LifeGift Feel Good Fridays

LifeGift Team Member Spotlight: Melinda Runk, Manager of Health Informatics

LifeGift is committed to saving and healing lives through donation and transplantation, championing the cause through education and outreach and supporting families of donors in their time of need. Melinda Runk LifeGift Manager of Health Informatics is responsible for supporting the identification of opportunities to serve our mission effectively and efficiently through health care data. She provides administrative and logistical support for projects related to health data analytics, informatics, health information exchange and health information technology.

Melinda has worked with LifeGift for nearly a year and supports hospital personnel, LifeGift colleagues and other stakeholders in the donation and transplantation process by offering objective views of data related to donation processes and performance. This contributes to great collaboration internally as well as with our hospital partners as we work together to support our mission and save lives.

Prior to joining LifeGift, Melinda worked in several different positions at We Are Sharing Hope, SC. “I started as a donor coordinator, was promoted to the communications center quality coordinator and then finally moved to the role of data analytics specialist. I also was a tissue administrator on call during my tenure,” shares Melinda. “Through this experience, I gained valuable insights into the complexities of the healthcare system and the critical importance of efficient organ allocation.”

Melinda says working at LifeGift has deeply influenced her life in profound ways. “I feel so fortunate to have found a home at LifeGift. Every day, I find encouragement in the mission-focused and supportive nature that defines our culture. It’s an honor to work in such a fulfilling and meaningful role.”

2024 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 (Southeast), Carter BloodCare (North) and Vitalant Blood Donation (West) Texas.

3. Adopt an animal

This is one way to give that will give you unconditional love in return. Pet finder 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. A child can blossom when it has 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 the country are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. You will have an opportunity to give life to another person 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 2024?

LifeGift Presents at the Association of Jamaican Nurses of Greater Houston Event

On Saturday, January 13^th, the Association of Jamaican Nurses of Greater Houston hosted their “You Are Never Too Old to be an Organ Donor” webinar. The Association of Jamaican Nurses of Greater Houston is a non-profit corporation whose specific purpose is to motivate and mentor Jamaican nurses as well as educating and pursuing methods that will improve the health of greater Houston and the Jamaican community stateside and abroad.

LifeGift’s Schawnte’ Williams-Taylor, MBA, MS, RN, CCRN, CCTC, vice president of family engagement and donation services and John Hollmon, pastor of The Fellowship of Redeeming Truth Church, were invited to shed light on LifeGift’s organ and tissue donation programs. Williams-Taylor also talks about some of the more popular myths and misconceptions regarding organ donation. Hollmon shares details about his kidney transplant surgery and personal journey.

Changing Lives Forever Through Volunteerism

LifeGift volunteer opportunities are a meaningful way of giving your time to help those in need. LifeGift Ambassadors of Hope (AOH) volunteers are the heart and soul of our community outreach program. Our Ambassadors share their donation and recipient transplantation stories to inspire hope in our communities. We are proud to have nurses, physicians and other hospital team members as vital volunteers in all three of our regions.

Join the Ambassadors of Hope

The AOH volunteer program enables us to share our messages of hope in the communities we serve. Compassionate, passionate and professional, our Ambassadors tell their personal stories through speaking engagements, community events and the news media. The AOH program is an outlet for recipients to share their transplant journey.

LifeGift’s volunteer program also offers healing for donor families as they recover from loss and share with others how their loved ones provided another chance at life. Our volunteer program also provides a way for healthcare professionals, students and others to promote donation within their own circles of influence.

Interested in becoming an Ambassador?

It’s simple to join the team! Register to be an AOH volunteer through our online form below. You’ll then complete a new volunteer orientation, interview and background check.

If you’re interested in signing up to be an Ambassador of Hope and changing lives forever, please 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 Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock and Amarillo. Please email us at communications@lifegift.org with any questions or support needs!