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Gift of Life Donor Sabbath

Gift of Life Donor Sabbath provides an opportunity to discuss the critical need for organ and tissue donors and encourage organ donor registration in your house of worship.

National Donor Sabbath 2022 will take place Nov. 11-13. Click here to sign up to participate as an individual or on behalf of your house of worship.

Faith leaders are invited to join other clergy and interfaith colleagues in signing a proclamation of support for the generosity and compassion inherent in the heroic act of organ and tissue donation. Just click here to add your name to this life-saving mission.

National Donor Sabbath

National Donor Sabbath, observed annually in November, seeks to educate faith-based communities about the need for organ, eye and tissue donors. This national initiative partners with faith leaders, houses of worship, and faith-based organizations to educate its congregations about the critical need for donors and to dispel myths and discuss religious beliefs about the donation process. It’s important to note: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation as an unselfish act of charity.

“Organ donation is a testimony of love for our neighbor…” – Pope Francis

Gift of Life Donor Program provides speakers, brochures, materials, and religious resources FREE to faith-based organizations and houses of worship which promote National Donor Sabbath. Click here for access to our materials.

Plan a Donor Sabbath activity such as inviting a Gift of Life representative to speak, hold a donor registration drive, host a donor workshop, organize a candle lighting ceremony, add information about National Donor Sabbath in the bulletin, newsletter, website and e-mail, or highlight a person in your congregation who has a donation or transplant story.

Click here to sign up to participate in National Donor Sabbath.

National Donor Sabbath provides an opportunity to discuss the critical need for organ and tissue donors and encourage organ donor registration in your house of worship.

“Whether you call him God or Jehovah or Allah, it’s all God and can bring anyone together.” 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.  Read the exceptional story of Carol and Kareem. 

Executive Assistant Pastor Nicholas A. Smith of Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ discusses his connection with organ and tissue donation and the role this topic plays in his church.

How to promote National Donor Sabbath
  • Host activities such as a donor registration drive or donor workshop.
  • Light a Donor Sabbath candle in honor of heroes who gave the gift of life and patients awaiting a transplant.
  • Invite a representative from Gift of Life to speak to your organization in person or virtually.
  • Highlight a story of donation and transplantation from your congregation.
  • Publish an announcement in your congregation’s newsletter or bulletin.
  • Share information via social media.
  • Faith leaders are invited to click here to sign a proclamation of support for the generosity and compassion inherent in the heroic act of donation.
  • Find even more materials through Donate Life America.

For more information, or to participate in National Donor Sabbath, contact the Gift of Life community outreach team at communityoutreach@donors1.org.

Related Content

  • Clergy Resources on Organ & Tissue Donation

    Clergy have a unique capacity to increase awareness and acceptance of organ and tissue donation. The information below serves as a resource for clergy to help support Gift of Life’s mission.

  • Gift of Life Stories

    The gift of organ and tissue donation can change someone's life and rewrite their story. Here, donor families, transplant recipients and others share inspiring stories about how donation and transplant transforms lives.

  • About Gift of Life Donor Program

    Gift of Life Donor Program is the nation's leading organ procurement organization coordinating more organ and tissue donors than anywhere else in the United States. Take a brief look at our year history of saving lives.