LifeGift Feel Good Fridays: Because of You, Hope Lives On

The Gift of Time: How Organ Donation Changed a Life

Born in Germany in 1979, Inka Nisinbaum was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a young child and given a life expectancy of just four years. Determined to help her daughter, her father developed his own approach to lung treatment through running. Inka began running 5Ks with him and later joined a track and field team. She remained relatively healthy until age 23, when her liver began failing and her lung function declined. Doctors determined that a double lung and liver transplant was her only chance to survive.

In 2001, Nisinbaum joined the transplant waiting list at a time when only five combined lung and liver transplants had been performed in Europe. “The odds were daunting, but my choice was to try or die. It was an easy decision,” she recalls.

On December 28, 2002, Nisinbaum received her life-saving double lung and liver transplant. The gifts allowed her to live a full, healthy life, pursue her career and, on December 5, 2013, give birth to her son at UT Southwestern in Dallas. She became the first woman in the world to give birth after receiving a double lung and liver transplant. “My donor not only saved my life but also made it possible for the next generation!” she shares.

Today, Nisinbaum remains deeply grateful to her donor and the donor’s family. She encourages others to consider organ donation and share their decisions with loved ones. “If my story can help someone understand how many lives can be saved by saying yes, then my message has been heard.” She recently published her memoir, The Anomaly: Living off Donated Organs and Dark Humor, which shares her remarkable journey.

LifeGift and Texas Partners
Celebrate the Gift of Sight

Each November, Eye Donation Month raises awareness of the life-changing power of corneal donation and transplantation. LifeGift, alongside Texas partners such as Precision Ocular Network, helps educate communities about eye donation, recognize the generosity of donors and their families, and celebrate recipients whose sight has been restored through transplantation.

“The gift of sight begins with the generosity of someone who makes the decision to become a donor,” says Ingrid Schunder, CEO of Precision Ocular Network. “Sharing the stories of donors, their families and those whose sight has been restored helps our communities understand the extraordinary impact of eye donation and the legacy that gift can leave behind. We hope more people will be inspired to register as organ, eye and tissue donors, share their decision with their loved ones and let vision be their legacy. Together, we can help make the gift of sight possible for more people in our communities.”

The need for awareness remains significant. According to the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), U.S. eye banks supplied 86,261 corneas for transplantation in 2025. Since 1961, EBAA member eye banks have provided tissue for more than 2.5 million sight-restoring corneal transplants. Through continued education and storytelling, LifeGift and its partners encourage Texans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and discuss their decision with loved ones. Every donation represents an opportunity to restore sight, renew independence and offer hope.

Sources:

Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). 2025 Eye Banking Statistical Report. Data for calendar year 2025.

EBAA. Frequently Asked Questions about Eye Banking, Corneas and Transplantation.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fast Facts: Vision Loss. May 15, 2024.

National Donor Sabbath:
A Symbol of Hope for Those Who are Waiting

National Donor Sabbath is observed annually two weekends before Thanksgiving, from Friday through Sunday. This year, National Donor Sabbath will be observed November 13 - 15. This three-day observance seeks to include the days of worship for major religions practiced in the United States.

During National Donor Sabbath, faith leaders from many religions, donor families, transplant recipients and donation and transplantation professionals participate in services and programs to educate the public about the need for the life-saving and healing gifts passed to others through transplantation, while also encouraging people to register their decision to be an organ, tissue and eye donor.

Why National Donor Sabbath?

Today, all major faith communities are supportive of organ donation and the individual choices of their members. Many view donation as an act of compassion and generosity. As people often turn to their faith leaders for help when dealing with life and death issues, National Donor Sabbath provides an opportunity for faith communities to share their views and join in the conversation.

How Can Your Faith Community Get Involved?

Faith communities and individuals wishing to plan National Donor Sabbath events can contact communications@lifegift.org for additional information and support.

LifeGift Sponsors Morales Memorial Foundation’s Death by Chocolate:
A Celebration of Life, Legacy and Community

The Morales Memorial Foundation hosted its 12th Annual Death by Chocolate fundraising event, bringing together Houston’s donor community and organizations dedicated to making a difference. The lively evening combined decadent desserts, colorful décor and meaningful tributes to honor the spirit of Día de los Muertos—a cherished tradition celebrating remembrance, community and renewal.

LifeGift was proud to support the organization as a La Rosa sponsor for this year’s event. The foundation’s continued efforts provide essential support to local initiatives, including Nuestra Palabra and The Hispanic Health Coalition, helping to strengthen Houston’s network of compassion and care.

Hannah Jarvis, MD, deputy chief medical examiner, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences; LifeGift’s Michelle Gilbert, VP of donation communication services; Manuel Calderon, director of LIFT; Meg Parks, manager of donation services relations; Carmen Parks; Ric Peres, manager of family engagement, southeast; Jayme Peres; Steve Stasny, public relations specialist; Claudia Habib, events & multicultural outreach specialist and Sandra Trevino-Carrion, SR compensation & benefits analyst, attended the annual event.

“Raising awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation starts with connecting with our communities and building meaningful partnerships,” shares Parks. “Through our collaboration with the Morales Memorial Foundation, we’re bringing people together around a shared purpose—offering hope, saving lives and making a lasting difference in the communities we serve.”

LifeGift looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Morales Memorial Foundation to honor donors, celebrate their legacies and bring hope to those waiting for a second chance at life. To view photo gallery, click here.

DLA’S Annual Conference:
Investing in Hope. Inspiring Action.

The Donate Life America (DLA) Annual Conference brought together hundreds of professionals and advocates from across the nation in Philadelphia, Pa., from October 19–21. The event served as a hub for collaboration among organ procurement organizations, hospitals, transplant centers, eye banks and tissue processors. Attendees shared best practices, explored innovative strategies and strengthened partnerships to advance the mission of saving and healing lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.

LifeGift’s Woodlhey Ambroise, MSHA, MBA, RRT, RCP, CPTC, senior director of organ operations and surgical recovery and co-chair of LifeGift’s Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC), presented at the conference.

LifeGift appreciates DLA for selecting the organization to highlight the significant life-extending benefits of organ transplants while honoring the donor families whose loved ones have saved and healed lives through donation.

LifeGift Team Members Celebrate Life, Love and Remembrance at Día de los Muertos Event

LifeGift team members gathered at the Houston campus on October 27th to celebrate Día de los Muertos, a cultural tradition honoring loved ones who have passed away. The observance offered an opportunity to reflect on the lasting connections we share and the memories we cherish.

Attendees learned about the tradition’s history and symbolism, including the colorful altar, or ofrenda. LifeGift team members Normandy Esponilla, Claudia Habib, Chassidity McDonald and Veronica Tovar also shared a musical tribute to loved ones.

Traditional treats included pan de muerto, a sweet bread associated with the observance, and café de olla, Mexican coffee sweetened with piloncillo. Team members also brought framed photos of loved ones to display on the ofrenda and reflected on the question, “How do you remember your loved one?”

The gathering created a welcoming space to share memories, celebrate lives and recognize the enduring bonds that connect us. Through this celebration, team members embraced compassion, remembrance and the power of human connection.

LifeGift is proud to collaborate with our hospital and transplant center partners to advance organ, eye and tissue donation, bringing hope to the communities we serve in Amarillo, Fort Worth, Houston and Lubbock. Please email us at communications@lifegift.org with any questions or support needs!