LifeCenter Northwest

Last August, Janna Herrera visited the firefighters from Lacey Fire District Three in Lacey, Wash., to thank them for being first on the scene when her fiancé, Victor Chavez, was found unresponsive. The first responders worked tirelessly to restore Victor’s heartbeat before paramedics arrived, but sadly, he would later die from his injuries. However, it was their dedication and response that ultimately honored Victor's wishes and made life possible for three other people through organ donation — turning tragedy to hope. Janna was accompanied by Victor’s heart recipient who also had the opportunity to thank the firefighters for the swift action that changed the course of all their lives. The Lacey firehouse later shared photos from the gathering along with Victor’s story in a Facebook post with this quote: “Without the organ donor, there is no story, no hope, no transplant. But when there is an organ donor, life springs from death, sorrow turns to hope, and terrible loss becomes a gift.” #NationalFirstRespondersDay #donatelife #donevida

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of sharing the impact of organ donation as an exhibitor at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage, Alaska. THANK YOU to our dedicated group of donor families, transplant recipients, and board members who volunteered their time to educate, tell their stories, and share in conversation as part of this special opportunity!

We're #hiring a new Donor Information Specialist in Bellevue, Washington. Apply today or share this post with your network.

"Make a Difference Day" is just one more reason to get informed about organ donation, make a choice, and tell your loved ones about your donation decision. Learn more and register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor on our website at lcnw.org!

We're #hiring a new Organ Utilization Manager in Bellevue, Washington. Apply today or share this post with your network.

"My beautiful sister Haley donated her liver and kidneys in January after her untimely death. She was 32 years old and the most tenacious, incredible woman. Her son and the rest of her family are so proud of her choice to donate. We miss her dearly, but are grateful for her gifts of life." Thank you, Haley, for making the choice to save others. #donatelife

"I received the gift of life over 22 years ago, thanks to an organ donor and many others. I was born with a genetic illness called Cystic Fibrosis which affected my lungs starting at a young age. I was not expected to live into my teens. By my late 20s I was told if I were to survive, I would need a transplant. It was not an easy decision, and one that affected not just me, but my entire family. That same family who was all waiting for me almost three years later in the waiting room of the ICU when my new lungs came. After my transplant, my life was a whirlwind. But after years of invasive therapy, being in and out of the hospital, it was like a whole new beginning. It was amazing being able to breathe and move around on my own again. Despite my long wait, and how close to the end I was going into surgery, I was able to walk again without oxygen after just one week. Gone were the machines, the IVs, the feeding tube... all that equipment kept me going till my day came. When I could, I started to go out and do things, experience things, just because I could. Things like hiking, backpacking with my husband, snorkeling in Costa Rica, and even playing roller derby in my 40s. I can honestly say that it’s given me a second chance at life that I truly would not have had otherwise. I now see my donor as a heavenly sister, the one who is perhaps still looking out for us down here on earth. For that I say, ‘thank you’." —Heidi, lung transplant recipient #healthylungmonth #donatelife

Take it from Elmo, sadness can be a gift. #grief

We're celebrating 40 years of the National Organ Transplant Act (or NOTA), the legislation that created a life-saving framework that is today's U.S. organ donation and transplantation system. What's great about NOTA? 💙 NOTA recognized organ donation as the #giftoflife — an act of altruism and not a commercial transaction. 💚 The law ensures that organ transplants are based on medical criteria, and not one's financial or social status. In other words, you can't "buy" your way to the top of the waiting list. 💙 NOTA also established federal oversight and regulation of the entire system that includes hospitals, OPOs, and transplant centers, and ensures organ recovery and allocation is consistent and ethical.