Two Families, Two Faiths: Joined by Ryan’s life-saving legacy
Gift of Life Stories
After tragedy brought them together, Carol and Kareem realized they shared a special bond through their faith and the life-saving legacy of organ donation.
Gift of Life Stories
Read these inspiring stories about how organ and tissue donation and transplantation touches and transforms lives.
Carrie’s Story – A girl, her guitar, and a promise
Tissue Recipient
After being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, Carrie received the gift of donated tendon grafts that allowed her to live a normal life.
Timmy Nelson dedicates second chance to giving back
Kidney recipient
Whether volunteering at the Food Cupboard, or giving blood to the Red Cross, Nelson is on a mission to help others.
Transplant coordinator explains organ donation process
Education
It takes dozens of people to make a transplant happen. The transplant coordinator is a crucial one, working for both the donor family and the recipients.
“It Took A Simple ‘Yes’ To Save Their Lives”
Organ Donor
When Markita said yes to organ donation, she found comfort knowing that her son Marquis would give others a second chance at life.
Young boy given second chance with new heart
Heart Recipient
“Someone didn’t need their heart anymore, so they were kind enough to donate it to someone who could still use it.”
Life After Loss: Anthony’s Story
Organ Donor
Donor Mom shares the story of her son Anthony, who in his passing gave the gift of life to others.
Former cyclist nearly died waiting for new heart
Heart recipient
“I kind of accepted the fact that I was going to die,” Neal Stansbury said. “I really did. I kind of made peace with myself and everybody else.”
Recipient Forms Bond with Donor’s Mother
Gift of Life Stories
Arlinda Griffin received a kidney and pancreas transplant that saved her life. Today, her hero’s mother has become like family.
Learn About Organ & Tissue Donation
Our Impact in 2021
705
Organ Donors
1,732
Organs Transplanted
1,348
Musculoskeletal Donors
1,894
Cornea Donors
News & Updates
Gift of Life Breaks National Records in Saving Lives in 2021
New CEO Richard Hasz Salutes Region – the Most Generous in the Nation for 14 Consecutive Years – and Team of “Heroes” for Extraordinary Commitment.
Richard Hasz to Succeed Howard Nathan as Gift of Life President & CEO
Gift of Life Donor Program President and CEO Howard M. Nathan to step down and Richard
Hasz, Jr. named as successor to lead the nation’s top organ procurement organization.
Transplant Pregnancy Registry International
Three women who received life-saving organ transplants fulfill their shared dream to become mothers. Transplant Pregnancy Registry International helped them to achieve this dream.
A Miracle on Top of a Miracle
A transplant recipient reflects on her transplant journey which allowed her to achieve her dream of starting a family.
Special education teacher vows to keep legacy alive for heart donor
Jessica Will has always had a heart for others. The wife and mom was busy living life as a special education teacher, when she began to feel weak. She knew what was happening. When she was just 6 years old, Will had bladder cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation which saved her life but damaged her heart.
NYU Langone Health Performs World’s First Successful Face & Double Hand Transplant
Gift of Life is proud to have worked with NYU Langone Health on the groundbreaking first face and bilateral hand transplant in U.S. history.
Pennsylvania Donor Day helps to save lives
PA State Representative Brian Sims joined Good Day Philadelphia to talk about his experience of donating a kidney to his neighbor and why it was so important to him.
12-year-old boy from Catasauqua gets heart
12-year-old Dillan just celebrated his first Christmas after receiving his new heart! Him and his family, from Lehigh Valley, shed light on their gratitude and hope for the future.
Cynthia London, Celebrating 22 Years of Service
Gift of Life is celebrating the contributions of volunteer ambassador, board member, and donor mom Cynthia London. Cynthia became connected with Gift of Life 22 years ago when her son Sipho became an organ donor.
Donor Mom Dawn Ortiz Shares Story of Son Rickey
Meet donor mom Dawn Ortiz, whose son Richard checked the box to be a donor when he went for his driver’s permit as a teen. Sadly, he lost his life at the age of 21, but his mother says her son ‘lives on in other ways.’
Lodging and Support for Families
A supportive “Home Away from Home” for transplant patients and their families.
Organ and Tissue Donation Professionals
An international training center and consulting service for organ donation professionals.