This fall, hundreds of Gift of Life’s volunteers and supporters walked and ran up and down the East Coast of the United States, raising awareness and over $100,000 at three Walk for Life events. The 5K Walks, held at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY, Saddle River County Park in Paramus, NJ and Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC featured new donor swabbing stations, raffles, giveaways and joyous donor-recipient introductions.
Funds raised through the Walk for Life go directly towards underwriting the costs associated with adding new donors to the worldwide registry. The more donors there are on the registry, the better the chances are that patients who need transplants to survive life-threatening illnesses will find their miracle matches! Becoming a donor is easy, requiring just a swab of cells from inside the cheek. The cost to process each donor registration, including lab fees, is $60.
The NY Walk, held on September 14th, got off to a touching start when Leon, a transplant survivor, was introduced to his blood stem cell donor, Dovid for the very first time before an excited crowd. One of the first things Leon asked his hero, Dovid, was why he decided to donate. Dovid answered simply, “Because it’s a mitzvah (a good deed).” Leon said, “It is one thing to donate organs after you are gone but to give a chance of life to total strangers while you are still alive is truly remarkable.” He was also grateful to Gift of Life, saying, “The work that they do and the support they give to family and friends of people who need a transplant is truly a blessing. Without them, I, and many others like me, would not have a chance of survival.” Brian Hagler, who recently celebrated the ten year anniversary of his own life-saving transplant, was thrilled to make the special introduction. His team of family and friends joined him at the Walk and raised over $15,000 in his honor!
The next Walk for Life, held on October 26th in New Jersey, also featured a donor-recipient meeting. Neil Dicker, himself the recipient of a transplant five years ago, who now serves as a Gift of Life Ambassador, had the honor of making the introduction. He said, “Having experienced a second chance at life, my time on this earth has changed forever. My heart is opened up to people in ways which I never believed was possible and I hold each day as the most special day.” He was thrilled to kick off the Walk by introducing transplant survivor, Gary to his hero, Jordan for the first time onstage. When Gary, who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, learned he would need a transplant, he was warned that the search for a matching donor might take some time because of his Jewish heritage. He was thrilled when an incredible five matches were identified in the first 24 hours, thanks in large part to Gift of Life’s targeted recruitment strategy! The meeting put closure to a very long yet meaningful chapter for both Gary and Jordan, who went on to enjoy a wonderful day together.
The November 9th Walk in Washington, DC featured an emotional meeting between Jen and her special donor, Aaron. Thanks to Aaron and the transplant, Jen has been able to spend time with her husband and two young sons, celebrating birthdays, holidays, first days of school and all the little things in life. She had high hopes that the meeting would mark the beginning of a special friendship with the man she considers to be not only her hero, but part of her family. Aaron felt equally honored, saying that he was in awe of her strength and resilience. Billy Begal, who serves as Chairman of Gift of Life’s Board of Directors, was on hand to make the introduction.
Gift of Life will continue to hold Walk for Life events in locations throughout the United States. You can join the fun and help raise funds for donor testing in a city near you! The next Walk will be held on January 18th, 2015 in Boca Raton, FL on the campus of Florida Atlantic University.
