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- https://www.transplantlifefoundation.org/initiatives
Initiatives Driven by our commitment to educate, connect, and advocate, the Transplant Life Foundation leads powerful programs that transform the transplantation world. From producing the Transplant Games of America , the world's largest celebration of life, to publishing TransplantNATION Magazine and cultivating real-time support inside the Transplant Community HUB , our key initiatives work together to raise awareness, honor donors, and elevate voices across the globe. Transplant Games of America As the world’s largest celebration of life, this biennial six-day event unites the entire donation and transplantation community through 20 athletic competitions and over 45 special events. The Games foster deep community connections, showcase the transformative power of donation, and actively promote living donation and national donor registries. Learn More TransplantNATION Magazine TransplantNATION is a bi-monthly, 68-page publication dedicated to inspiring, educating, and connecting the global organ, eye, and tissue donation community. Designed for recipients, donor families, living donors, and medical professionals alike, every issue delivers compelling human-interest stories, key healthcare insights, and vital resources right to your fingertips. Learn More Subscribe Today > Digital Subscriber Log-in > Transplant Community HUB The Transplant Community Hub is your dedicated online home built exclusively for the donation and transplantation community. Designed as a safe, private space, it gives recipients, living donors, waiting-list candidates, caregivers, and medical professionals a secure environment to ask questions, share personal stories, and build meaningful, lifelong connections. Learn More
- Transplantlifefoundation.org | Transplant Life Foundation
The Transplant Life Foundation’s initiatives serve the Donation and Transplant Community through a series of special events, programming and educational services, and advocate for thousands of individuals in need. Bold Advocacy. Lifelong Connection. One Transplant Community. Welcome to the Transplant Life Foundation Dedicated to championing the gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Since 2011, the Transplant Life Foundation has served as the nation’s leading advocacy organization for the donation and transplantation community, building a powerful nationwide movement for recipients, living donors, donor families, waiting candidates, caregivers, and medical professionals. Who We Are Our Mission Transplant Life Foundation unites the donation and transplant community to educate, inspire, and transform lives — advancing public understanding of transplantation and strengthening the national donor movement. Our Vision A future where donation and transplantation are widely valued, donor generosity is honored, and every individual touched by this community finds hope, resources, and connection. Make a Difference. Your gift powers life-saving advocacy, honors donor legacies, and helps athletes celebrate their second chance at life. Give Today
- TransplantNATION | TransplantLife
Now in its eighth year of publication, TransplantNATION magazine continues to provide not only news and information to the transplant community, but also hope and inspiration. Published six times a year, each 68-page issue features: Incredible Stories of Sacrifice & Hope: Human interest features relating powerful stories of courage and tenacity—from donors whose gifts gave others a chance for a healthy new beginning, to recipients anxious to show donor families what their gift truly means to them. Essential Health & Medical Insights: In-depth coverage on topics concerning transplant health, fitness, medicines, cutting-edge technology, and evolving healthcare policy at the forefront of a burgeoning medical field. National News & Connection: Comprehensive updates on news and happenings across the nation, keeping readers and families connected between the biennial Transplant Games of America. With almost 30,000 organ transplants, 50,000 corneal transplants, and hundreds of thousands of tissue transplants every year, our potential audience grows exponentially. TransplantNATION serves as a catalyst for improving the lines of communication, a vehicle for introducing new approaches to life, and a special place to spotlight the miracle of donation and transplantation. Subscribe to TransplantNATION today and help the Transplant Life Foundation focus awareness on the amazing medical advances of transplantation, highlight the critical need for organs, and grow state and national donor registries. Subscribe Today > Digital Subscriber Log-in > SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 Year Subscription (6 issues) - $36.00 2 Year Subscription (12 issues) - $60.00 3 Year Subscription (18 issues) - $75.00 INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 Year Subscription (6 issues) - $43.00 2 Year Subscription (12 issues) - $74.00 3 Year Subscription (18 issues) - $96.00 DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 2025 Starting in February readers will have the opportunity to purchase a digital subscription to TransplantNATION magazine! Enjoy the benefits: EASY account creation and subscription access QUICKER access to new issues compared to the print edition INTERACTIVE content exclusive to the digital edition ACCESS to prior issues of TransplantNATION Magazine SAVINGS! READ MORE on this exciting new development > DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE NOW! Digital subscription to TransplantNATION magazine are now available! Enjoy the benefits: EASY account creation and subscription access QUICKER access to new issues compared to the print edition INTERACTIVE content exclusive to the digital edition ACCESS to prior issues of TransplantNATION Magazine SAVINGS! If you would like to subscribe to TransplantNATION, please visit www.transplantnation.org
- Reflection Room Gallery | TransplantLife
Gallery of Loved Ones Pat Stahl Zion, IL Julia Pettis Caledonia, NY Patty Shaffer Elizabeth, IN Kenneth Sapp Auburn, NY Michelle Ryan Boca Grande, FL Bradley Wenneberg Chandler, AZ Rebecca Vogelsang Ada, MI Breanne Conterio Kansas City, MO Aric Brill Las Vegas, NV James Anthony Worley Glendora, CA Brayden Branley Salt Lake City, UT Blair Michaela Shanahan Lane Independence, MO Denton Miller Carrollton, MO Kevin Hartley Ashland City, TN Roberta LeMay Council Grove, KS Sandra Rowles Ridgeway, MO Amber Leigh Kaufmann Scott City, MO Andrew Lamb Woodruff, SC Bruce Dequan Garrison Jr. Newberry, SC Jacob Campbell Horseheads, NY Jordan Daus Chagrin Falls, OH Keshawn Brown Paterson, NJ Robert Somerville Jr. Marcellus, NY Charlotte Schrunk Jacksonville, AR Jason Kahekili McCollough Waianae, HI Chris Henry Cincinnati, OH Emily C. Lyons Beaver Dam, WI Ty Bray Cave Springs, GA Robbie Sisemore Farmington, AR Colin Cornett Salem, IN Mary Dunn Houston Kirkville, NY Benjamin Ellington Harvey Little Rock, AR Collin Conedy Las Vegas, NV Mary Ricketts Goodlettsville, TN Brian Wynne Milford, CT Rudy Molnar Pittsburgh, PA Sarah Jackson Saint Peters, MO Richard Scott Colomy Jr III Bensalem, PA Carissa Foushee Payneville, KY Anthony Tyler Hamilton Loretto, KY Savanna Dallessandro Bellmawr, NJ Phillip Malone Montpelier, OH Dominic Hooper Scott City, MO Julee Brinlee Oklahoma City, OK Sandy Pekrul Enid, OK Evan Kimball West Branch, MI Mason Ziegler McFarland, WI Kara Somers Dayton, OH Cameron Burleson Round Rock, TX Christopher Spitzer Merrimac, WI Michael Keith Fultz Sidney, OH Anand Persaud Clermont, FL Jay Miller Midvale, UT Jonathan Cottrell Morrisville, PA Michael Weadock Hot Springs, AR Cody Dunham Divernon, IL Melissa Ash Scio, OH Chris Wilson Newport, DE Kathleen Smith Perry, OH Carlos Rodriguez Chula Vista, CA Caleb Roch Champaign, IL Tyler Beckett Marietta, OH David Charles Starr Independence, MO Velma Gay Blythe, GA Mason Phillips Baltimore, MD Dylan Flew Norwalk, OH Edgelle Screws Waynesboro, GA Jacob Eyring Chapin, SC Melissa Owen Little Rock, AR Christopher Lee Ramsey Prairie du Sac, WI Betsy Niles Montclair, NJ Michael Samel Woodridge, IL Chad Radvansky Lugoff, SC Tom Frankel Rochester, MN Tom Kaiserauer Chicago, IL Victoria Wallace Mead, OK Zachary Flowers Zeeland, MI Micah Seth Rolfs Topeka, KS Antonio Bennett Gonzales, LA John Lipscomb V McDonough, GA Terri Appleman Canal Fulton, OH Edward T. Milbourne, Jr. Philadelphia, PA Elizabeth Clifford Matthews, NC Soon-Ae Jeon Pyle Dallas, GA David Benjamin Fetter Richmond, VA Rocky Trammell Rossville, GA Patrick Lee Miller Anderson, SC Matthew Lawry Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Jason Moody Leesville, LA Kris Haywood Macon, MS Adam Schwalenberg Hazel Green, WI Stephen May Belmont, MI Spencer Perkins Columbus, MS Michael McGuire Marine City, MI Thomas Doherty Birdsboro, PA Samuel McCrow Vancouver, WA Esther Elizabeth Daw Chesnee, SC Richard Wiese Greenleaf, WI Jamie Hale Grand Rapids, MI Heather Miller Triadelphia, WV Emilio Gonzales Jr. Plainview, TX Paul Beard Grand Rapids, MI Edward Atchison Havana, IL Julie Shepherd Jefferson City, MT William A. Keely IV Lafayette Hill, PA Mary Anthony Oak Ridge, TN Amber Robinson Wylie, TX Shannon Lee Miller Buffalo, NY Michael Nolan Kaleb "K-Bob McLaughlin Yonkers, NY Pioneer, OH Jakob Wheler Broadhead, WI Daniel Glover Stephen Hasbrouck Bergenfield, NJ Levittown, PA
- Pat Stahl | TransplantLife
Pat Stahl Zion, IL Team Illinois March 19, 1959 - December 30, 2015 Pat Stahl's Legacy Pat loved to tinker. He took apart a coffee table and put it back together when he was 6 years old. He received a kidney transplant in July of 2000. When he died of heart failure 15 years later, he gave his sight, skin, and tissue to help others.
