Center for Organ Recovery & Education

Home
United States
Pittsburgh, PA
Center for Organ Recovery & Education

We honor donors, support families, & inspire communities to give the gift of life.

The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is a nonprofit organ procurement organization dedicated to saving & healing lives through organ, tissue, & cornea donation.

09/15/2025

Yesterday, CORE had the honor of hosting our annual West Virginia Special Place ceremony in Charleston, WV — a tradition dedicated to remembering and celebrating the selfless organ, tissue, and cornea donors from the past year.

More than 200 donor family members came together at the Clay Center to reflect, share memories, and pay tribute to their loved ones whose legacies live on through the gift of life. The ceremony was filled with touching stories, music, and moments of remembrance that highlighted the hope and healing made possible by donation.

Every donor leaves behind a legacy of love. Thank you to all who joined us in honoring these heroes yesterday!

09/11/2025

Through the gift of organ donation, 2-year-old Shaun Evans received a lifesaving heart from Seilah Stanley. Seilah’s family and Shaun’s loved ones have since been able to meet, sharing a powerful connection built through the gift of life.

We are grateful to Kelly Sasso WTAE for telling this story and for being such a strong champion of organ donation. Her coverage helps inspire others to say “yes” to donation.

09/10/2025

A Hero’s Legacy Lives On 💙

Every donor leaves behind a story of hope, generosity, and healing. In the CORE Gallery of Heroes, families share heartfelt tributes to those who have given the ultimate gift. Today, we honor Al-Haneef Thomas — a true hero.

His family shares, “He was a shining star in the eyes of every and anyone who has ever met him. He had a knack for drawing and a deep love for music. A young man who was wise beyond his years. When he was little I used to always say “you been here before”. He was the most respectful young man you could ever meet.”

Read his full tribute here: https://coreheroes.org/tribute/al-haneef-thomas/

09/09/2025

Did you know that in addition to signing up at the DMV, iPhone users can sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor right from the iPhone Health App? All registrations submitted from iPhone are sent directly to the National Donate Life Registry managed by Donate Life America.

The power to help save a life is in the palm of your hand. Take a minute and sign up now! Already registered? Share this message and tell folks how easy it is to help save and heal lives!

09/08/2025

CORE was honored to help bring together the family of Kathryn “Katie” Yomes and the man who now carries her heart, Jeff Backus. Katie was just 27 years old when she became a donor, giving the gift of life to three people.

In addition to Jeff receiving her heart, Katie’s kidneys saved two others, and her tissue donation will continue to bring healing and hope to countless people for years to come. Katie’s legacy is one of love, generosity, and hope. Please consider signing up as an organ donor and give others the gift of tomorrow.

09/05/2025

Did you know that over 90% of state donor registrations come through the DMV? Thank you to our incredible DMV partners nationwide for asking the donation question every day!

Learn more and sign up to be an organ donor here: https://core.org/

09/04/2025

A Hero’s Legacy Lives On 💙

Every donor leaves behind a story of hope, generosity, and healing. In the CORE Gallery of Heroes, families share heartfelt tributes to those who have given the ultimate gift. Today, we honor Gregory Matics — a true hero.

His family shares, “Greg was a loving husband to his beloved wife, Bev, for 44 years and a proud “girl Dad,” to Scotti and Sierra. His pride and joy were his “Fab Five,”grandchildren, Nora, Jaxon, Katy, Dylan, and Kori. He was above all, a Christian and his faith was the foundation of knowing his body was simply a vessel. This belief gave him the pride in becoming an organ donor, which he talked about with his family throughout his life.”

Read Gregory's full tribute here: https://coreheroes.org/tribute/gregory-matics/

09/03/2025

Join CORE in honoring the gift of life by volunteering at one of our upcoming events! Whether you're helping out at a tabling event or supporting a donor awareness activity, your time and energy help save and heal lives.

Browse and sign up for opportunities here: https://core.givepulse.com/.../1272432-Center-for-Organ...

Let’s work together to inspire more people to sign up as organ, tissue, and cornea donors!

09/02/2025

September is National DMV Appreciation Month! 💙💚🚗

National DMV Appreciation Month recognizes the vital role of DMVs and Driver License Partners (DLPs) in saving and healing lives by asking customers the donor registration question every day. Our DMV partners are the people on the front lines of service who have helped more than 165 million people across the country register their decision to be a deceased organ, tissue, and cornea donor.

Join us in thanking our DMV partners for their incredible work saving lives through donation and transplantation!

Learn more at https://donatelife.net/how-you-can-help/national-observances-celebrations/dmv-month/

08/29/2025

As we close out , we honor the lifesaving work of Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White, the first Black woman to become a transplant surgeon in the United States. Over her 40-year-long career, Dr. Scantlebury-White performed an estimated 2,000 organ transplants.

Born in Barbados, she and her family immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, when she was 15. Pursuing her dream of becoming a physician, she eventually earned her medical degree from Columbia University. Eight years later, Dr. Scantlebury-White earned her Doctor of Surgery from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, a first in the country. Recognized as one of the top doctors in the U.S., Dr. Scantlebury-White is passionate about educating communities of color about the need for more organ donors and the rising number of patients in need of transplantation.

08/28/2025

CORE had the privilege of witnessing a beautiful moment as the family of organ donor Seilah Stanley met with 2-year-old Shaun Evans—the little boy whose life was saved by Seilah’s heart.

Seilah was just 2 years old, but she filled every day with love and laughter. She adored princess dresses, carried purses packed with treasures, and always brought a baby doll along for the ride. Her joyful spirit lives on through her lifesaving gift.

Because of Seilah’s generosity, Shaun received his heart transplant in June 2024. After spending his first Christmas and birthday in the hospital waiting, Shaun is now thriving—happy, playful, and full of charm.

This meeting was a powerful reminder of how donation connects lives in the most extraordinary way. CORE is deeply grateful to Seilah’s family for their selfless decision, and to our partners at Lifeline of Ohio for helping make this life-saving miracle possible.

08/27/2025

Update from Team Alleghenies in Germany! Our athletes spent the week representing the power of second chances at the World Transplant Games.

Address

204 Sigma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
15238

Telephone

+14129633550

Website

http://www.core.org/, http://www.core.org/register

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Center for Organ Recovery & Education posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Pittsburgh?