(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Placing flowers, Brian Hoopes of Taylorsville holds on to his son Patrick, 3, who needs to stay within a tethered distance for his intravenous fluids since he was essentially born without intestines. On Wednesday, Patrick ceremoniously started the Celebration of Life Monument fountain on Library Square in Salt Lake which is dedicated to those who have given the gift of life through organ, eye, tissue and blood donation. Patrick has been on the donor list for a small intestine for three years.

Honoring donors: Utah boy, 3, starts memorial fountain

The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Apr 04 2012 02:12 pm • Last Updated Apr 04 2012 04:27 pm

Patrick Hoopes, a Taylorsville 3-year-old who is waiting for an intestinal transplant, on Wednesday ceremonially started the fountain at Salt Lake City’s Celebration of Life Monument.

The monument honors Utahns living and deceased who have donated organs. Located on the southeast corner of Library Square at 500 South and 300 East, it includes a wall engraved with donors’ names.

On Wednesday, Intermountain Donor Services gathered the families of donors and those waiting for organs to discuss the importance and impact of donating. The group then walked to the fountain to start it for the season and to remember past donors.

Due to health problems caused by birth defects, Patrick has no small intestine, only a partial large intestine, and survives on intravenous fluids.

According to the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, there are 616 Utah candidates waiting for organs. Most — 392 — are waiting for kidneys.

The name of every donor who has a connection to Utah can be engraved on the monument’s Wall of Honor free. The deadline for submitting names for the annual engraving is June 30.

To learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation or to register on the Yes Utah Donor Registry, log on to www.yesutah.org or call 866.YES.UTAH (866-937-8824).

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