Stem cell transplant recipients and their donors during Gift of Life's fireworks display on June 4, 2025. (L-R) Justen Rich-Aiken and Jazzmine Rich-Aiken, parents of transplant recipient Logan Rich-Aiken (in arms), Logan's stem cell donor Lindsay Wilson, transplant recipient Michelle Bibichayev, Michelle's stem cell donor Boris Semkhayev, and her husband Abraham Bibichayev.
A dazzling fireworks display and two emotional donor-recipient meetings highlighted Gift of Life’s annual One Huge Night Gala in New York City on June 4, 2025. For the third year, the organization held this uplifting celebration at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers with a beautiful view of the Hudson River.
The evening featured the presentation of a Special Tribute Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Corporate Partner Award.
When he was only two months old, Logan Rich-Aiken, 2, was diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, an extremely rare immune disorder. Genetic testing helped pinpoint the disease, but the only known cure for this type of immune disorder is a stem cell or marrow transplant. After testing, none of Logan’s family members were a close enough match to be his donor, yet when they learned a stranger might be found who could donate, they felt hope again.
The family’s prayers were answered when donor Lindsay Wilson, 24, was found in Gift of Life’s registry, and Logan received a stem cell transplant from her in October 2023.
Lindsay swabbed in February 2020 during a dance marathon at Florida State University, where Gift of Life’s Campus Ambassadors run multiple drives every year and have added more than 8,000 donors to the registry to date.
The pair were introduced by leukemia survivor David Blumenfeld, Principal of the Blumenfeld Development Group and a staunch advocate for the organization. To the applause of gala attendees, Lindsay and Logan’s family exchanged tearful and emotional hugs.
“Logan’s transplant was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to witness as a mother, I was really scared,” said Jazzmine, Logan’s mother. “Then, after about three weeks, he started doing better. The 29th day, when he was discharged from the hospital, it was a great day for us. Lindsay, you saved my son’s life, you gave us a second chance.”
“It’s hard to put into words what this moment means to me,” said Lindsay. “Meeting Logan and his beautiful family is truly an honor, and it is a privilege to be part of his story. I’m happy I was able to contribute to how well he’s doing today. I want to thank Gift of Life – it has been amazing from the day I learned I was a match to right now, meeting Logan.”
Michelle Bibichayev, a resident of New York, was pregnant with her son when irregular results in a routine blood test showed that her constant exhaustion and nose bleeds were not a result of her pregnancy, but a potentially deadly condition: acute myeloid leukemia.
“I thought my life was over, and I would not be able to meet my son or grow old with my husband,” said Michelle.
When she learned that a stem cell transplant could save her life, she felt excited and optimistic again, and her matching donor was quickly found in Gift of Life’s registry.
As an undergraduate at Hunter College and a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, Boris Semkhayev was given a recommendation by the Hillel chapter on campus: join Gift of Life’s Campus Ambassador Program and help recruit more donors. Boris took that suggestion and then joined the registry himself during the CAP training symposium in 2017.
“I was aware of how vital it is for more people to sign up so that those who need transplants have a better chance of finding a matching donor,” said Boris. “I was happily surprised when I was called as Michelle’s match in 2023.”
Michelle and Boris were introduced for the first time by singer/songwriter and social activist Montana Tucker, whose documentary, “The Children of October 7,” is currently streaming. Tucker is also a registry member, who joined during her Birthright Israel trip.
“Saving a person’s life literally trumps everything else,” said Boris. “I wanted to become a doctor to help people, but I never expected that I would physically do this myself. We are more than just flesh and blood; we are here to make a difference.”
Michelle brushed away tears of joy as she thanked him.
“I didn’t think I would live with the type of cancer I had,” she said. “In just two weeks, they found you, Boris, and you literally saved my life and my son’s life. Thank you so much for everything.”
Gift of Life’s Founder and CEO Jay Feinberg presented an emotional tribute to supporter – and longtime friend – Lynn Schusterman, in recognition of the special role she, her husband Charles z”l, and their foundation have played in Gift of Life’s growth and success over the decades.
“Lynn’s dedication goes back to the very beginning of Gift of Life, when she stretched out her arm to donate a blood sample for me at a donor drive,” said Jay. “The story of our relationship just continues from there, and as we mark 30 years, it means so much to me.”
In a video presentation, Lynn recalled this time as well.
“I found out about Gift of Life at a Jewish General Assembly in 1994,” said Lynn. “Jay had been diagnosed, and his mom, Arlene, was out there looking for a donor. Because my husband Charlie was also diagnosed with leukemia, but couldn’t have a marrow transplant, it was vitally important to him to get involved and help Jay.”
The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation helped to spearhead Gift of Life’s partnership with Birthright Israel and has been instrumental in supporting the on-campus recruiting of young 18- to 30-year-old donors, who form the demographic most often requested by transplant centers.
“I am pleased to share the exciting news that Lynn is providing a major gift in support of these campus recruitment efforts,” announced Jay. “I am thrilled and honored to share the naming of the Charles Schusterman Campus Ambassador Program. I can think of no better way to recognize Charlie’s memory than naming this very important program for him.”
After joining Jay on stage, Lynn made additional remarks.
“I feel this moment really belongs to three people,” said Lynn. “First to Dr. Moche Talpaz, who went out on a limb to bring Interferon to the United States before it was FDA-approved, to Jay because he created Gift of Life and you see all the lives of people that he’s touched, and to his late mother, Arlene, who would not take ‘there is no match for Jay’ as an answer.”
Dr. Stephen R. Colen, a longtime member of Gift of Life’s board, as well as a transplant recipient and cancer survivor, was presented with the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Board member Wendy Siegel, also a transplant recipient and cancer survivor, presented the award.
Dr. Colen has been a dedicated supporter and instrumental advocate of the organization for more than 13 years. In 2012, he was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and received two stem cell transplants within three years. In August 2025, he will celebrate 10 years cancer-free, thanks to his lifesaving donor, David Friedman, whom he met in a surprise introduction at Gift of Life’s 2017 New York Gala.
Gift of Life’s Chairman of the Board Steven B. Siegel presented the Corporate Partner Award to global law firm Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson in recognition of their ongoing support for Gift of Life’s mission. Chairman of Fried Frank’s Real Estate Department Jonathan Mechanic accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
This year’s gala was chaired by Gift of Life Chairman of the Board Stephen B. Siegel and his wife Wendy, with Heller and Jeffrey Goldberg acting as Vice Chairs, and Board of Directors member Edward Blumenfeld and his wife Susan serving as Honorary Gala Chairs. Transplant recipient Ezra Fineman served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Thank you to everyone who attended the One Huge Night New York City Gala. We deeply appreciate your support for our mission: to ensure that every person in need of a blood stem cell or marrow donor can find one at the time they are needed.
To visit the photo gallery, click here.