ROCHESTER, N.Y. — This month is Donate Life Month, and at Strong Memorial Hospital, a flag-raising commemorated the occasion.

Hospital staff and Finger Lakes Donor Recovery gathered with organ transplant recipients to recognize the power of a donation.

National Donate Life Month helps to encourage people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors, and honors those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.

"I see the struggle that families and patients have every time that they are waiting to have a transplant,” said URMC Chief of Organ Transplantation Dr. Roberto Hernandez Alejandro. "Every time they are listed, they struggle, because this is not something that only affects the patient, but the families. And they struggle because of that."

"We wanted to make sure that our worst day was someone else's best day,” said Eddie Lowe, father of an organ donor. “Organ donation meant that our son's legacy could live on and give others a second chance in life. It wasn’t just our wish; it was Billy’s wish to admire another young hockey player."

Right now, more than 500 people are on transplant waiting lists at Strong Hospital.