- Julia Pettis | TransplantLife
Julia Pettis Caledonia, IL Team Finger Lakes September 19, 2000 - December 19, 2022 Julia’s Living Legacy: A Radiant Life of Heart, Hope, and Music Julia had a rare, vibrant energy that lit up every space she stepped into. She was a beautiful free spirit who was always down for anything—whether dancing, heading to music festivals, singing, or playing her guitar. Yet, she also carried a deep, serious devotion to the things that mattered to her. She loved to read, even forming a book club to share that passion with others, and at 22, she proudly celebrated her college graduation from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Psychology. Julia brought immense warmth to her family and friends, and she spent her life lifting others up—whether taking calls on a volunteer helpline, participating in campus awareness walks, or helping people rebuild their lives through her work. She was a wonderful daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and a true inspiration. Through her unselfish gift as an organ donor, the boundless hope, love, and melody Julia carried continue to shine brightly in this world. She will always be our greatest hero.
- Patty Shaffer | TransplantLife
Patty Shaffer Elizabeth, IN Team Indiana November 26, 1971 - October 09, 2016 Patty Shaffer' Legacy Patty was so much to so many. She was a mother of 3 amazing children, a daughter, an identical twin sister and a sister to 3 brothers, an aunt, a friend, a teacher, a coach, a mentor and so much more. Patty was our rock, our inspiration and our leader. She will be forever missed and remembered.
- Reflection Room | TransplantLife
Virtual Reflection Room The stories of courage and determination within the donation and transplantation community carry a depth of emotion best understood through experience. Presented by the Transplant Life Foundation , the Reflection Room at the Transplant Games of America offers a peaceful space for families to honor loved ones who passed away and granted the gift of life to others. Through a moving pictorial display of hundreds of selfless donors, it provides participants a quiet moment for reflection, memory, and gratitude. Our Virtual Reflection Room mirrors this sacred physical space online. It offers families a sincere, intimate place to create digital tributes, honor their loved ones' legacies, and cherish their enduring impact. If you would like to preserve the legacy of your loved one, please click the button below Create a Reflection If you would like to view the reflections, please click the button below to enter the Gallery of Loved Ones. Reflection Room
- Transplant Life Foundation Council | TransplantLife
Transplant Life Foundation Council The Transplant Life Foundation proudly serves as the nation's leading advocacy nonprofit for those in the field of donation and transplantation. As we look ahead, our bold, strategic plans will usher in new programming and expand our reach to unprecedented levels across all our initiatives. Increasing the number of organs available for transplant is our number one priority, and we intend to take that goal to every community and every demographic in this country. To continue our progress and to scale our initiatives effectively, we must invest in critical capacity-building measures. This includes leadership development, staff training, technology, programmatic infrastructure, and community outreach programs. We believe that with your support, we can extend our operational efficiency, strengthen existing programs, and create new and effective tools to meet our shared goals of increasing organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation. This is the beginning of a new and evolving platform for education, communication, and advocacy. This is where your support can make a transformative difference. Become a Member of the Council It is our hope that you will consider serving as a member of our Transplant Life Foundation Council. This Council will bring together a select group of leading organizations committed to serving the transplant and donation community. The council's meetings will help inform the strategic direction of the Transplant Life Foundation and our key programming. Council members will receive regular updates from the Foundation on our initiatives, and members will also have the exclusive opportunity to partner on programming and events. For more information and to join the Transplant Life Foundation Council, please contact: Bill Ryan President & CEO Transplant Life Foundation b.ryan@transplantlf.org (616) 356-2331 Trailblazers Visionaries Champions Supporters
- Become an Organ Donor | TransplantLife
BECOME A DONOR HERO Sign Up on the National Donate Life Registry Every registration serves as a sign of hope to the thousands awaiting a lifesaving transplant. While over 95% of Americans support organ donation, only about 60% are officially registered. You can bridge that gap in less than two minutes. Register Here Learn More Interested in Living Donation? Joining the National Donate Life Registry registers you for organ, eye, and tissue donation upon death. To learn about becoming a living donor for a kidney or a portion of a liver, visit the UNOS Living Donation Portal (linked below) or contact a local transplant center. Learn More The Impact: By the Numbers 100,000+ men, women, and children are currently on the national transplant waiting list. 85% of everyone on the national waiting list is waiting for a kidney. 1 Donor can save up to 8 lives and heal more than 75 people through tissue and cornea donation. 5,600 People in the U.S die each year while on the transplant waiting list. Every 8 Minutes another person is added to the waiting list. 13 People die every single day while waiting for an available organ. 1 Million Transplants The U.S. has transplanted over one million organs.
