Spohn Hospital receives new kind of benchmark

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A group of middle school students donated a special bench to CHRISTUS Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi. The white wooden bench with thoughtful messages written in an array of colorful ink is meant to call attention to organ donations.

On Wednesday, June 6, outside the entrance of CHRISTUS Spohn Memorial Hospital, five Baker Middle School students and one student from Annapolis Christian Academy presented the “Donor Dash” Bench to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Associates, doctors and nurses during a special ceremony.

The students were able to make this contribution because of their now annual effort to bring awareness to organ donations through their Organ Donor Dash. In its second year, the 5K-run, 2K-walk was started after a classmate, 12-year-old Katherine “Katie” Belen Marsh passed away. Katherine was an organ donor and her passing gave the gift of life to five other people.

The Second Annual Organ Donor Dash was held earlier this year and raised $9,000 for organ donation awareness.

“The death of Katie and her parents’ decision to donate her organs influenced the kids and opened their eyes to the need to talk about organ donation,” Baker Middle School parent Samantha Weddle said.

The students made the bench in the hope that people will take note of the need for organ donations.