TAMPA, FL – (April 3, 2017) – This Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 10:00 am Doug Belden, Hillsborough County Tax Collector and partners,  Florida Donate Life, will come together to unveil and dedicate a tree of life mural, located at the East Tampa office on 2814 E. Hillsborough Ave.,  in honor of those who’ve made an impact through organ and tissue donations.

Nearly seven years ago, after Orkiya Andrews learned of her son, Byron’s, sudden death from a gunshot wound, she found hope in the darkness of tragedy – an opportunity for Byron’s legacy to live on through organ donation. Thanks to a selfless act of generosity, Byron saved six lives through organ donation and improved many more as a tissue donor.  On Thursday, Byron’s legacy, along with the stories of others impacted by donation, will begin to touch Hillsborough County residents in a unique way with the unveiling of the Tree of Life 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 becoming an organ donor?” while receiving or renewing a driver license, customers can designate their desire to be a lifesaver like Byron.  Belden has also designated the month of April as Donate Life Month, where all Tax Collector offices will promote awareness of Florida’s organ and tissue donor registry.

Orkiya Andrews will attend the April 6th event and join Doug Belden, Hillsborough County Tax Collector, in revealing the Tree of Life artwork to the general public.

For more information or questions regarding the event, please contact Nancy Millan, Director of Community Relations at 813-612-6762.