Some family ties ran very deep Thursday night for families affected by organ donations.

Life Point held a special holiday candlelight ceremony for organ, tissue and eye donor families at Coastal Grand Mall.

The families were able to share time with each other, as well as Life Point and professionals from area hospitals, who were able to help honor the gift of life.

Counselors say events like this one are important, especially during the holidays.

"The holidays are so hard for them, so we decided to do a candlelight ceremony in four places in the state. This is one of them, and it just gives the families a way to know somebody is here," said Cathy Blalock with Life Point Donor Family Services.

For the past 25 years, Life Point has been involved with more than 9,000 organ, tissue and eye donations.

For more information on organ, tissue, and eye donation, click here.