Donation Stories

One act of generosity becomes a lifetime of impact.

Norfolk Preacher Demystifies Organ Donation through Outreach

November 6, 2018

Your loved one or yourself is already gone but someone else, another person, they can actually live,”Pastor Gloria Newsome-Brickhouse wasn’t always an organ donation advocate. In fact, organ donation wasn’t really on her radar until a deacon at her church invited her to attend a seminar for the blind about 10 years ago. “They kept…

A Driving Force Remembered: Joey Gase takes Meredith Haga Fox’s message to fans

Meredith Haga Fox / Kidney Recipient
& Bruce Blessing / Living Donor

Meredith Haga Fox was not shy about encouraging others to become organ donors—quite the opposite, she was passionate and determined. “She didn’t take ‘no’ very well,” remembers NASCAR driver Joey Gase, who became friends with Meredith during his work with Donate Life Virginia. If anyone knew the power of direct statements, it was Meredith. A…

Virginia Man to be Honored at Richmond Raceway

AJ Janosko / Tissue Donor

AJ Janosko should have turned 50 this year. He didn’t. Instead of celebrating his birthday, his family is preparing to celebrate his life, as well as the lives he saved and that were healed, thanks to his decision to be a donor. On Sept. 21, the Donate Life Virginia #35 car will bear AJ’s name…

Burn survivor begins new life as an advocate

August 15, 2018

Imran Zaman is a new man. Literally. After 90 percent of his body was burned in a house fire, he nearly died three times, spent months in a coma, then received extensive tissue donations to rebuild his body. “I was basically like a newborn,” Imran said. “I couldn’t talk and I couldn’t walk, but I…

College Friends Share a Liver, Return to US Transplant Games of America

Matthew Felix / Liver Recipient
& Patrick Kacani / Living Donor

Matt and Patrick were college friends. They shared a soccer team, a fraternity and a room. Now, they also share a liver. “About six years ago, I opened an email and it was a friend saying ‘Hey, did you hear about Matt?’” said Patrick Kacani. “I read back through the email chain and saw he…

Checking your status could change 75 lives

Did you know organ, eye and tissue donation can save 8 people, and improve life for 75 more? Check your status right now, and sign up to help others have longer, stronger lives.