Simmons Partners with Nonprofit to Promote Organ Donation

[From Left] David Jackson, President/COO Simmons Pet Food, Gary Murphy, President/COO Simmons Prepared Foods, Alan Cochran, President/Executive Director ARORA, Todd Simmons, CEO Simmons Foods, Dan Houston, Chief Human Resources Officer, Simmons Foods, and Jerry Laster, Chief Strategy Officer (Everyone pictured here is a registered organ donor)

Simmons Foods on Thursday announced a workplace partnership with the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA).

Through its workplace partnership, the nonprofit supports employee education about organ, tissue and eye donation including donor registration. Simmons joins Arkansas employers around the state in supporting ARORA in its effort to encourage organ donation throughout the state.

“This topic is near to our hearts. We have Simmons team members who have partnered directly with ARORA to save lives through the loss of a loved one and we’re proud to share in promoting this important work,” said Todd Simmons, CEO of Simmons Foods.

Jeff Webster, President/COO Simmons Feed Ingredients

Jeff Webster, President and COO of Simmons Feed Ingredients, shared his personal experience with organ donation. Jeff’s son Aaron was 20 when he died in a 2009 car accident in Arkansas. His organs and tissues saved the lives of at least eight people. In addition, he donated his corneas and grafts of skin that have been used for 200 children who suffered severe burns or accidents.

Jeff added, “I’d ask you all to do two things when you go home this evening. One, really think about your life from an eternal perspective. Second, have a serious conversation with your loved ones about organ donation.”

Dan Houston, Chief Human Resources Officer added, “Each member of our executive leadership team is a registered donor, and we’re encouraging others to do the same. We know this work saves lives. Why wouldn’t we want to be involved?”

Todd Simmons, CEO of Simmons Foods discusses ARORA Workplace Partnership

More than 120,000 people nationally and over 300 Arkansans are on the waiting list for organ transplant. Those looking for more information about organ donation or to register can visit donatelifearkansas.org or arora.org.