A National Donor Memorial to honor U.S. organ and tissue donors and their families will be created as part of the new headquarters currently under construction for the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in Richmond, VA.

Charles F. McAfee, a living donor and UNOS Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs, said the highlight of the memorial will be an Internet-based repository of tributes to organ donors with visuals and text supplied by their families or transplant recipients.

At the memorial site, an outdoor pathway will draw visitors into the UNOS lobby and to a freestanding computer kiosk and corresponding video wall monitor where tributes will be projected on a large scale. These tributes will thank, honor and celebrate organ donors.

"We have worked hard to ensure a unique and sensitive experience for every visitor," he said. "We are also committed to making the memorial accessible to everyone on the Internet."

Secretary of Health and Human Services has agreed to preside at dedication of the memorial during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week in April 2003.

Other sources: UNOS