LifeGift

09/26/2025

Take a moment to read this incredible feature about our very own Woodlhey, LifeGift’s Senior Director of Organ Operations & Surgical Recovery and the incoming President of AMAT! 🌟 We are so proud of you and the incredible impact you’re making in the donation and transplant community. 👏

“I’m the incoming president of AMAT and currently serve as senior director of organ operations and surgical recovery at LifeGift. My journey into this field started more than 13 years ago. I had been working at the hospital bedside, but I felt unfulfilled and needed something more. I met someone from LifeGift, joined the team, and I’ve loved the work ever since.

My background includes medical school in Mexico and a degree in respiratory therapy. Those experiences prepared me, but nothing compares to the passion I’ve found in this mission.

For those unfamiliar with AMAT, I would say this: AMAT gives a voice to multicultural and underserved communities. It ensures people are seen, heard, and supported. We encourage people to bring their talents, to volunteer, to grow, and to be themselves.

As AMAT president, my goal is for this organization to be recognized as the voice for multicultural communities in donation and transplantation. Any time there’s a policy or process that impacts our communities, I want AMAT to be the first place people turn for guidance and perspective.

This work is deeply personal to me. In December 2024, I lost my uncle while he was waiting for a heart transplant. He was like THE uncle to all of us cousins, and even though I work in healthcare and transplantation, I couldn’t help him. That loss drives me to keep pushing, to make sure more people have access to the lifesaving organs they need.
I love what I do. I haven’t found anything else that gives me this much passion. Every day I wake up knowing I might help change someone’s life, and that’s what makes me proud to continue this work.”

— Woodlhey Ambroise, Incoming President of AMAT

09/25/2025

Shoutout to our Director of LIFT, Manny! 🌟 We are so proud of him for sharing his story and representing LifeGift. His dedication to our mission of saving lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation inspires us all every day. 💙

“I’ve worked in the organ donation field at LifeGift for more than eight years, but last year it became very personal when my mom, Rosa, passed away from end-stage liver disease.

Because of her health, she wasn’t able to donate her organs, but she was able to give the gift of tissue and corneas for transplantation. I know one of her gifts went to Florida and another to Chicago. My mom was always a giver—she loved sharing little trinkets and tokens with people she cared about—so this was the ultimate gift she was able to give.

She had her challenges, including schizophrenia, but that never defined her. She was sweet, funny, and had a way of winning people’s hearts. Being her son and caretaker, I knew her wishes. When the time came, I advocated for her and spoke with my family, and they trusted me to take the lead.

As her son, it means so much to know that her final act was one of giving. Even beyond death, she was able to help others. I hope those who received her gifts feel her generosity and carry her spirit with them. For me, it’s a reminder of the beauty of donation and why I’ll always keep advocating—especially in the Latino community—to dispel myths and encourage others to give the gift of life.”

—Manny C.

09/23/2025

We’re honored to share this wonderful message from State Representative Christina Morales speaking about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Her words remind us of the incredible impact of giving the gift of life and how we can all come together to make a difference. ✨

Click here >>> https://youtube.com/shorts/Zvqa5jl29Ok?feature=share

Watch the video above to hear Rep. Morales share insights on how donation saves lives and why it’s especially important to raise awareness within our Hispanic communities. Let’s continue to celebrate life, hope and the rich heritage that connects us all! ✨💙

09/16/2025

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for the Houston 2nd Chance Run! ✨ Thank you to everyone who came out to run, walk, volunteer, and cheer together. Your support helps raise awareness and celebrate the incredible gift of life.

Congratulations to our winners:
🏆 Largest Family Team – Jordan Emerson
🏆 Largest Hospital Team – Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center Transplant Team

Thank you for making this day so special! 💙
Relive the memories and check out all the photos from the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCuhGm

09/15/2025

🌟 Today marks the beginning of ! 🌟
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This month, we honor the generosity of Hispanic donors and their families, and highlight the vital need for more people in this vibrant community to say “YES” to organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Today, until October 15, join us in celebrating Hispanic heritage, educating others, and recognizing the incredible impact of donation. Together, we can give hope, save lives, and heal more families. 💙💚

09/13/2025

✨1 DAY! ✨
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TOMORROW is LifeGift’s 2nd Chance Run! There’s still time to sign up. We can’t wait to see you bright and early at MacGregor Park! 💙🏃

09/12/2025

LifeGift Feel Good Fridays - A Legacy of Gratitude 💙✨

Brenda Putnam’s life changed dramatically after she was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in early 2022. “I learned I needed a transplant when I woke up from my coma and had dialysis technicians coming in every other day,” she recalls. Dialysis became a painful routine that consumed her life, leaving her drained and dependent on her husband for even the simplest tasks. “I used to be such an independent person,” she says. “But dialysis made me rely on others for everything. It was hard to accept.”

After waiting more than three years, Putnam received the call that would give her new hope. On June 25, 2025, at Loma Linda Hospital in San Bernardino, Calif., she underwent a life-saving kidney and pancreas transplant. “When I received the call, I was in shock because I didn’t think it would be that soon,” she says. “All my emotions ran wild because I didn’t know whether to cry, be happy, or sad. I only say ‘sad’ because when I heard both organs were from the same person, I immediately felt sorrow for the family.”

Since her transplant, Putnam has embraced life with renewed purpose and gratitude. “This second chance at life means everything to me,” she reflects. “Previously, I felt like I was trapped, like I was stuck in time while everyone else moved on with their lives. But now it’s like I can be me again.” She honors her donor and their family daily, adding them to her morning prayers and holding them close in her heart. “What they did was help provide life again,” she explains. “I’ve been thinking about and praying for them every day.”

For more inspiration - continuing reading LifeGift’s Feel Good Fridays here https://conta.cc/4n2KRwp

09/11/2025

✨We’re only 2 DAYS away from the 2025 2nd Chance Run! ✨
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Check out the trophies - the largest family team and the largest hospital team will each take one home! 🏆 🏆

🎉 Plus, enjoy $5 off of your registration. It’s automatically applied at checkout now through Saturday!

✨ Register, rally your team, and let’s make this year’s run unforgettable! 💙💚