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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the Mid-South Transplant Foundation marked National Pediatric Transplant Week with a special tribute.

Transplant recipients, their families and donor families were honored during a flag-raising ceremony highlighting how organ donation saves children’s lives.

Among those sharing their stories is kidney transplant recipient Artavius Veasey, who said they are living proof donation works and are now giving back as ambassadors in the community.

“It’s very important for people in the community to see to know and see someone who is African-American and who is thriving 21 years with a kidney transplant to dispel the myths and misconceptions and to know that organ donation really does work,” Veasey said.

One mother spoke to that importance and the pride in her son for helping others.

“You know on your driver license where it said you wanted to be a donor. So he said since somebody helped me, he wanted to help somebody else. He said he want his legacy to live so he helped 67 people…so I was proud of that,” Tremetrius Barnes said.