PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Gift of Life Donor Program, serving 11.3 million people in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware, is celebrating 50 years of saving lives.
The Philadelphia-based nonprofit has coordinated the most donors and organs for transplant of any U.S. organ procurement organization. Nearly 5 million people in the Philadelphia region are registered as organ donors, but the need is constant.
The nonprofit would like to sign up 5,000 new organ donors.
“We highly encourage people to sign up and register. It takes only about 30 seconds to register, but that 30 seconds can be a lifetime for somebody else,” said Rick Hasz, president and CEO.
One organ donor can save up to eight lives. One tissue donor can contribute to the healing of about 100 people.
Celebrity ambassador and Philadelphia hip hop recording artist Freeway says he’s blessed to have received a kidney after being diagnosed with kidney failure.
“I did four hours of dialysis three times a week, from Feb. 16, 2015, all the way to Feb. 5, 2019, when I received my gift of life,” he said.
“I got a second chance at life. … And I haven't looked back since, you know. Everything's been good. … I'm cherishing every moment, you know, and I'm trying to give back as much as I can.”
Hear more about Freeway’s kidney transplant journey and 50 years of Gift of Life Donor Program on the latest Bridging Philly podcast:
Freeway has also seen the other side of the process, as part of a donor family. When a loved one dies, donor families often are called on to make a selfless decision in the midst of unfathomable grief to save lives.
“Thank God that I had that knowledge, you know, because when my son passed away, he saved four lives,” said Freeway. “Two people got his kidneys. One person got his liver and one person got his lungs. You know, he was a hero, even in passing.”
April is also National Donate Life Month, and Freeway will participate in the Gift of Life Donor Dash fundraising event on April 28.
“Donation and transplant doesn't happen unless we have the kindness of strangers,” said Hasz. “Quite honestly, it's just an amazing gift that these families can give, and they're truly the real heroes.”