Lifeline Blog

Real stories about what is possible when you #SayYES.

Burn survivor begins new life as an advocate

By Kelly Vance / 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…

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

By Kelly Vance / July 26, 2018

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…

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35 Day Challenge Honors Richmond Donor

By Kelly Vance / July 10, 2018

Andrew Luna was an advocate for organ donation even before he died. In life, he experienced firsthand how an organ transplant impacts a family. Upon his death, he gave his own organs. And now, six months after his death, his friends are signing up organ donors in his name to commemorate what would have been…

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Miracle Milestone: Gloucester 5-year-old graduates with a ‘special heart’

By Kelly Vance / June 26, 2018

Preschool graduation is always a milestone, but for Brody Martin, it’s also a miracle. The 5-year-old almost didn’t live to see his first birthday but thanks to an angel and a heart transplant, he is now experiencing childhood like every other kid in his class. Brody’s mom, Lauren Martin, said it happened out of the…

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Inspired by son’s transplant, Richmond mom signs up as anonymous living donor

By Kelly Vance / June 22, 2018

After her son’s heart transplant, Ashleigh Jordan wanted to do something to honor his donor and the thousands of other strangers who give the gift of life. After some thought, she decided to give the gift herself, signing up to become a living kidney donor. “I thought about releasing balloons or doing a fundraiser but…

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Checking your status could change 75 lives

Did you know organ 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.