Gift of Life Donor Program

As we honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service, we are pleased to announce a new recognition program to highlight hospital partners who are our most dedicated “Advocates in Action.” Hospital partners are essential to our joint mission of saving lives through organ donation. Our first honoree is: Heidi Weeder, RN, CCRN, EMT Senior Clinician, Intensive Care Unit UPMC Williamsport Heidi, pictured on the left with Gift of Life Hospital Services Coordinator Christina Sarge, exemplifies outstanding advocacy for donation through her unwavering commitment to organ donors and their families. As a donation champion, she goes above and beyond by leading the donation council of her campus with exceptional dedication. Her role involves spearheading initiatives as well as meticulously planning events throughout the year. This includes leading the charge for her hospital during the Donate Life HAP Challenge. Heidi’s advocacy fosters a culture of donation both in the hospital and her community. Congratulations, Heidi! To honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service, support our campaign to register 50,000 more organ donors. Provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant when you sign up at www.donors1.org/register

Dylan’s life was saved thanks to the generosity of an organ donor. You can save lives like his. Register at donors1.org/register. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to take a moment to highlight our friend Dylan Contreras. Dylan likes to say he has two birthdays. One is the day he was born. The second is the day he received his life-saving kidney transplant. Dylan was on dialysis for three years, undergoing treatment three to four times a week for up to four hours. Needing an escape from the grind of treatments, he turned to photography. Dylan received the kidney that saved his life, thanks to a donor hero and their generous family and the dedicated staff at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. “I now have a second life and a meaningful life that wouldn’t have been achieved if not for that kidney,” Dylan says. Dylan now has his own photography business, D.C. Productions. St. Christopher’s created a room for families facing loss and considering the possibility of organ donation. Dylan’s photos adorn the walls. He also had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at last year’s Organ Donor Awareness Night at the Philadelphia Phillies. Dylan notes, “The only reason I’m able to do all those things is because somebody said, ‘Hey, I’m going to sign up today to become an organ donor.’” Honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service by helping save more lives. Support our campaign to register 50,000 more organ donors and provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant! Share this post and sign up at donors1.org/register

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. Honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service by supporting our campaign to register 50,000 more organ donors. Provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant when you sign up at donors1.org/register #DonateLife #LungMonth

Thank you to Independence Blue Cross and The Blue Crew for visiting Gift of Life and volunteering their time to promote the life-saving message of organ and tissue donation. We were particularly glad to welcome back former Gift of Life Intern Jeremiah who joined us in our mission to save lives during his time in Drexel University’s co-op program. The Blue Crew helped create 500 Donor Recognition Displays. These beautiful works will be sent to donor families to honor their loved ones. Honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of life-saving service by joining our campaign to register 50,000 more organ donors. Provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant: www.donors1.org/register

October is National Liver Awareness Month! More than 9,000 adults and children in the US are waiting for a new liver. You can help. Honor Gift of Life's 50 years of life-saving service by joining our campaign to register 50,000 more organ donors. Provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant: donors1.org/register #DonateLife #LiverAwarenessMonth

Thanks to Inspira Health and the team members at both the Mullica Hill and Vineland, NJ, locations for collecting wish list and pantry items for a “Stuff the Shuttle” event for Gift of Life Howie's House! The shuttle was filled to the brim with much-needed items for our guests, thanks to the hard work of the Inspira staff! This event was possible thanks to Gift of Life volunteer ambassador Bob Baur driving the shuttle to both locations! If you’d like to coordinate a Stuff the Shuttle event with your organization, learn more: https://lnkd.in/eX-Q-62a

David Nelson saved lives. You can too by registering to become an organ donor at donors1.org/register. David Nelson Jr. passed away suddenly in July 2006. David’s compassion for others resulted in his decision to be an organ donor. David saved the lives of five other people. In his memory, David’s family and friends have established the David Nelson Jr. Memorial Fund. The Fund provides educational scholarships for children of deceased organ and tissue donors. The Nelson family has provided these scholarships since 2009 and have awarded over $40,000 in scholarships for children of organ and tissue donors. Are you a donor child in high school or college? We invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity: https://lnkd.in/eGPmzpBw You can leave a lasting legacy like David by registering as an organ donor. Honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service by helping save more lives. Support our campaign to register 50,000 more organ donors and provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant! Share this post and sign up at donors1.org/register

Rita Milburn-Dobson, MDiv, BSN, RN, has been a supporter of organ donation for decades. She was a registered nurse for 40 years and even assisted with a cornea recovery. She went on to discuss end-of-life care with families in her role as an ICU chaplain. The Dobsons all supported organ donation, including Rita’s husband Austin Dobson Sr. When Austin tragically died in 2022, Dr. Dobson was surprised and grateful to learn Austin could donate his tissue and corneas despite his illness. The grandfather of two was known for his positive attitude and saw “the world through rose-colored glasses.” Now his recipient can too. Austin suffered from end-stage renal disease, but he was able to heal lives through donation. Austin’s story reminds us to never rule ourselves out as a potential donor hero. Dr. Dobson notes, “We miss Austin very much, but we are happy he could help make the lives of others better.” When you lose a loved one, Dr. Dobson says it does not have to be the end of the world. “It can be the beginning of something beautiful thanks to organ donation.” Thanks to Dr. Dobson, a certified grief counselor, for sharing her story with Gift of Life staff recently. Honor Austin’s legacy and Gift of Life’s 50 years of service by supporting our campaign to register 50,000 more organ donors. Provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant when you sign up at donors1.org/register

Join Gift of Life in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. This special observance honors the impact and history of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Special thanks to our Hispanic American, Latino, Latina, and Latinx-identifying friends for your support of our life-saving mission and contributions to our community. Honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service by joining our campaign to register 50,000 more organ donors. Provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant when you sign up to save lives at donors1.org/register

Thanks to everyone who attended the 2024 Organ Donor Awareness Night at the Philadelphia Phillies! Grateful transplant recipients, selfless donor families and our tireless advocates helped spread the message to a SOLD-OUT crowd that organ donation saves lives. We had an awesome time cheering on a Phillies win! Kidney recipient Xzavier Shockley threw out the first pitch. He received his life-saving transplant at Nemours and leads a healthy and active life. He attends high school, plays baseball and soccer and excelled at this summer’s Transplant Games of America. To honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service, please sign up to become an organ donor. Help us register 50,000 more organ donors. Provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant: donors1.org/register