2016 Donation Celebrations: Invisible Threads are the Strongest Ties

Each year, the organ, eye, and tissue donation community in our region gather together to honor a powerful act. An act that has provided solace to some, life to others, and serves as the invisible thread connecting all those in attendance.

Our summer Donation Celebrations hosted in collaboration with our donation partner, SightLife, are held in four different locations throughout Montana and Washington.

These gatherings provide an opportunity for the unique community touched in some way by the gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation to come together, share stories, grieve, rejoice, heal- together in a safe, supportive environment.

The last of our celebrations concluded this weekend with events in Spokane and Seattle. Donor families, transplant recipients, hospital partners, donation professionals, and those waiting on the transplant list, gathered for lunch and a program that included stories shared by transplant recipients, and words from LifeCenter Northwest and SightLife leadership.

Throughout the event, participants were able to write messages to loved ones, or in honor of those who gave the gift of life, both on chalkboards as props for a photo booth, and on balloons that were then released together in a cathartic, but celebratory end to gathering. We also shared a video in honor of the gift of life during our program at the celebrations. Click here to watch the video.

The Montana celebrations in Billings and Missoula were held June 11 and 12 respectively.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to these celebrations! It is always a privilege and an inspiration to spend time with the people who motivate us every day!