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

The Gift of Time: How Organ Donation Gave a Man a Second Chance

Family and laughter have always been at the heart of Ron Holton’s life. That life was abruptly put on hold in early 2016, when an illness forced him to confront a reality he never imagined—his liver was failing and his future was uncertain. “My doctor told me that I had a fatty liver. He didn't seem concerned so neither was I. In late 2017 I was diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the liver,” says Ron. “I got very sick very fast. I saw my primary care physician, and he gave me 30 days to live. Luckily for me he was wrong.”

“I began my journey to a liver transplant at Baylor Dallas,” recalls Ron. “It took eight months for me to be placed on the transplant waiting list. I must share that those were the worst eight months of my life. Labs were drawn weekly and mine were horrible. I probably had at least a dozen blood transfusions as well as frozen plasma. I was in and out of the hospital for a total of 25 days. At one point. I lost my ability to walk, and I had to learn how to walk again - not fun. August 15, 2018 was the day I was finally added to the waiting list. You're told it could be up to a year as you're at the end of the line.”

“Twenty one days later I received the call that they had a liver for me,” shares Ron. “On September 6, 2018 the Baylor All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth was struck by lightning. Due to the circumstances at the time, the surgeon packed the liver on ice and drove it to Baylor Dallas where I received my transplant.”

Today, Ron carries deep gratitude for his donor and the donor’s family, recognizing that their choice forever changed his life. “Nearly eight years later, I'm doing fantastic,” he shares. “Family support is a crucial part in getting through the transplant process. I couldn't have gone through the process without my son and daughter.”

MyChart Makes Donor Registration More Accessible

Donate Life America and Epic have partnered to make organ, eye and tissue donor registration more convenient by bringing the opportunity directly to the MyChart patient portal. Since May 2025, more than 310,000 individuals have registered as donors through MyChart and added their decisions to the National Donate Life Registry.

When patients register through MyChart, their donor designation is securely recorded in the National Donate Life Registry and remains recognized nationwide. This means their decision to give the gift of life can be honored regardless of where they live in the United States.

Approximately half of all MyChart hospital systems currently offer this registration feature. Patients age 18 and older can easily document their donor decision through MyChart using a desktop computer or smartphone.

This collaboration between Donate Life America and Epic is helping expand access to donor registration by meeting patients where they already manage their healthcare. To learn more about the initiative, visit DonateLife.net.

LifeGift Helps to Ignite Hope at AMAT's 34th Annual Conference!

LifeGift made a strong impact at the 34th Annual Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT) Conference, a premier gathering of medical professionals, researchers and transplant experts. The event highlighted LifeGift’s commitment to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation while celebrating the diversity that strengthens the field of transplantation.

Presenters included LifeGift’s Woodlhey Ambroise, MSHA, MBA, RRT, RCP, CPTC, senior director of organ operations and surgical recovery; Shante’ Ladson, MHA, senior director of donation systems, Sergio Ibarra, MD, senior director of organ clinical operations, SE; Erica Ward, family engagement trainer and Breanna Garcia, community engagement specialist.”

“Being part of a multicultural community that fosters inclusiveness in the transplant mission is a humbling experience,” shares Ambroise. “Centered on the theme ‘Igniting Hope: Uniting Voices for a Stronger Donation and Transplantation Future,’ the conference brought together donation and transplantation professionals to explore hospital engagement, donor advocacy, community education, workplace culture, policy, ethics and innovation. Participants shared practical strategies to strengthen public trust, elevate diverse voices and turn collaboration into action.” Ambroise serves as the current AMAT president.

LifeGift’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing transplantation through education, collaboration and a focus on diverse communities, all in service of saving and healing lives.

Smilin’ Rylen Foundation Honors Legacy Through Donation Advocacy

Earlier in the year, the Smilin’ Rylen Foundation hosted its annual Smilin’ Rylen Run, honoring the memory of young donor Rylen Quinn Cowan, whose joyful spirit earned him the nickname “Smilin’ Rylen.” The Foundation continues to carry his legacy forward by raising awareness about organ donation and supporting families in need.

On Saturday, September 19, during LifeGift’s 2nd Chance Run, Kristen and Travis Cowan of the Smilin’ Rylen Foundation presented a $10,000 donation to LifeGift president and CEO, Kevin Myer.

“We were thrilled to be part of LifeGift’s 2nd Chance Run,” says Cowan. “It was wonderful to connect with the community and share our mission. Presenting a $10,000 check, which concluded our 9th Annual Run, was such a meaningful moment. We invite everyone to join us for the 10th Annual Smilin’ Rylen Run on April 24, 2027, to continue raising awareness about the power of donation.”

Myer expressed his appreciation, sharing, “The generosity of the Smilin’ Rylen Foundation makes a real difference. This contribution helps us further our mission of promoting organ, eye and tissue donation and inspiring more people to register as donors.”

For more information about the Smilin’ Rylen Foundation, 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 Amarillo, Fort Worth, Houston and Lubbock. Please email us at communications@lifegift.org with any questions or support needs!