate.
MORA has been hosting the Spero Awards for a decade, annually acknowledging the contributions of community and hospital partners who make organ, eye, and tissue donation possible. The Awards, now presented quarterly, derive their name from the Latin word “Spero,” meaning “HOPE.” This hope is at the core of organ and tissue donation, benefiting both transplant recipients and donor families. The collective efforts of hospital partners, healthcare professionals, donor families, volunteers, supporters, and corporate partners are essential in advancing our lifesaving and healing work.
