The Power of Organ Donation: Transplanting Hope and Saving Lives

From July 5th through July 11th, I had the incredible honor of attending the 2024 Transplant Games of America. This event is truly one-of-a-kind! Over 10,000 people—transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families—came together in what I can only describe as a giant celebration of life and love. The recipients competed in everything from bowling to track and field events, but their shared goal wasn’t about winning, It was about honoring the person who gave them the gift of life through organ donation. Meanwhile, donor families cheered them on with pride and love.

This year was particularly special for two people, Pat and Nilsa. Twenty-five years ago, Pat tragically lost her 16-year-old son. After being shot by his best friend in a tragic accident, her son’s organs saved six lives. On that same day, Nilsa, who was facing death without a kidney transplant, received his kidney. The two met a few years later and have been family ever since.

Not all stories are like this one. Most recipients never get the chance to meet the family of the person who saved their life, and most donor families never meet the person their loved one saved. Often, donor families are grieving and fear that meeting the recipient might deepen their pain. While it may not bring closure, I’ve learned that meeting the recipient often brings a profound sense of purpose. Knowing that your spouse, child, or family member saved someone’s life is a powerful source of pride and comfort.

At the Games, I made it a point to connect with as many people as possible, asking them to share their stories. Recipients spoke with pride about how someone’s decision to say “yes” to organ donation saved their lives. Donor families, in turn, shared tearful stories of love, loss, and the lasting impact of organ donation.

Then, there are the living donors—those remarkable individuals who gave a part of themselves to save someone else. Sometimes it’s a family member donating a kidney or liver, and other times, it’s part of a complex donation chain, where one person’s kidney goes to a stranger, whose family member donates to someone else, and so on.

One of the most inspiring stories I heard came from a man named Mark from Allentown. While out for a jog one day, he decided to donate his kidney to a complete stranger. He never met the person he saved, and to this day, he doesn’t know who they are or if they’re still alive. It was a true act of selfless love.

Organ donation begins with a simple choice—just say “YES” to becoming a donor. As my dear friend Diane says, “My husband was in a fatal car accident. The doctors told her as long as there is brain activity, there is hope. As long as there is hope, they will keep him alive.” Twelve days after his accident, the doctors informed her that there was no longer any brain activity. At that point, they asked if he was an organ donor. The hospital did everything they could, and Eddie saved three lives that day. All three of those people are still alive today.

With love and gratitude,

Ken Lovely

Chairman of the Board