Transplant gave Roden the gift of life, fatherhood

HAMILTON - The Marion County Probate Judge’s office is being recognized for its improvement in registering motorists to be organ donors.
Legacy of Hope, a Birmingham-based organ procurement organization, announced the local probate office as the second most improved department of motor vehicle (DMV) offices in the state.
The organization held a special reception for the local probate office and staff on Friday, Sept. 27, at the Marion County Courthouse in Hamilton.
According to data published in September by the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Legacy of Hope says that 29% of Marion County residents have signed up to become an organ donor.
Legacy of Hope Hospital/Community Liaison Brie Hollander told the Journal Record that data from 2011 shows Marion County as having just a 12% donation rate. Available figures show that by 2015, under former probate judge Rocky Ridings, those numbers increased to 17%.