LifeSource

03/02/2026

Thank you those of you who joined us for Organ Donation Advocacy Day last Thursday! 💙🧡

02/28/2026

Yesterday, our incredible advocates had the opportunity to meet directly with lawmakers to advance bipartisan policy initiatives designed to increase organ, eye and tissue donor education and registration across Minnesota, including:

• Driver’s license renewal incentives tied to organ donor education program

• A specialty “Organ Donor” license plate to promote public awareness

• Exploring donor registration integration within additional state systems

Together, these initiatives aim to increase registrations, reduce waiting list times and ultimately save more lives.

02/26/2026

Organ Donation Advocacy Day at the Minnesota State Capitol!

02/24/2026

More than 29,000 Black patients are currently waiting for an organ transplant in the U.S.

This number represents lives on hold and families hoping for a second chance.

Let’s work together to raise awareness and close the gap.
Data as of January 7, 2026 provided by: https://www.hrsa.gov/optn/data/data-reports

02/23/2026

This Thursday we can't wait to be back at the Minnesota State Capitol for advocacy day! We are grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with our legislators about the importance of organ donation.

Unable to make it? We will be live streaming the rally at 10:30am - "join" us! For more details, check out the event page on our website https://www.life-source.org/events/advocacy-day-minnesota-capitol/

02/20/2026

At 45 years old, the St. Paul, Minnesota native is living well with a kidney transplant she received in 2018. But her story with kidney disease began long before that.

When Leanna was just six months old, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease. For years, she was able to manage her condition and live a normal life. Her mom, a single parent raising five children in St. Paul, made sure of that. Despite the challenges, Leanna grew up surrounded by love, especially from her younger brother — the sibling she remains closest to today.

It wasn’t until the birth of her second child that her condition worsened and the strain on her kidneys intensified. At a routine six-month nephrology appointment, her doctor noticed a drop in her kidney function and began preparing her for the possibility of a kidney transplant. After extensive testing, she was finally placed on the transplant waiting list.

Leanne would wait six years – a year and a half spent on dialysis. Some days she felt sick and exhausted. Her schedule changed. Family stepped in. Her sisters, nieces, nephews — everyone showed up.

Then one day, she got a call while she was at work — in the middle of a case in the operating room (OR), that there was a match. Her brother flew in. Family gathered. Friends picked up hospital shifts just to be nearby. Her support system surrounded her completely.

It is now nearly eight years later, and she’s living her second chance fully — celebrating kidney birthdays, advocating in her community and reminding others that behind every transplant is generosity, courage and the power to save a life.

As an African American and Mexican woman, Leanna is passionate about reaching multiethnic communities disproportionately affected by high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disease. She speaks candidly about prevention, healthy choices and having family conversations early.

02/18/2026

We are excited to be back at the Capitol next week for Organ Donation Advocacy Day! Check out some highlights from last year – we had a blast. It is because of our incredible advocates that we have such strong support for organ donation from Minnesota Legislators.

The deadline has passed to guarantee a meeting with your State Representative and Senator, and advocacy t-shirt, but we encourage you to join us for the rally in the Rotunda at 10:30am! Learn more about the event here https://www.life-source.org/events/advocacy-day-minnesota-capitol/

02/17/2026

Dr. Stephen Gray is a transplant surgeon specializing in liver transplantation and complex hepatobiliary surgery. He serves as Professor of Surgery at The George Washington University University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and as Surgical Director of Liver Transplantation at George Washington University Hospital. His career reflects a deep commitment to multidisciplinary, patient-centered care and a bold vision for a more equitable and innovative transplant system.

At the heart of Dr. Gray’s clinical and research efforts is a focus on equitable access to liver transplant evaluation and waitlisting. He works to reduce the structural, geographic, and system-level barriers that disproportionately affect historically marginalized communities. Whether through one-on-one patient care or systemic change, his approach remains grounded in the belief that access to life-saving treatment should never depend on where a person lives or the resources they have.

Dr. Gray’s professional interests also span transplant program development, quality improvement, and the use of telemedicine and health informatics to improve efficiency and communication across healthcare systems. His recent completion of an MBA from The George Washington University School of Business further reflects his commitment to leadership, strategy, and transformative thinking in healthcare.

By combining surgical expertise with health system innovation, Dr. Gray is helping to shape a more just, modern, and patient-centered future in transplantation.

02/16/2026

This weekend, the Altoona Lions Club will be hosting the highly anticipated "Tammy Gordon Memorial" Indoor Family Event & Outdoor Ice Fishing Classic!

We are so grateful for the generosity of the Lions and to Jerry for honoring his late wife and raising awareness for organ donation.

Learn more here - - https://altoonalionsclub.com/ice-fishing-classic-2026

Interview: Tammy Gordon Memorial Ice Fishing Classic returns later this month

02/14/2026

Happy National Donor Day! Thank you to all donors, registered donors, donor families, and living donors for your generosity.

Share the love and have a conversation about organ donation. Your advocacy saves lives 💙🧡

02/14/2026

Not only is tomorrow Valentine’s Day it’s National Donor Day; an observance dedicated to spreading awareness and education about organ, eye and tissue donation.

At just 2 months old, Grace was added to the transplant waiting list for a new heart. Thankfully her wait wasn’t long. After just a few weeks, she was given a second chance at life - all thanks to the generosity of an organ donor.

Amazing Grace is now 6 years old and Fox 9’s Tim Blotz is helping share her story. Check it out!💙🧡

Valentine's Day also marks National Donor Day, a time to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. Each year the number of people needing a life-saving organ transplant outnumbers the availability of organs.

02/13/2026

Did you know that many common sports injuries are repaired thanks to the generosity of donors who’ve shared tissue for transplant? The odds are that you or someone you know has received a tissue transplant that's allowed them to regain mobility and stay active.

Consider learning more about what it means to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at https://www.life-source.org/learn/