Information for Clergy and Houses of Worship
Gift of Life welcomes the opportunity to educate, inform and encourage the religious community about organ, tissue, and eye donation. We partner with houses of worship throughout our tri-state service area to bring this issue to their members and the community. Gift of Life will provide the necessary tools and resources to assist clergy with "Getting the Word Out."
Choir performing during the 2009 Gospel Concert and Vigil.
There are a variety of ways to get your house of worship involved.
It's About Life Grants
Donors Are Heroes and Gift of Life Donor Program are offering funding for "It's About Life" Grants awarded in amounts of up to $2,000 each to Houses of Worship and faith-based organizations willing to participate in creating an organ and tissue awareness program for their congregations and community.
It is the intention of the grants to encourage donation education in the faith communities. At times, religious beliefs have been the reason families objected to organ and tissue donation. Many families are not aware of what their denominational position is on donation. Organizations can used the funding to carry out activities that would educate communities about organ and tissue donation in Delaware, Southern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
Zoom+ Living kidney donor Rev. Karen Onesti speaking during the 2008 Living Donor Ceremony, with her recipient, Rabbi Andrew Bossov standing aside her.
There are many types of activities or programs that can be accomplished, within the allotted budget. Each organization is encouraged to work within a framework that is suitable for its unique community. The following are few suggested activities (not to limit creativity):
- Gospel Concert
- Community Fun Day & Health Fair
- Luncheon and Presentation following service
- Prayer Breakfast
- Permanent displays and signs to encourage donation.
We welcome all ideas for events/programs however the above events/programs are facilitated to help get the waiting list down and educate individuals about this crisis.
Use the documents below to apply for a grant today!
 | It's About Life Grant guidelines and application - 1.0MB |
 | It's About Life Grant guidelines - 76.7KB |
| It's About Life Grants - clergy letter - 11.8KB |
For further information please contact Multicultural Outreach Coordinator Lynne Williams.
National Donor Sabbath
National Donor Sabbath brings together religious and transplant communities to raise awareness of the urgent need for organ and tissue donors and to dispel fears about the incompatibility of religion and donation. Every major religion in the United States supports organ and tissue donation as one of the highest expressions of compassion and generosity. It is unlikely, however, that most people have heard their religious leaders speak out about this critical issue.
Gift of Life Donor Program, with support from the area transplant community, participated in National Donor Sabbath Weekend this year by holding a prayer breakfast and by garnering the participation of dozens of local houses of worship.
Get involved in next year's event...
- Include donor information in your newsletter, bulletin, website or e-mail.
- Hold a donor drive to encourage individuals to register online and discuss their decision with their families.
- Host a donor awareness workshop, prayer breakfast, or health fair with an information display on donation and presentations by living donors, donor families, transplant recipients, patients awaiting transplants or transplant professionals.
- Request a speaker to come to your congregation to speak about organ and tissue donation.
- Advertise organ and tissue donation through your house of worship
Events & Meetings 
