Gift of Life Donor Program

Did you know that tissue donation is an important part of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction? One skin donor's tissues can help more than five people undergoing breast reconstruction surgery! In honor of Gift of Life's 50 years of service and Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, show your support for breast cancer survivors and register to become an organ and tissue donor! You can also support our campaign to register 50,000 more donors. Sign up at www.donors1.org/register. ???? #DonateLife #BRADay MTF Biologics

Gift of Life is pleased to announce that Brian Bruder was one of three students awarded the Jessica Beth Schwartz Memorial Scholarship this year. The scholarship program was created by the family of heart recipient Jessica Beth Schwartz so that other transplant recipients could fulfill the same dream she did: to pursue higher education. Each year, the program awards scholarships through the Gift of Life Transplant Foundation. At the age of nine, Brian was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Dense Deposit Disease. He waited for years for a healthy kidney, receiving the gift of life in December 2023 thanks to a donor hero and the team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. “I thank God every day for all the gifts that I have been given. I intend to live my life to its fullest.” Brian and his family continue to support the cause of organ donation education and awareness through an organization they started called “Brian’s Buddies.” Brian is now attending Temple University alongside his brother. Congrats Brian! You can save lives like Brian’s and honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service by signing up to become an organ and tissue donor. Support our campaign to register 50,000 more donors and provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant! Sign up at donors1.org/register

Orlando Mojica loved superheroes and became a hero himself, saving three lives through organ donation when he passed away at age six. His parents supported donation knowing what a compassionate and thoughtful boy he was. “We knew instantly that Orlando could bring you as much love and joy as he brought us in the six years that he blessed our lives. We knew he would have wanted to help you," they wrote to his transplant recipients. We celebrate Orlando's legacy as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. 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 signing up to become an organ and tissue donor. Support our campaign to register 50,000 more donors and provide hope to the thousands waiting for transplant! Sign up at donors1.org/register

Onyi received her gift of life through a liver transplant at only 10-months-old. You too can give life to others like her by registering to become an organ donor at donors1.org/register. Onyi Kenine was diagnosed with biliary atresia as a newborn and received a liver before she turned 1. Thanks to the team at Nemours and her donor hero, Onyi is now able to play sports and attend school just like everyone else. She is attending college and plans to become a pediatrician, inspired by the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for her throughout her transplant journey. October is Liver Awareness Month, and there are thousands of people who need a life-saving liver transplant. You can give the gift of life by registering 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 more than 100,000 people nationally waiting for transplant! Share this post and sign up at donors1.org/register

Join Gift of Life Howie's House for the upcoming webinar “Nutrition After Transplant” on Oct. 23, from 3-4 p.m. Clinical Educator/Practice Specialist Amy Kennett MA, RD, LDN, CNSC, of Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System will discuss food safety, post-transplant diabetes and food interactions with medication. Click here to register today: https://lnkd.in/ewcmM69Q This webinar is sponsored by CSL Behring and Veloxis Pharmaceuticals. 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! Sign up at donors1.org/register

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