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Celebrate National Donate Life Month

by on Apr 09, 2012 in Cashman Blog
Aside from the beautiful spring weather this month, April is also National Donate Life Month.  In honor of this, Gift of Life Donor Program will host numerous events in April to help raise awareness of National Donate Life Month.  Gift of Life, the nonprofit organization serving the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware is responsible for recovering and distributing organs and tissues used in life-saving and life-enhancing transplants.  The 10th Annual THE Party will be  held with the help of Donors Are Heroes, a committed group of volunteers founded in 2001 by Don and Renee Freeman to support Gift of Life, on Friday, April 27th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia.  Gift of Life uses the funds raised from ticket sales directly to maintain public awareness programs, school summits and teaching initiatives. 

 

 Below Faith Carlin, a Philadelphia woman who is a kidney and pancreas transplant recipient, shares her experience with Gift of Life:

Faith Carlin with her two daughters Elizabeth (left) and Erin (right) at a Phillies game at Citizen’s Bank Park.

This summer will mark 20 years since I received the gifts of a kidney and pancreas from my donor, Doug Shriver.  After Doug died, his family made a decision that changed many lives.  I’m so thankful to the Shriver family and all involved in my transplant.  In 1992, I was waiting to begin dialysis and my blood sugar was very hard to control.  The insulin dependent diabetes I had since a child was destroying my body, and I was suffering from many diabetic complications.  I believe the transplant saved my life.

A short time later I was inspired to volunteer with Gift of Life Donor Program, and I’ve attended many U.S. Transplant Olympics.  Being a part of raising awareness about the need for organ and tissue donation is a very important part of my life.   

I’ve also been blessed with marriage and gave birth to two healthy daughters following my transplant.  It brought me such joy to introduce my two children to Doug’s parents.  It was because they said “YES” to organ donation that I was able to become healthy enough to have my children.   

For more information about Gift of Life Donor Program or to register today as an organ and tissue donor, please visit www.donors1.org.  To purchase tickets or for more information about THE Party on April 27th, please visit www.donorsareheroestheparty.com.

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