- E-Newsletter | TransplantLife
MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER First Friday of every month. Right to your inbox. Stay connected to the latest news, programs, and initiatives across the donation and transplant world. Delivered to your inbox on the first Friday of every month, our newsletter keeps you up to date on the Transplant Games of America, exclusive features from TransplantNATION magazine, upcoming events, and stories from across our community. Subscribe below to receive monthly updates directly to your inbox.
- https://www.transplantlifefoundation.org/ourwork
About the Transplant Life Foundation Founded in 2011, Transplant Life Foundation is the nation’s leading advocacy nonprofit dedicated to supporting every corner of the donation and transplantation community. We serve transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, individuals on the waiting list, caregivers, transplant professionals, and supporters across the United States and internationally. Working alongside partners like the American Society of Transplantation, Donate Life America, organ procurement organizations, and over 250 transplant centers, we build connection, awareness, and life-saving support. View Our Inititatives Our Why The transplant journey does not end when a surgery is complete or a gift is given; it is a lifelong path. Behind every statistic is a human story: a family waiting for a second chance, a donor family seeking solace in a selfless gift, a recipient navigating life post-transplant, or a living donor making extraordinary sacrifices. We exist because no one should walk this journey alone. We believe that by creating spaces where courage is celebrated, knowledge is shared, and connections are made, we transform hope into lasting community. Every initiative we launch and every story we share is driven by a single purpose: to honor the gift of life and empower the extraordinary people who sustain it. Who We Serve Organ, eye, and tissue donation creates a deeply connected network of individuals bound by courage, hope, and generosity. We serve every voice in this movement—turning personal experiences into collective strength and nationwide advocacy. Transplant Recipients Recipients represent the remarkable triumph of transplantation, overcoming life-threatening medical issues to embrace a second chance. Yet, this new beginning brings lifelong health management, emotional processing, and lifestyle adjustments. The Transplant Life Foundation supports recipients by offering vital resources to navigate post-transplant trends, medical updates, and wellness through TransplantNATION magazine. Through the Transplant Games of America, we give recipients a national stage to celebrate health, honor their donors, compete in athletic events, and build lifelong bonds with peers who understand their journey. Donor Families Donor families make the ultimate decision in moments of profound loss, leaving a selfless legacy of life that lives on through others. The Transplant Life Foundation provides solace, recognition, and healing spaces where families can honor their loved ones. Through dedicated programming at the Transplant Games and feature stories in TransplantNATION magazine, we keep donor legacies alive. We uplift donor families by connecting them with grateful recipients, ensuring they know their loved one’s gift will be celebrated forever. Living Donors Living donors demonstrate extraordinary generosity by stepping forward to give the gift of health to another. The Transplant Life Foundation celebrates, recognizes, and advocates for living organ and tissue donors across the country. We uplift living donors through specialized athletic competitions and national recognition events at the Transplant Games of America, while sharing inspiring donor journeys in TransplantNATION magazine. By connecting living donors with a broader support network, we elevate their voices to advocate for legislative protections and inspire new donors nationwide. Future Recipients & Those Awaiting Transplant For the more than 100,000 individuals on waiting lists and hundreds of thousands undergoing dialysis or medical care, waiting for an organ, eye, or tissue transplant can feel overwhelming. The Transplant Life Foundation serves as a vital bridge of hope and information. We support future recipients by providing accessible educational content on medical advances and wellness strategies through TransplantNATION . Moreover, seeing thousands of thriving recipients at the Transplant Games offers tangible proof that a vibrant, active second chance is waiting on the other side. Caregivers Behind every transplant journey stand caregivers: family members, partners, and friends whose devotion provides daily strength, coordination, and care. The Transplant Life Foundation recognizes that caregivers face their own unique physical and emotional demands. We uplift caregivers by offering dedicated community networks and educational guidance in TransplantNATION . Caregivers find validation, relief, and a supportive community that reminds them they never have to carry the weight alone. Supporters Friends, family members, corporate partners, volunteers, and advocates form the heart of our national movement. Driven by love and dedication, supporters raise vital awareness, champion state and national donor registries, and fund life-changing initiatives. The Transplant Life Foundation connects supporters through volunteer opportunities at the Transplant Games of America, community fundraising tools, and advocacy campaigns. We give supporters the platform to turn personal connection into active national advocacy that elevates organ, eye, and tissue donation nationwide. Professionals Transplant surgeons, nurses, social workers, OPO coordinators, and donation specialists work in high-stakes environments where loss of life transforms into second chances. The Transplant Life Foundation works alongside leading medical societies and procurement organizations to highlight and celebrate these frontline healthcare heroes. Through recognition and partnership at the Transplant Games, collaborative advocacy coalitions, and featured professional insights in TransplantNATION , we honor their dedication, amplify their research, and foster deep connections across the medical community. The Transplant Community HUB works as a central online space to connect, support, and empower all of these groups year-round. Learn More

