LifeGift Feel Good Fridays

LifeGift Team Member Spotlight: Ahmad Blanton, Donation Recovery Specialist

LifeGift is honored to fulfill the decision of people in our community to save lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. LifeGift donation recovery specialist Ahmad Blanton is responsible for providing operating room staff with updates on active cases and answering questions they may have regarding the donation process. He assists with the anatomical dissection and placement of kidneys on a preservation pump and monitors kidney infusion. Ahmad also facilitates organ recovery in the operating room including the logistics for organ packaging and organ perfusion and preservation.

Ahmad has worked with LifeGift for more than a year, supporting hospital partners in the operating room providing education in anatomy, organ perfusion and recovery techniques to ensure the recovery process goes smoothly. Ahmad’s temperament and knowledge of the organ recovery process is important to hospital staff. He and the team are responsible for carrying out family's wishes during the operating room process.

“It was divine intervention which led me to LifeGift. I believe nothing is coincidental, only ordered steps in our lives,” shares Ahmad. “LifeGift was a career transition for me with a focus on the first four letters of the word career - CARE. I've worked in the fields of cardiovascular research, education, as well as a mortician, working on understanding how the body responds to certain stimuli, educating our youth, arranging and conducting funeral services and now working with LifeGift which is improving the quality-of-life for others through organ donation.”

Ahmad adds that he feels attached to the mission of LifeGift. “Being a part of the LifeGift family has allowed me to see organ recipients receive their gifts of life up close and personal, especially during kidney procedures. This position has increased my level of humbleness and provided me with a better understanding of the importance of health and wellness.”

Donor Mom Meets her Daughter’s Double Lung Recipient for the First Time

At this past weekend's Fort Worth 2^nd Chance Run, LifeGift was privileged to witness an emotional first-time meeting between donor mother Felicia Reagan and her daughter Kyana’s double lung recipient, Jade, joined by her mother Jan Stepps.

Shared Felicia about this visit, “Jade was such an appreciative, caring, sweet little girl...when I asked her if she wanted to say something for my video – she said: “Thanks Kyana for her lungs and being a donor and giving her a 2^nd chance at life.”

To read more about these special families and LifeGift’s Fort Worth 2nd Chance Run, please click here.

Donate Life Texas' Flag Raising Event Unites Texans to Honor Organ, Eye and Tissue Donors

Donate Life Texas recently held its annual Department of Public Safety (DPS) Flag Raising ceremony at the Texas DPS Driver License Office, located at the Houston Southeast Mega Center. The ceremony honored the selfless donors, their families, the courageous recipients and the unwavering support provided by the DPS Texas Driver License staff to the Glenda Dawson Donor Registry.

One of the highlights of the event was a touching speech by Leslie Meigs-Torres, LifeGift community engagement specialist. Leslie's presence added a personal touch to the event as she shared her own journey of receiving a life-saving kidney transplant. Her story resonated deeply with the audience, emphasizing the significance of organ donation in saving and transforming lives.

Immediately following the ceremony, a Stop & Swipe Donor Registration Drive-Thru convened. This initiative allowed attendees to take action and register as donors, highlighting the critical need for more individuals to join the Glenda Dawson Donor Registry. Donate Life Texas’ Flag Raising event provided a platform for the community to pledge their support for donation and potentially become life-saving heroes for those in need.

Lone Star Circle of Life's Bike Tour: Pedaling for a Purpose

The Lone Star Circle of Life recently concluded its annual Bike Tour which was held October 6^th through October 12^th. This event which kicked off in Dallas, Texas stopped in several other cities before concluding in Tyler, Texas. The week-long journey not only covered miles of Texas terrain but also miles towards the organization's mission of saving lives through education and advocacy.

LifeGift Ambassador of Hope volunteer Veronica Jones was in Huntsville, Texas to support the Bike Tour and help share the important message of donation. Honoree's stories were shared to inspire others to consider donor registration. LifeGift's community engagement specialist Leslie Meigs-Torres was recognized at the event by cyclist Todd Monsen who rode in her honor.

This annual event is not just about conquering miles on a bike; it's about conquering the barriers that prevent potential donors from stepping forward. As the Lone Star Circle of Life continues its mission, the Bike Tour stands as a symbol of hope, unity and the life-saving potential that resides in each of us.

Hospital in the News: Northwest Texas Healthcare System Achieves Level II Trauma Center Status

Northwest Texas Healthcare System in Amarillo, Texas has achieved a significant milestone by recently being verified as a Level II Trauma Center marking a crucial step in enhancing emergency medical services for the community. This verification comes after rigorous assessments by the American College of Surgeons, recognizing Northwest Texas Healthcare System's commitment to providing top-tier trauma care to residents in the Texas Panhandle region and beyond. The achievement reinforces the hospital's dedication to the highest standards of patient care and safety.

LifeGift aims to leverage the hospital's new trauma center status to raise awareness about organ donation and facilitate increased transplantation opportunities within the community. Organ donation plays a vital role in saving lives and offering hope to individuals in dire need of life-saving transplants. By working together, LifeGift and Northwest Texas Healthcare System seek to provide a ray of hope for patients awaiting organ transplants and their families.

“Our concerted efforts will not only create more opportunities for patients to become organ donors but also ensure that organs are efficiently matched with those in need,” shares Barbara VerWey, LifeGift donation systems specialist. "Our partnership drives growth in hospital donation program outcomes."

Northwest Texas Healthcare System's achievement of Level II Trauma Center status marks a pivotal moment in the region's healthcare landscape. Their collaboration with LifeGift to promote organ donation and transplantation reflects their commitment to improving the lives of the community they serve. With this partnership, hope shines brighter for those awaiting life-saving organ transplants, reaffirming the hospital's mission to provide the highest quality care and support to all.

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 [email protected] with any questions or support needs!