PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Hundreds of families gathered at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for the 50th anniversary of the Gift of Life Donor Dash, a celebratory run and walk that honors the lives saved through organ and tissue donation.
Stephen Soltise and his wife Del have attended the Donor Dash every year since Stephen received two life-saving organs, a liver and a pancreas.
“It’s still emotional. I get choked up about the blessing,” he said. “I know I can never repay the gift I’ve been given, but I’m at least trying to honor it by doing the best I can to let people know about the donation life process.”
The event, which included a 10k run and a 5k walk, he said, is a chance to thank his donors and celebrate the Gift of Life community.
In a similar vein, Jenn and Jim Gatty were also present to honor their teenage son, Cole, who passed away in 2023 but continues to live on through the gift of organ donation.
"Cole would have done it in a heartbeat. You know, it’s a hard decision to make, but it’s the right decision to make,” said Jenn.
Among the crowd was Philadelphia’s own rapper and philanthropist, Philly Freeway, who has long been involved in the Gift of Life program, was on the frontlines and said the program saves lives, including his own.
“It’s always a great feeling to come out here. I’m a kidney recipient and a donor dad. So almost my whole heart is involved out here,” he said.
Deejay Johnson, with the Gift of Life, said it's impossible not to be inspired at the event.
“Someone who helps someone else, it’s truly amazing,” he said.
There are currently about 5,000 people in the region and over 100,000 nationwide waiting for an organ transplant to survive.