Lifegift Vital Volunteers Start “Organ Donor Hall of Fame”

Source: Houston Style Magazine

Like many donor families, Michael and Sheree Jones of Katy, Texas have found comfort in promoting organ and tissue donation. After their only son, Chad, died tragically in 2009 and became an organ donor, they founded Donate 4 Life, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that raises awareness of the dire need for organ, eye and tissue donors across the country.

Recently, the Joneses decided to take Donate 4 Life to another level with the creation of an “Organ Donor Hall of Fame.”

The exhibit will provide a view into the lives of those who have made the generous decision to donate life through the gift of organ and tissue donation. By reading the inspirational stories and seeing pictures of everyday real heroes, the Joneses hope that the display will ignite dialogue between family members on the importance of registering as donors as well as create awareness of the critical need for transplantable organs across the country.

“We created the hall of fame to honor the legacy of our son Chad and that of every donor who gave the gift of life,” said Sheree Jones. “Although our son never had the opportunity to be inducted into any hall of fame for during his time on earth, this will allow him to touch the world in another way.”

Nationally, there are more than 110,000 men, women and children waiting for a lifesaving transplant. In Texas alone, there are nearly 11,000. Texas, although one of the most populous states in the country, continues to lag significantly behind other states when it comes to the number of registered organ and tissue donors.

Honoring your loved one’s legacy is free and easy to do. To nominate your hero into the Organ Donor Hall of Fame, please visit www.donate4life.com to complete the nomination form. You many nominate someone if you are a family member, living donor, or an organ recipient thanking your donor. The Hall of Fame is open to all donors, across the United States and internationally.

For more information about LifeGift, visit www.lifegift.org . For more information about the Organ Donor Hall of Fame and Donate4 Life, visit www.donate4life.com .