PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nearly 15,000 people were packed into Philadelphia’s Navy Yard Sunday morning for the 27th annual Gift of Life Donor Dash. Donors, recipients and people from all walks of life moved together to raise money in support of organ donation services, and to recruit more organ donors.
Life was pretty tough for John Branton before he received his liver transplant back in 2007.
“I was retaining about 75 pounds of fluid. My brain was foggy,” Branton said. “I sometimes didn’t know what year it was or who the president was. My speech was slurred and slow.”
The same is true for Keith Chalmers, who is a double lung recipient.
“I couldn’t live in society any longer,” Chalmers said.
But both men, following their transplants, have now gone on to live happy, active lives.
“I don’t know who my donor was or who my donor family is, so this gives me the opportunity to meet with other donor family members,” Branton said.
And each year they volunteer at Dash.
“I just love it. I wouldn’t have it no other way,” Chalmers said. “Rain, shine, sleet or whatever, I’ll be here.”
Tom and Vivian Gano’s 16-year-old son was hit and killed while riding his bike back in 1987. But through organ donation, he was able to live on.
“A 53-year-old man received his heart and lungs. A 17-year-old boy received one of his kidneys. A 34-year-old man received the other kidney. His pancreas got transported inside of a 45-year-old man,” said Vivian.
She says she and her husband have volunteered at the Dash. Speaking at schools about the importance of organ donation is their way of keeping their son’s memory alive.
“He was always a caring kid, always helping someone, and this was his last thing he could do here on Earth,” she said. “And, to me, because he saved lives, he’s a hero, and he’ll always remain a hero in my heart.”
This year’s event has raised more than $620,000 and is expected to bring in more than 5,000 new donors.