Donate Life America

"My sister, Lizzy, and I were born with cystic fibrosis and lived into our 30s before both being listed for a double lung transplant. Just three months apart we both received the gift of successful transplants and most recently celebrated eight years with our gift." –Kati (bride) 💙💚 #DonateLife #LungMonth October is Healthy Lung Month! More than 900 adults and children in the U.S. are waiting for the gift of a donor lung & their next full breath. Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, and learn more about lung donation and transplantation at https://lnkd.in/dmv8XcY

North Plainfield High School, located in New Jersey, incorporated a “Donate Life Unit” into their 9th Grade Health Education course curriculum to teach students about the significance and impact of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. This comprehensive two-week unit reached over 250 students this past year, and it is taught in both English and Spanish to meet the diverse language needs of NPHS’ multicultural student population. The “Donate Life Unit” employs various creative and engaging strategies to ensure students actively participate in their learning journey. Lessons include group discussions and structured debates about what it means to become a donor. Creative and fun elements, such as poster and t-shirt design contests, reinforce what students learn and allow them to express their understanding innovatively. On #WorldTeachersDay, we celebrate the vital role that donation and transplantation educators serve in our local schools to help share the #DonateLife message of registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor to students nationwide. 💙💚📚 North Plainfield High School is the recipient of the DLA Excellence in Education Award this year and was nominated by NJ Sharing Network. Congratulations!

This week, our Vice President of Partnerships & Philanthropy, Karen Headley, is attending the 2024 American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) Annual Meeting where she had the opportunity to connect with professionals in the tissue banking community and our Donate Life Partners, BioTissue. Did you know one tissue donor can restore health and heal the lives of more than 75 people? Learn more about what tissues can be donated at: https://lnkd.in/d7G2VsVg 💙💚 #DonateLife #TissueDonation #AATB

"At ten years old, I was diagnosed with two liver diseases, Autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. After years of ups and downs with my health, I ended up in the hospital very sick in November of 2022. During that time, I was evaluated for a liver transplant. While on the list for a transplant, my older brother Aidan made the decision to look into being my living donor. Aidan went through the testing, and we discovered we were a match! In July 2023, we both went into surgery. In the days following, neither of us had any complications, and we were on the road to recovery. Just five weeks after the transplant, Aidan felt good enough to get back on his bike. We are now nine months post-transplant, and we are both doing great! Aidan is living a full and active life, cycling and working. I am getting back into the swing of things as well. My liver transplant has been such a gift, and I am so incredibly thankful to my brother." 💙💚 Thank you to Isabel for sharing her story with us! October is National Liver Awareness Month! More than 9,000 adults and children in the U.S. are waiting for a new liver. You can help! Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, and learn more about living and deceased liver donation and transplantation at DonateLife.net. #DonateLife #LiverAwarenessMonth

Rob Coppel, with nearly 20 years of experience in the organ donation field, has built a reputation for strengthening hospital partnerships, supporting donor families, and developing staff within Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs). As a skilled Family Support Coach and trainer, Rob offers compassionate care to every family he supports. His bilingual abilities in English and Spanish allow him to connect with diverse communities, providing sensitive guidance during difficult times. As a member of the advisory board for the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT), Rob plays an active role in raising awareness about organ donation in multicultural communities. Rob Coppel’s dedication to compassionate family care and community engagement makes him a valuable advocate and leader in the field of organ donation. 💙💚 #HispanicHeritageMonth #DoneVida

“I have always shared with my friends and family that when my time comes, I want to donate everything I can to help others." Cristal Rivas was born in California and grew up in southwest Detroit to Mexican immigrant parents. She is a proud graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. With experience in community organizing, she has been passionately involved in social justice and immigration advocacy campaigns. Cristal transitioned to the organ procurement organization (OPO) field nearly two years ago, taking on the role of Public Education Specialist at Gift of Life Michigan. In her current position, she is dedicated to providing education about organ, eye, and tissue donation to communities of color and dispelling common myths that might deter people from becoming donors. "Entering this field, I was surprised by the large number of Hispanic people on the waiting list, which inspired me to actively work with the community and raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Today, I am healthy and grateful, but we can never predict when we or our loved ones might need the gift of a transplant. It is crucial to consider the past, present, and future as we interact with and educate the community; there are still many barriers we need to overcome." Cristal also serves as the chair of the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation Latino Task Force, where she actively contributes to advancing the organization’s mission. 💙💚 #HispanicHeritageMonth #DoneVida

The Fall season has begun. 🍃🍂 Make more life possible by registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org today! 💙💚

Our driver license partners are SuperStars!✨ The 2024 Blue & Green Day photo contest DMV winners at the Seminole County Tax Collector Lake Mary Branch created this amazing National Donate Life Month-themed display. Thanks to all DMV partners who ask customers the donation registration question throughout April and every day! 💙💚🚗#DMVMonth #DonateLife

Luis Mayen, Vice President of External Affairs and Strategic Alliances at Donor Network West and a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT), recently made the brave decision to become a living organ donor. After months of tests and evaluations, his selfless act became a reality. Luis was an altruistic kidney donor to a woman on dialysis living over 2,000 miles away in New York. Luis hopes his recipient is well and looks forward to learning more about her someday, as their stories are now connected. “This person has a new chance at life, and I would love to write to her to send my best wishes. I am curious to know how she feels and is doing.” This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are helping to share stories that underscore the profound impact of Hispanic professionals in the transplant community. These stories highlight individuals who embody the theme “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” Their remarkable contributions and leadership have paved the way for progress and transformation within our field. Explore these inspiring stories, celebrate their achievements, and join us in honoring their legacies throughout this month and beyond. 💙💚 #HispanicHeritageMonth #DonateLife #DoneVida

Angelica registered to be a donor at her local DMV in honor of her cousin, Cameron. Did you know that over 90% of state donor registrations come through the DMV? Thank you to our incredible DMV partners nationwide for asking the donation question every day! 💙💚🚗 #DonateLife #DMVMonth #Thx4Asking Learn more about registering your decision to be an organ donor at the DMV: https://lnkd.in/gzeD82hB