Lopa Foundation

THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO ENHANCE LOUISIANA ORGAN PROCUREMENT(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) AGENCY'S CAPACITY IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND FAMILY SERVICES.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT - THERE ARE OVER 2,000 PEOPLE IN LOUISIANA WAITING FOR A LIFESAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANT. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS ARE AIMED AT DISPELLING MISTRUTHS SURROUNDING DONATION THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE DECISION TO JOIN THE REGISTRY.ALL PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:- AGE-APPROPRIATE LESSON PLANS- PARTICIPATION IN SUDDEN IMPACT AND DRIVERS EDUCATION CLASSES- PRESENTATIONS, HEALTH FAIRS AND DONOR DRIVES WITH CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, CORPORATIONS AND CHURCHES

DONOR FAMILY SUPPORT - LOPA'S PROGRAMS HONOR THE FAMILIES WHO'VE TURNED THEIR LOSS INTO AN EVERLASTING GIFT. THEY PROVIDE GRIEF RESOURCES AND SUPPORT, NOT ONLY AT THE TIME OF DONATION, BUT THROUGHOUT ALL THE YEARS THAT FOLLOW. SPECIAL REMEMBRANCES AND COMMEMORATIONS CELEBRATE THE HEROES WHOSE FINAL ACT ON EARTH WAS TO SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND GIVE FAMILIES THE REASSURANCE THAT THEIR LOVED ONE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO WRITE SPECIAL MEMORIES ON A TRIBUTE CARD SO THEIR HEROES' STORIES CAN BE SHARED WITH THE LOPA TEAM. A DONATE LIFE FLAG IS ALSO RAISED OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL AT THE TIME OF DONATION. THE FLAG IS THEN SIGNED BY THE MEDICAL CARE TEAM (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) AND PROVIDED TO THE FAMILY, ALONG WITH A PERSONALIZED HERO'S MEDALLION. ADDITIONAL KEEPSAKES, SUCH AS BUILD-A-BEAR STUFFED ANIMALS WITH A RECORDING OF THEIR LOVED ONE'S HEARTBEAT, MEMORIAL GIFT BOXES, AND HANDPRINT MOLDS CAN ALSO BE PROVIDED AS LASTING TRIBUTES FOR FAMILIES.