LifeGift Feel Good Fridays: How Medical Examiners, Justices of the Peace and LifeGift Help Save Lives

LifeGift Team Member Spotlight: Lisa Banner, Family Engagement Specialist

At LifeGift, we honor the selfless act of donation that brings hope to others and remain committed to supporting donor families every step of the way. Lisa Banner, a LifeGift family engagement specialist, serves as an advocate for potential donor families by providing compassionate support and clear information about organ, eye and tissue donation opportunities. She maintains close, ongoing communication with healthcare teams to help develop collaborative and thoughtful plans for donation conversations.

With more than five years at LifeGift, Lisa supports not only donor families but also healthcare professionals and fellow LifeGift team members throughout the donation and transplantation process. Open communication ensures healthcare teams feel heard and supported, while compassion and acknowledgment of the challenges inherent in this work help build trust and reduce stress for everyone involved.

Before joining LifeGift, Lisa worked as a pediatric hematology and oncology registered nurse. “I had the privilege of caring for young patients and their families throughout their cancer journeys,” Lisa shares. “When I transitioned from bedside nursing to a hospital development role at another organ procurement organization, I witnessed the profound impact family care specialists had. That experience revealed my true passion—supporting families on one of the hardest days of their lives and helping them find hope by seeing how their loved one’s legacy could live on through the selfless gift of donation.”

“My work at LifeGift has only strengthened my desire to share the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation,” Lisa adds. “I hope to inspire others to register and offer the gift of life.”

Partners in Purpose: How Medical Examiners, Justices of the Peace and LifeGift Help Save Lives

Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week recognized January 25–31, honors the vital work of medical examiners and justices of the peace. These dedicated forensic professionals are responsible for determining causes of death, often during sudden or unexpected losses. Their role is also critical to the organ, eye and tissue donation process, as they work closely with LifeGift to ensure donor wishes are honored and families are supported—helping preserve the opportunity for donation when timing and coordination matter most.

LifeGift works hand in hand with medical examiners and justices of the peace to balance legal responsibilities with the possibility of donation. Through clear communication and mutual respect, investigations can proceed while donation decisions are thoughtfully considered. “Medical examiners and justices of the peace are indispensable partners in our mission to save lives,” shares Meg Parks, LifeGift manager of donation services relations. “Their collaboration helps ensure the opportunity for donation is preserved while maintaining the integrity of their work.”

Ongoing education and shared expertise further strengthen these partnerships. LifeGift team members are trained to identify potential donors and navigate medical and legal requirements, while medical examiners and justices of the peace provide essential guidance to ensure donation aligns with forensic protocols. Together, they help transform loss into hope—creating life-saving opportunities for patients awaiting transplants and underscoring the powerful impact of collaboration during this important week of recognition.

Amarillo High School SODA Chapter Wins Texas Campus Challenge Award

The SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates chapter at Amarillo High School in Amarillo, Texas has been selected as the 2025 recipient of SODA's Texas Campus Challenge Award. Competing against nearly a dozen SODA chapters across the state, the team—located within LifeGift's service region—achieved the highest point total in Texas. Their exceptional enthusiasm, leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing education on organ, eye and tissue donation set them apart as the state's top-performing SODA chapter this year.

The award reflects a year of exceptional impact for SODA nationwide. In 2025, SODA expanded to more than 130 chapters. Students educated more than 108,000 people about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation and helped register 4,753 new donors on campuses across the country. Through strengthened partnerships, SODA also equipped students with enhanced training, resources and confidence to lead meaningful donation advocacy efforts.

As the winning Texas SODA chapter, Amarillo High School will receive a grand-sized Sugarwish snack box, a trophy from SODA National and a plaque from Donate Life Texas, the award sponsor. These honors recognize the chapter’s outstanding commitment to peer education, community outreach and donor registration efforts throughout the challenge.

“I’m incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by these outstanding students,” shares Barbara VerWey, LifeGift community engagement specialist. “They have effectively leveraged their leadership and organizational skills to establish and sustain their chapter, while consistently educating their peers about donation through multiple events held both on and off campus. I look forward to seeing what 2026 brings for these talented young leaders!”

2026 Bucket List: Giving Back

Giving has been shown to increase happiness, teach you about gratitude and provide assistance to others in need. Here are five ways to give back and add to your bucket list:

1. Grow your locks and donate them

Locks of Love will use your hair to create hairpieces for underprivileged children who are suffering from any medical condition. According to their guidelines, hair must be at least 10″ long and cut in a ponytail or braid.

2. Give blood

Even though donating one pint of blood can save up to 3 lives, only 3 out of every 100 Americans donate. This is one of the ways to give that will save lives. For more information, locate your closest donation location: Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (Houston), Carter BloodCare (Fort Worth), Coffee Memorial Blood Center (Amarillo) and Vitalant Blood Donation (Lubbock ).

3. Adopt an animal

This is one way to give that will give you unconditional love in return. Petfinder allows you to search through hundreds of adoptable animals so you can find the perfect addition to your family.

4. Mentor a child

Mentoring a child is a chance to make a difference that will last a lifetime. Children can blossom when they have a caring adult to discuss all matters of their lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a fantastic organization that helps children realize their potential and build their futures.

5. Be an organ, eye and tissue donor

Thousands of people in our country are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. You will have an opportunity to give life to others by taking the time to register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. Sign up today at Donate Life Texas.

How many of these ways to give will you check off your bucket list in 2026?

Donate Life Float at the Rose Parade Honors Dozens of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donors and Recipients

In case you missed it, here’s a picture of the Donate Life float in all of its beautiful glory during the Rose Parade! It’s always such an inspiring and meaningful way to kick off a new year, honoring all those that have given a second chance at life through donation. Did you watch the parade?

Celebrating Life and Resilience: The 2026 Transplant Games of America

The 2026 Transplant Games of America will celebrate the power of organ transplantation and the resilience of the human spirit when the biennial event comes to Denver, Colo., from June 18–23. Athletes, donors and supporters from across the country will gather to showcase strength, determination and athleticism through a wide range of competitive events that honor life after transplantation.

The Transplant Games bring together transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, individuals on the waiting list, caregivers and transplant professionals to recognize the life-changing impact of donation. Beyond competition, the Games foster connection and community, offering a supportive space to share experiences, inspire hope and raise awareness about the continued need for organ donors.

The weeklong event will feature thousands of athletes competing in 20 athletic competitions and more than 60 special events, alongside international guest teams and more than 40 domestic teams. Sports include basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, pickleball, swimming, track and field, volleyball and more. The Games stand as a powerful reminder of what is possible through donation and transplantation. To learn more, click here.

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!