ConnectLife

03/12/2026

Happy World Kidney Day!! Today we're sharing the story of Stephanie, a living kidney donor who donated one of her kidneys to her dad. 💙

"My dad has always talked about the 'circle of life.' When I was an infant, I choked and stopped breathing; a neighbor’s quick action saved me. That moment became part of our family lore, a reminder that life is fragile and that sometimes we’re given second chances because someone else is willing to step in.

Decades later, my dad’s kidneys began to fail. I had just had a baby, so I had to wait until I was a year postpartum before I could even be considered as a donor. Once I started the process, the doctors walked me through every step. They reassured me that donating a kidney wouldn’t prevent me from living a full life, and I never hesitated.

On February 21, 2023, I gave my dad one of my kidneys. It traveled with a courier from Denver to Philadelphia and then by car to Harrisburg, where it was transplanted. Seeing him recover was indescribable. The color returned to his face instantly, his energy came back, and his laughter filled our family again.

Since then, we’ve been able to do things we never thought possible. One of my dad’s lifelong dreams was to see Alaska, and as a family, we checked it off his bucket list. Standing together amid Alaska’s mountains and glaciers, knowing we were there because of the transplant, was a feeling I’ll never forget.

Now he’s about to celebrate two years with that kidney, and he just turned 66. I honestly don’t know if he would have made it to this birthday without the transplant. I love watching him play with my children when he can, and I love being able to call him regularly. Enjoying those simple moments–and extraordinary ones like Alaska–reminds me every day why I did it. Someone saved my life when I was helpless; being able to save his feels like completing the circle he always talked about." 💙💚

Thank you to Stephanie for sharing her family's living donation journey!

03/11/2026

Each month, ConnectLife offers giveaways for blood and platelet donors including sports gear, tickets, t-shirts, & more. But did you know that with each donation, we also give points to be collected and cashed in at the ConnectLife Rewards Store? 🎁

With each blood donation, donors earn points in the ConnectLife Rewards Store.

03/10/2026

Meet our leadership! This is who works every day to honor organ, eye, tissue, and blood donors donors and fulfill our mission to educate the community, inspire donation, and connect lives. 💙

03/06/2026

March is Kidney Month! 💙🩵

More than 90,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant, accounting for 86% of patients on the national transplant waiting list.

You can help save lives by registering and sharing your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor and by learning more about living kidney donation.

Register here: www.ConnectLife.org/Register
Learn more here: https://www.ecmc.edu/health-services/kidney-and-pancreas-renal-care/kidney-transplants/living-donor-information/

03/05/2026

Hey, GM! We see you rockin' your ConnectLife & Buffalo Bandits t-shirts! 🧡

GM regularly hosts ConnectLife blood drives at all three WNY facilities as a way to maintain community partnership. Thank you to everyone who makes these drives possible.

Pictured: Bill, Roger, Matt, Dinnese, and Don

03/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to donate blood at the Ali Waclawek Fundraiser & Blood Drive at Daemen. All donations stay local, impacting countless lives at hospitals throughout WNY. 💙

03/02/2026

Listen up blood donors, you won't want to miss this giveaway! 💙 Donate blood or platelets in March for a chance to win a flight & hotel stay valued at $2,000! (You get to pick the destination, of course.)

In addition, every donor will get DOUBLE POINTS to the ConnectLife store!

Visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org or call 716-529-4270 to book an appointment in March.

02/27/2026

We have an unique opportunity to work in ConnectLife's Eye and Tissue Bank Department: as an Eye Bank Specialist I.

This is a full time position starting at $20.50 per hour, with opportunities to advance as a Certified Eye Bank Technician. Ideal candidates would have a minimum Associates degree or higher in Life Sciences, and one year of experience in either an eye banking lab or healthcare setting.

The Eye Bank Specialist I would be responsible for aseptic surgical tissue procurement on deceased donors, packaging, processing, and distribution related to eye and tissue services.

To apply, please go visit ConnectLife.org/Careers or for more information, text Alia at 716-468-4636.

02/27/2026

ConnectLife's Donor Referral Center is hiring for two roles, Family Support Specialists- Days/Nights and Referral Intake Coordinators - Nights.

Healthcare Customer Service Representatives are encouraged to apply! This is an office position.

Intake Coordinator: $20.50/hr
Family Support Specialist: $26.00/hr +$2.00/hr shift differential on nights

To learn more about these positions, and to apply, visit ConnectLife.org/Careers

02/23/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jonathan A. Dandes — a devoted advocate and treasured member of the ConnectLife family.

After a kidney transplant gave him a second chance at life, Jon made it his mission to help others receive the same gift. Since 2007, he has served ConnectLife with extraordinary generosity, including as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Foundation Board.

Through his advocacy and compassion, Jon inspired countless people across Western New York to support organ, eye, and tissue donation. His legacy will live on in the lives he helped save and enhance.

Our heartfelt condolences are with Jon’s family and loved ones.

02/19/2026

"Andrew was first diagnosed with heart failure at just 18 years old. For years, he managed his symptoms while also navigating a complex health history that included diabetes and Celiac disease. At 36, he was told he would need a heart transplant. He was admitted to Penn State Hershey to begin that journey, but in the weeks that followed, complications and setbacks arose, ultimately requiring a transfer to UPMC Presbyterian, the only center able to accept his urgent need for both a heart and kidney transplant.

On July 27th, through the selfless gift of an organ donor, Andrew was given a second chance at life – a chance to be a father, a husband, a son, a brother, and a friend. Andrew has fought countless battles and has always persevered, but we will forever be indebted to his donor and their family. Today, we advocate for others to consider registering as donors, in hopes of helping a family like ours. Because of this incredible gift, we have time together now. Andrew is thriving and doing the things he once only dreamed of."

Thanks to Jessica for sharing Andrew's story! 💙💚

02/17/2026

SHOUTOUT Kenmore East High School 💙📣

They have hosted 15 blood drives since 2014 and collected over 700 units of blood! That's 2,100 lives impacted by their blood drives alone. An incredible accomplishment! Thank you, Ken East!