When project manager and fellow creative, Sara Sciacchitano, first encountered a news article about a local resident looking for a kidney donation, questions came to mind of what this person was feeling or experiencing. After finding out that this person unfortunately passed away while waiting for a donor, Sara was devastated and knew that something had to be done. This experience ignited her journey to becoming a living kidney
donor, as she shares her story with others and uses her platform to advocate for organ donation.

Meet Grace Zhou, a Junior at the Brearley School in Manhattan, who is driving the “Organ Donation Education and Saving Lives” Initiative in the state of New York. The goal of this initiative is to integrate organ donation education into high school curriculums, from health courses to science classes. Well, how did she get inspired to do this? A friend of Grace’s, Sierra Pape, had successfully passed the “Teaching Organ and Tissue Donation Education and Saving Lives Initiative” in her state of Georgia. Initially knowing very little about organ donation, Grace began to research the field and upon seeing New York’s low donation rates, she “couldn’t imagine not acting on it.”

When her husband’s sudden illness led to a dire need for a heart transplant, Jordan Mace, a Director of Customer Success at Braze, found herself entangled in an organ donation and transplant journey.

Six years ago, Martha Gershun made the life-changing decision to become a living kidney donor. Her book, “Kidney to Share,” was published by Cornell University Press in 2021, detailing her concerns and complaints about the living donor process. Her book has educated people throughout the transplant network, spreading awareness and advocating for organ donation.

Elaine Perlman, a former educator turned organ donation advocate, exemplifies a commitment to creating positive change in the world of healthcare. Today, she advocates at the policy level to improve the lives of donors and recipients, bringing attention to the immeasurable significance of living donation.

Meet Mark and Lynn Scotch, a couple from Wisconsin who epitomize the transformative impact of selfless giving. Their remarkable decision to donate a kidney serves as a story of altruism and compassion that inspires us all.

In this interview with ⁤Dr. Arthur Caplan, the Director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, he shares his engagement in health, the inspiration behind his impactful work, and his significant contributions to bioethics. ⁤

Here, Dr. Stephen Oross shares his profound experiences as a heart transplant recipient and educator, emphasizing the importance of organ donation, advocating for people with health conditions, and the potential for technology to create inclusive educational environments for all.

In the dynamic realm of organ donation advocacy, Mimi Greenman stands as a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the field of organ transplantation. As a LCSW with a Master’s in Social Work and a degree in Public Health, Mimi’s career has been marked by a profound dedication to empowering patients.

Meet Patti Bilings, the Community Education Coordinator at National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NYC, and Leah Levitte, a volunteer with NAMI-NYC who specializes in delivering "Ending the Silence'' presentations in order to foster conversations that challenge stigmas regarding mental health. Through their work at NAMI NYC, Patti and Leah support the public’s mental health by normalizing conversations about mental health, providing support, and advocating for better policies. Inspired by their personal experiences and interactions with youth, they continue to advocate for mental health awareness.