At just eight months old, Shaahed received urgent liver transplants after suffering liver and kidney failure — an unimaginable fight for survival for a baby.
His life was saved thanks to the generosity of a family who didn’t even know him.
“I survived because someone said ‘yes’ to donation,” Shaahed said. “Now I’m living to pay that gift forward.”
That gift shaped the course of his life, allowing Shaahed to grow, learn and pursue his dream of a career in medicine. His goal is simple but powerful: to give back to the medical community that helped save him and to honor the donor who made his life possible.
Gratitude drives everything he does.
As a passionate advocate for organ donation, Shaahed, who is also an Eagle Scout, shares his story with audiences across the community, reminding people that one decision can save lives. His advocacy also shines through his leadership in Gift of Life’s signature event, the annual Donor Dash, where he leads a team that has raised thousands of dollars to support programs for donor families and transplant recipients. For Shaahed, the Dash is deeply personal.
“Donor Dash is a way to celebrate the people who gave us a second chance,” he says. “It’s about honoring donor heroes and supporting the families who made those gifts possible.”
Each step he takes — whether in the race, in the classroom or on stage sharing his story — is part of a lifelong mission to make sure others understand the power of saying “yes” to organ donation.
Because for Shaahed, that one decision meant everything. And for him, every day is another opportunity to pay that gift forward.
Shaahed is my hero!!
I can’t thank him enough for being an advocate for organ donation. See you at the Donor Dash
“Always Blessings Never Losses”
Hugs and much love Michael’s mama Dawn 💗