Donate Life America

On this National Day of Service, thank you to all who are helping others. You can help save and heal lives by registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org and encouraging others to do the same 💙💚 #MLKDay #DayOfService #DonateLife

"My mission is simple but profound: to be a voice for those waiting, to spread knowledge about the lifesaving impact of organ donation, and to inspire others to say 'yes' to giving the gift of life. I will never stop fighting for this cause, because I’ve seen firsthand the difference one person can make." In 2023, Andrea began the testing process to determine whether she was a good candidate for living donation for her friend in need of a kidney. However, it was determined that they were not compatible. Undeterred, Andrea decided that she would altruistically donate her kidney to someone she didn't know, giving the gift of life in December 2024. Today, Andrea is an avid advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation and the #DonateLife mission. 💙💚

We’re excited to share that Casey Watkins has been promoted to Engagement & Development Director! 💙💚 Casey has been with Donate Life America for over 12 years and will continue to play a key role in advancing the #DonateLife mission by driving revenue growth and strengthening support for donation and transplant professionals through innovative program development, strategic leadership of the Annual Conference, and continued investment in Donate Life State Team success. We're so proud of Casey's leadership, institutional knowledge, and long-standing commitment to our mission!

Today is International Thank You Day! Thank you to organ, eye and tissue donors and donor families for your generosity. You save and heal so many lives each year. Thank you to the donation and transplantation professionals for your incredible dedication and collaboration! 💙💚 #DonateLife Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org.

"When I was about a year and a half old, I fell into my family's Christmas tree and one of the needles punctured my right eye, leaving a fragment. I had the needle surgically removed a few days later, but my eye did not heal the way they anticipated. My eye was inflamed and constantly infected, which majorly affected my vision — this lasted four years, and no one could seem to find a lasting treatment or solution for these chronic problems. My family and I travelled all over Minnesota seeking answers for my very unhealthy right eye that caused me so much pain in my early years of life. Finally, Dr. Elizabeth Davis at Minnesota Eye Consultants made the decision to place me on the corneal transplant list in July of 2007. On October 23rd, 2007, at the age of six, I underwent a corneal transplant. My life has been changed forever since my transplant. Not only was my sight restored and I was able to enjoy a now pain-free childhood, but my transplant provided me with a lifelong dream and mission of becoming an eye doctor as an attempt to give back the greatest gift that was given to me. Now, 18 years post-transplant, I am in my first year of optometry school, living out my dream – a dream that would never have been possible without my donor's generous gift of sight. I am grateful each and every day for my donor and the beauty of organ donation!" 💙💚 #DonateLife Thank you, Kailee, for sharing your story with us!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year! 💙💚🎉 #DonateLife #HappyNewYear2025 Start your year with lifesaving generosity – register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org and encourage your friends and family to learn more at DonateLife.net

There's still time to make a Year-End gift to Donate Life America! 💙💚 During the season of giving, you can help make a difference in the lives of the more than 100,000 people waiting for a lifesaving transplant. When you make a contribution to Donate Life America, you support our mission to help educate, inspire and activate the public to say yes to being an organ, eye and tissue donor: https://lnkd.in/en-FXVdf

"Christian had a kind heart and was always willing lend a hand to those in need. His selfless nature was seen in his volunteer work at school, where he would spend time reading to younger kids. Christian was a role model to his younger siblings, always there to guide and assist them. Our family misses his jokes and that big smile he always had. But I am so proud of him for making that decision [to be a donor] and that he was able to save two lives. Christian’s organ donation has helped me in my grieving process because I know that a part of him still lives in someone else." Turkessa's life changed forever when she received a call that her son, Christian, was in a terrible car accident. Despite all efforts, Christian’s life couldn’t be saved, and it was then that Turkessa was reminded that Christian was a registered donor, and she was guided through the organ donation process. "I knew that Christian made the right decision, and I would honor his wishes." Today, Turkessa works for LifeShare Carolinas, honoring Christian's legacy and helping to share the important message of organ, eye and tissue donation.

"Around 16 years ago, my wife, April, was diagnosed with kidney disease. Knowing we had the same blood type, I told her from the start that, without hesitation, I would give her a kidney if we were compatible. Fast forward to about a year ago. Her health started declining, and she started seeing her nephrologist more often. We definitely wanted to do all we could to keep her from starting dialysis. She was eventually referred to The Ohio State University Werner Medical Center. After all the testing and appointments, I was approved as her living donor. Three weeks later, on October 10, 2025, she received one of my kidneys. The morning after surgery, I was up walking, and her labs were already better than they had been in well over 10 years. I spent two nights in the hospital, and she was discharged after four nights. We have now been home for just over two weeks, and today we are celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary with many, many more to celebrate in the future. Recovery hasn’t been without its hurdles, but with all the support we’ve received from our family and friends, it has been easier. Needless to say, this has greatly improved my wife’s and our family’s overall quality of life. I also can’t describe what this act has done for my own self-confidence and feeling of self-worth. Having been registered organ donors for many years, donation now has renewed importance and a special place in our lives." –Michael 💙💚 #DonateLife

Each day of Kwanzaa celebrates a principle, starting with Unity and ending in Faith. To all celebrating this week, may peace, love, and unity bring you a #HappyKwanzaa! #DonateLife 💙💚