Carrying Their Legacy to Washington, D.C.

How two proud moms are strengthening communities through storytelling

Their sons, Carter Herne and William Hunt, made the decision to register as organ donors. Because of that decision, together they saved 10 lives and healed many more — a legacy that continues to ripple outward through families and communities across the country. 

Over the course of four days, the group met with 21 congressional offices representing four states, bringing Carter and William’s stories directly to the people shaping policy.  

Sonja and Heidi spoke about their sons’ decisions, but also about the enduring nature of love and grief. By sharing their experience and advocating for policy reform that supports the work of organ procurement organizations (OPOs) like LifeCenter Northwest, they’re honoring their sons while helping to save the lives of people waiting for an organ transplant. In meeting after meeting, they offered a perspective that cannot be captured in numbers alone: the reality of lives saved, families healed, and communities strengthened through organ donation.

Those conversations highlighted the complex system that makes donation possible. 

LifeCenter Northwest’s ability to carry out its mission depends on strong partnerships with donor hospitals, transplant programs and communities across the region. As the OPO serving the nation’s largest and most geographically diverse areas — including Alaska, Montana, North Idaho and Washington — the organization navigates vast distances, rural and remote communities, and challenging conditions that make timely coordination critical. Even under these circumstances, the commitment remains the same: to honor every donor’s legacy and ensure no life-saving opportunity is missed. 

More than 100,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for  a life-saving organ transplant.

Behind every number is a person, a family and a future full of possibility. Yet in 2024, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, more than 25% of donated kidneys were not used — even as thousands of patients died waiting. 

Our organization, alongside partners across the country, continues to advocate for improvements to the national system, which includes increasing the number of organs available for transplant, reducing disparities and supporting innovation. A key focus is ensuring that federal oversight accurately reflects the realities of the work. Current evaluation metrics from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have raised significant concerns among OPOs nationwide, as they may not fully or fairly measure performance and could ultimately put patients and access to transplantation at risk. We are urging common-sense updates to create a more accurate, transparent and effective system. 

This work is driven by the people behind it.

Learn more about donation and talk with your loved ones about the impact you can make.