LifeCenter Northwest

03/19/2026

Our hearts grow bigger with stories like these!

"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 Feb. 21, 2023, I gave my dad one of my kidneys. 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 celebrating 3 years with that kidney. 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." 💙💚

~Stephanie, Donate Life America

03/17/2026

Standing on-stage in front of a ballroom full of surgeons, hospital executives and medical professionals, heart recipient Dan Christ didn’t talk about data, outcomes or growth targets. He talked about hope.

“I cannot think of a greater purpose than hope,” Dan said. “Thank you for being hope-givers.”

Learn more about the collaboration helping expand transplantation across the Pacific Northwest on our blog.

Standing on-stage in front of a ballroom full of surgeons, hospital executives and medical professionals, Dan Christ didn’t talk about data, outcomes or growth targets. He talked about hope. “I … Read More

03/16/2026

Have you checked in with your kidneys lately?

Over 35 million people in the U.S. have kidney disease — often without knowing it — and it’s the fastest-growing non-communicable disease in the country. Left untreated, kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a transplant. Right now, 90,000+ people are waiting for a kidney in the U.S.

Kidney disease also highlights serious health disparities: people of color make up 14% of the population but 30% of those with end-stage kidney disease. That’s why we partnered with the Black K.A.R.E. Health Fair and Northwest Kidney Centers to share lifesaving information about donation, transplantation and kidney health.

03/13/2026

LaMont Williams grew up hearing his grandfather’s advice: stay ahead of diabetes.

So every six months, he had his blood checked.

That habit helped save his life.
But it would take two organ donor heroes to give him a second (and third) chance.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sponsor-story/lifecenter-northwest/2024/04/01/kidney-recipient-continues-to-use-his-renewed-health-to-serve-others/73129326007/

Two-time kidney recipient followed his calling, moved his family to Seattle to be a pastor.

03/12/2026

Thank you, Alli, for your life-saving partnership!

Intermountain St. Vincent Regional Hospital

We’re proud to celebrate one of our incredible caregivers at St. Vincent Regional Hospital. 💙

In January, LifeCenter Northwest honored Alli Buckner, RN, ICU nurse, with the LifeSaver Award — recognizing those who go above and beyond to save lives and strengthen the culture of organ donation.

During a recent donation case, Alli balanced exceptional clinical care with genuine compassion, keeping the patient’s family informed and supported every step of the way. She even returned after a scheduled day off to continue caring for the patient, demonstrating remarkable dedication and ownership.

Because of her exemplary care, this patient became an organ donor — saving five lives through the donation of their heart, liver, pancreas and both kidneys.

“Alli is kind. Always,” shared a LifeCenter Northwest organ recovery coordinator. “She embodies exactly what the LifeSaver Award represents.”

Please join us in congratulating Alli on this well-deserved recognition.

03/12/2026

After a tragic accident, 6-year-old John Luke became an organ donor, a real superhero, giving life and a future to several others.

His mother, Johnna, says the decision to donate her son's organs wasn't easy.

"A nurse from Legacy of Hope named Sally came to speak with us. My husband understood the science of organ donation and how it could help others, but all I could see was my child. I couldn’t imagine letting someone take something so precious from him.

At first, we said no.

I stepped outside and prayed that the Lord would give me peace about whatever decision we made. I didn’t have peace with saying no. I called a nurse friend and a funeral director to ask about the process. As I prayed, I felt the Lord remind me that there were people praying for something that John Luke could no longer use.

I went back in and told my husband I was willing to donate certain organs. John Luke was able to donate his heart, pulmonary valves, kidneys and liver.

Two people in their 30s in Birmingham received his kidneys. A six-year-old boy in Houston received his liver, and I still keep in contact with his mother. Recently we learned his pulmonary valve helped a five-year-old boy.

John Luke loved playing outside. He had just started kindergarten and was learning to read. He was funny, quick-witted and full of life. If he ever got quiet, you had to go check on him because he was probably into something he shouldn’t be. He loved dressing up as superheroes. I still have all of his costumes.

Because of organ donation, I truly believe he became a superhero for those families.

This experience changed my life. I’m now in school studying surgical technology because I want to help families going through moments like ours.

I’m also a registered organ donor now. I wasn’t before. Other members of our family have since registered to be donors too.

Of course I wish John Luke was still here. But seeing how far the little boy who received his liver has come, and knowing the quality of life he has now, brings me peace.

John Luke’s life changed other lives. He truly was a superhero."

— Johnna, John Luke's mother 💗

03/10/2026

A blizzard almost stopped a life-saving kidney donation. Almost.

When Kelley Nixon’s flight from Alaska to Boston was delayed in Chicago because of a snowstorm, the surgery where she planned to donate a kidney to a dear friend was suddenly in jeopardy.

So she turned to her husband and said, “I think we should drive.”

They rented a four-wheel-drive vehicle and drove through a blizzard, arriving in Boston just hours before surgery.

A kidney donor drove nearly 18 hours through a blizzard to reach Boston in time for a lifesaving transplant at Tufts Medical Center.

03/06/2026

From hospice care planning to second-chance liver recipient, Jesse Goss is here today because someone said "yes" to organ donation.

03/05/2026

March is National Kidney Month — a time to focus on the small organs that make a huge impact on our health!

Kidney disease affects millions of people, and most patients waiting for a life-saving organ transplant are waiting for a kidney.

Check out these six important facts about kidney health and organ donation.

03/02/2026

On Friday, February 27, we hosted the second annual Transplant Growth Collaboration in the Pacific Northwest.

As part of a national grassroots movement, we bring together transplant centers, hospitals and organ procurement organizations to share what’s working and tackle challenges so we can honor every donor’s gift.

And it’s making a difference.

After last year’s event, eight transplant centers across Washington and Oregon accepted more lifesaving organs from LifeCenter Northwest donor heroes — giving more patients the kidney, liver and lung transplants they had been waiting for.

Some programs achieved remarkable growth. Our partners at Providence Swedish increased liver transplants by 97%.

We celebrate every life saved. Nearly half of the patients waiting for a transplant in Washington and Oregon last year received their gift. But the need remains urgent: 92 people in our region died waiting.

That’s why this work matters. Every donor hero. Every family. Every recipient. The donation and transplant community is relentlessly working to honor each gift and save more lives.

Thank you to all of our partners in this life-saving work!
UW Medicine Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Mayo Clinic Providence Inland Northwest

02/27/2026

Nick finds comfort in knowing his wife’s legacy lives on through organ donation.

“You get to kind of hang your hat on the fact that someone else gets more time,” he said. “And all their friends and family — how grateful they are.”

Organ donation save lives and strengthens entire communities.

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/spokane-family-shares-their-organ-donation-story-as-2025-marks-record-year-for-transplants-in-wa/293-cd5999e8-81ac-4dd5-906f-8cddbdf48530 // U.S. Senator Patty Murray Senator Maria Cantwell

After a devastating ALS diagnosis, one Spokane family shares their story about how organ donation brings light to one of the darkest times in their lives.

02/26/2026

Meet Dale Steele — a 100-year-old veteran, artist and rancher — who added one more title to his remarkable legacy of generosity this month: organ donor hero.

Dale Steele, a WWII veteran from Nebraska, lived a life of humble service. When he died at age 100, he became the oldest organ donor in the U.S.