Donor Network West

This past Saturday, on International Women's Day, our President and CEO, Janice F. Whaley, PhD, MPH, had the privilege of joining the Women Health Care Executives NorCal RefresHER event, surrounded by incredible leaders who inspire and empower their colleagues and peers, including Donor Network West's board member Berta Alicia Bejarano, M.A., MBA, C.I., CDE?, who was a lead panelist for this inspiring event. The Women Health Care Executives NorCal nominated Janice for Women of the Year, an honor she does not take lightly. We're proud to be one of the sponsors of their 2025 Woman of the Year Gala this April 25th at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco; it will undoubtedly be a memorable night! Here's to supporting, uplifting, and empowering women worldwide every day! ??? #MyDNWest #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest #InternationalWomensDay #WomensHistoryMonth

It is our privilege to honor Wendy Hammond, who has been a beacon of hope for her family, friends, and community of Reno. Wendy Hammond is the mother of the late Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hammond. She passed in July 2019 after a tragic accident when a bounce house, with her inside, was blown into electric power lines. She is survived by her parents, two younger siblings, and an extended network of friends and loved ones. The Hammond family decided to donate Lizzy’s organs after she spent days in the hospital on life support. Lizzy saved three lives through organ donation. “Lizzy was an incredibly kind and giving kid,” said Wendy Hammond, Lizzy’s mother. “She always raised her hand to help others –– her generous spirit made the decision to give the gift of life an easier one.” Ever since Lizzy's tragic passing, Wendy and the Hammond family have advocated for the gift of life and child safety. This past February, Wendy and her husband Mitch Hammond told their story to lawmakers in Reno. They have long wanted the laws to be changed so that what happened to Lizzy doesn’t happen to another child. Assembly Bill 198 was introduced on February 12th. It’s being called Lizzy’s Law and would regulate the bounce house industry in Nevada. Lawmakers were receptive, even asking for tougher regulations before the bill moved forward. Lizzy’s father thanked lawmakers after the bill was discussed. “Thank you for listening to our horrific story,” he said. “Know that I’ll never have my daughter back. It breaks my heart. Please pass this.” You can learn more about the Hammond Family and Lizzy's Law here: https://lnkd.in/g4-Tk7Rn #MyDNWest #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest #LizzysLaw

Adriana Castillo is a Donate Life Ambassador, resident of Fresno, and recent kidney recipient. She is a staunch advocate for donation and has been able to speak and share her experience as someone on the waiting list and someone who has received the gift of life in various spaces from community health fairs to local television stations, all with the hopes of bringing greater awareness on the topic of organ, eye and tissue donation. Prior to receiving a kidney transplant Adriana had been on dialysis since 2015 due to her diagnosis with Polycystic Kidney Disease, and was active on the waiting list until 2022 when she received devastating news. Her heart function had declined and was no longer a candidate for transplantation. She did not let this deter her and with her new prognosis, she committed herself with the simple yet challenging goal to strengthen her heart. Within the course of a year, she was able to get her heart health back to the point where she was active again on the list, received that life-saving call in December of 2023, and now she continues to live and honor her donor every day. Learn more about kidney health, and stories like Adriana's, here: https://lnkd.in/g4W9tB3Z #MyDNWest #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest #NationalKidneyMonth

In a historic achievement that underscores the growing impact of organ donation, Donor Network West has reached 100 organ donors in the first two and a half months of the year—marking the fastest timeframe in the organization’s 38-year history to hit this milestone. This unprecedented success reflects the generosity of donor families and the unwavering support of hospitals and healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to facilitate the donation process. Donor Network West is on track to save more lives than ever, reinforcing its mission to provide hope and healing through organ, eye, and tissue donation. Read more about this remarkable achievement here: https://lnkd.in/gmjepeQD #MyDNWest #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest

Today is National Funeral Service Professionals Day, and we're privileged to have the support of our exemplary funeral service partners across our donation service area who aid our mission of saving and healing lives through organ and tissue transplantation and research. Featured here: Washoe County Medical Examiner & Coroner's Office, Walton's Funerals and Cremations, and Truckee Meadows Cremation & Burial Thank you for helping to make our mission possible ???? #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest #MyDNWest #NationalFuneralServiceProfessionalsDay

Today is International Women's Day, and it is our privilege to celebrate and honor the incredible, esteemed, and endearing women in our communities and worldwide who continue to make change and create a better world for us all. Drop a ?? and join us in celebrating our people! #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest #MyDNWest #InternationalWomensDay

Happy Employee Appreciation Day! ?? Our mission wouldn't be possible without the dedication and compassion ?? of our staff of over 400! They work diligently and find innovative ways to save and heal lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation. Drop a ?? to show your appreciation! #EmployeeAppreciation #SaveAndHealLives #OrganDonation

Ashley and Clinton Rickman were the first parents to say yes to donation as part of Donor Network West’s birth tissue donation program at Carson Tahoe Health. “We said yes because it helps so many people with an organ that would normally just be discarded,” said Ashley and Clinton Rickman, parents to Freyja, who was born Feb. 18 at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. “Thank you for the opportunity to give back!” On February 28th, Donor Network West announced a new birth tissue donation program at Carson Tahoe Health, allowing mothers to donate their placenta following childbirth. These tissues, which are typically discarded after delivery, can instead be donated for transplantation, research and education. To learn more, click here: https://lnkd.in/gqF6yknq #MyDNWest #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest

On February 25th, the Golden State Warriors hosted African-American Heritage Night, celebrating the rich culture and heritage of the African-American community in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our Donate Life Ambassador and Tissue Transplant Recipient Velma Wilson has been hosting African-American Heritage Night with Donor Network West for over 14 years to inspire and encourage not only Black and African-Americans but all people to say YES to organ donation. #MyDNWest #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest #GoldenStateWarriors #BlackHistory

Donor Network West welcomed Vacaville High School students and faculty to our Clinical facility in Norris Canyon. These heroes of tomorrow had the opportunity to hear stories from donor hero families, transplant recipients, and Donor Network West professionals who specialize in the multiple aspects of the #GiftOfLife. These students were ready and avid listeners, excited to be hands-on and learn more about their professional futures within this life-saving healthcare and science sector. It is always a privilege to educate and nurture our communities. Learn how you can get involved in saving lives here: https://lnkd.in/gpfqxaqD #MyDNWest #DonateLife #DoneVida #DonorNetworkWest #Vacaville #VacavilleHighSchool