Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 4-7-17

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Tree Of Life Artwork On Display At Tax Collector’s Office
Nearly seven years ago, after she learned of her son, Byron’s, sudden death from a gunshot wound, Orkiya Andrews found hope in the darkness of tragedy - an op- portunity for Byron’s legacy to live on through organ do- nation. Thanks to a selfless act of generosity, Byron saved six lives through organ donation and improved many more as a tissue donor.
On Thursday, April 6, 2017, Byron’s legacy, along with the stories of others im- pacted by donation, will begin to touch Hillsborough County residents in a unique way. The Tree of Life was un- veiled at the Tax Collector’s Office’s in East Tampa. The Tree of Life is a permanent, visual dedication to organ, tissue and eye donation for clients who visit the office and staff who work there.
By saying “yes” when asked, “Are you interested in
Shown, portions of Tree of Life artwork on display at the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office, 2814 East Hills- borough Avenue, Tampa, which features Tampa mom Orkiya Andrews, pictured with her family, whose son, Byron, was an organ donor in 2010.
tor, with revealing the Tree of Life artwork to the general public.
The Tree of Life is filled with leaves, each leaf sym- bolic of the more than 103,000 customers who reg- istered as an organ and tis- sue donor in 2016 through the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office. The Tax Collector’s office is proud that approximately 55% of customers who are asked by staff to join Florida’s organ, tissue and eye donor registry do so, compared with a statewide average of 49%.
One organ donor can po- tentially save the lives of eight people, and improve the lives of dozens more through tissue donation. Do- nation, with the primary ex- ception of living kidney
donation, occurs after death and deciding to register as a donor does not impact med- ical care should a donor be- come ill or injured in an accident. People of all ages can choose to donate and help others in need, and do- nation is supported by all major religions as a personal choice and act of generosity. Donation places no financial burden on the donor’s fam- ily.
Contact LifeLink of Florida for more informa- tion. LifeLink of Florida is a non-profit community serv- ice organization dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissues for transplantation. To register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.LifeLinkFounda- tion.org.
becoming an organ donor?” while receiving or renewing a driver license, customers can designate their desire to be a lifesaver, like Byron. Orkiya Andrews attended the event and assisted Hon-
orable Doug Belden, Hills- borough County Tax Collec-
Florida’s Vengeful Governor... from 2-B
was a driving force behind my bill. And while I felt that Florida was not ready to relin- quish the death penalty, I tried to make it more fair.
Ms. Ayala’s arguments for rejecting the death penalty were compelling and well rea- soned; they were drawn from the stark racial disparities in the criminal justice system that she confronts every day. Yet Ms. Ayala has always said that she would hold the guilty accountable, including, if he is convicted, the defendant in the first case from which she was removed, Markeith Loyd.
Understandably, the issue of how to punish people who kill police officers remains highly charged, especially among law enforcement offi- cials. Many believe that the only proper resolution for the death of Lt. Debra Clayton, the Orlando police officer Mr. Loyd is accused of killing, is an
eye for an eye. I get that.
But for others, including Stephanie Dixon-Daniels, the mother of Mr. Loyd’s slain ex-girlfriend, who has also experienced a devastating loss, Ms. Ayala’s sentencing choice made sense. The death penalty will continue “to drag us back in court and relive this violent, hideous act,” Ms. Dixon-Daniels said. Instead,
she wants closure.
Ms. Ayala demonstrated
leadership when she made her decision. “An analysis of the death penalty must be prag- matic,” Ms. Ayala concluded. “It must be realistic and not simply theoretical, impulsive or emotional.”
It’s disappointing that the governor abandoned the same dispassionate examination. It’s not justice Governor Scott is delivering by forcing the death penalty upon us all. It’s vengeance.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B