National Tree of Life Event Honors Organ Donors and Celebrates Lives Saved

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and Donate Life America (DLA) are preparing to host the annual National Tree of Life virtual event, a ceremony dedicated to honoring the memory of organ, eye, and tissue donors who have given the gift of life in 2024. This event not only commemorates the selfless acts of these donors but also celebrates the thousands of lives they have saved, serving as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of organ donation on individuals, families, and communities nationwide.

Scheduled for December 16 at 6:30 p.m. ET, the ceremony will be live-streamed, bringing together the organ donation and transplant community to reflect on the legacy of over 20,000 organ donors and tens of thousands of cornea and tissue donors from the past year. Through symbolic gestures such as hanging ornaments on trees of life and lighting candles of remembrance, volunteers with personal connections to donation and transplantation will honor donors from each state, illustrating the nationwide reach of organ donation.

The event will feature powerful testimonies from individuals whose lives have been transformed by organ donation, including Jan Flanders, a tissue recipient and family member of an organ donor; Sam Dey, a heart recipient; and Samuel and Susan Kirton, a double lung recipient and caregiver. These stories provide firsthand accounts of the life-changing impact of organ donation and transplantation, underscoring the importance of donor registration.

A significant moment of the ceremony will be the announcement of the winner of the annual Lisa Schaffner Community Advocate Award, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to promoting organ donation. This award honors the legacy of Lisa Schaffner, a former UNOS employee and dedicated advocate for donation and transplantation.

Maureen McBride, Ph.D., CEO of UNOS, and David Fleming, DLA president and CEO, both emphasized the emotional and communal significance of the event. McBride highlighted the 'tremendous loss, bravery and joy' associated with organ donation, while Fleming spoke to the 'enduring legacy of lifesaving generosity' of donors and their families. The National Tree of Life event not only raises awareness about the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donation but also provides a space for healing and remembrance for donor families.

With the demand for organ transplants continuing to exceed the supply of available organs, events like the National Tree of Life are essential in encouraging more individuals to register as donors. By showcasing the profound impact of donation, the ceremony aims to inspire others to consider giving the gift of life, fostering a sense of national community around this vital cause.