LifeSource

04/06/2026

There were three things in life that Steven Clarkin loved more than anything: his children, his family and the Minnesota Vikings.

If you know anything about Vikings fans, you know they are passionate, loyal, resilient and endlessly hopeful. “Skol” isn’t just a chant — it’s a way of life. Something Steven knew well.

Last month, Steven passed away suddenly. Through organ donation, he saved the lives of four people, including a six-year-old, giving others hope and a bonus overtime at life.

His family chose to honor him in a way that reflected his unwavering love of the Vikings — through an honor walk that will never be forgotten. At Hennepin Healthcare, “Skol” played over the speakers as the hallway filled with people chanting along. Steven, draped in his favorite jersey, was surrounded by friends and family as he made his final winning play.

Honor walks are a way for the medical staff and families to acknowledge the generosity of the organ donors and the legacy they will leave behind. The practice typically involves the medical team lining the hallway in silent reverence as the donor is transported from the Intensive Care Unit to the Operating Room for the recovery of their life-saving gifts.

This is Steven's honor walk.

04/03/2026

Looking for a fun way to support organ donation during Donate Life Month? Stop by Skaalvenn Distillery!

Tyson, the owner of Skaalvenn, experienced organ donation firsthand about ten months ago when he received a lifesaving lung transplant. Now he’s helping spread awareness and encouraging others to register.

Thank you for sharing your story and being a great representation of the power of organ donation. We’re so happy you got your second chance 🧡

04/01/2026

Every April, we celebrate National Donate Life Month to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of organ donation, making another tomorrow possible for someone in need.

Throughout the month, we encourage you to learn more about donation, have meaningful conversations and inspire those around you.

Check out the great resources we have available and join us in celebrating all month long! https://www.life-source.org/donate-life-month/

03/31/2026

Tomorrow marks the beginning of National Donate Life Month! To help bring light to the importance of organ donation, Chelsey Haukos sat down with Prairie Public to share her powerful journey living with cystic fibrosis, the road to a double lung transplant, and the recovery that followed her life-saving transplant.

Check it out! Her inspiring story is a great reminder of how organ donation can save lives and change families forever 💙🧡

Have you or someone you love been touched by organ donation?

April is National Donate Life Month and Chelsey Haukos shares her powerful journey living with cystic fibrosis, the road to a double lung transplant, and the long recovery that followed.

In a deeply personal conversation with her longtime friend and Prairie Public news reporter Danielle Webster, she reflects on resilience, motherhood, and how organ donation can save lives and change families forever.

🎧 Tune in to Main Street Tuesday, March 31, at 3pm and 7pm, to hear Chelsey's story.

03/30/2026

This April, we are excited to be hosting the 2nd annual workshop, Growing in Grief, at our LifeSource Headquarters in Minneapolis!

Get in touch with your creative side and join Susie Ausmus and Janet Allen, Donor Family Aftercare Program Administrators, along with Hillary Tyler, Advocacy & Ambassador Specialist, for a fun filled Saturday morning.

Donor families will have the opportunity to decorate their own planters and fill them with flowers to honor their loved ones, while learning more about the LifeSource Ambassador program and how you can advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation!

When: Saturday, April 18th from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Where: 2225 West River Road North, Minneapolis, MN 55411

For more information on how to register for this event, please visit our website https://www.life-source.org/events/donor-family-workshop-growing-in-grief-in-person/

03/30/2026

Looking for an opportunity to honor and celebrate your Donor Heroes who have given the gift of life through organ, eye, and tissue donation?

Donor Remembrance Day is coming up on April 30th. Check out the Donor Remembrance Garden, which is now open for submissions! Forget-me-not flowers are "planted" to symbolize that donor heroes and their gifts will always be remembered.

To ‘plant’ a forget-me-not flower in the virtual dedication garden in memory of your Donor Hero, fill out the form here - - https://aopo.org/donor-remembrance-day/remember-your-hero/

03/25/2026

In 2023, at just 20 years old, Adelyn lost her life in a motor vehicle accident. Although the grief will always remain, her mother, Vicki, has found joy in meeting the four individuals who got a second chance at life because of Adelyn's gift of organ donation.

"These four have become my new family. They are all doing great! One is expecting a baby this week and another just got engaged. They are LIVING their lives to the fullest because of my girl."

03/23/2026

Coyle was born early at 37 weeks, via emergency cesarean section.

After spending weeks in the neonatal care unit, Coyle was able to go home with his parents Kayla and Josh. But at just a few months old, Coyle’s kidney function began dropping. His doctors knew he would eventually need a transplant, but he needed to gain weight to undergo the surgery.

Before turning 1-years-old, Coyle’s kidney began to fail – he met the weight requirement and was healthy enough to be placed on the transplant list but would need to begin dialysis in a few months if that kidney didn’t come.

Coyle’s family also explored finding a living donor, but no one in the family was a match since Coyle was so small.

After 7 months of waiting, Coyle’s dad – a firefighter in Faribault, Minnesota – was working a 24-hour shift when they got the call on a Sunday night that there was a potential kidney for Coyle from a deceased donor.

Then, at 19 months old, Coyle underwent a successful transplant surgery and a long recovery which began at Mayo Clinic in Rochester before the family spent additional time at the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester.

“The first thing we did was go to the DMV and register [as organ donors],” said Kayla.

“How can I expect someone else to be a donor if I’m not willing?,” said Josh.

Now that they understand the need and impact firsthand, the Bauers are passionate about encouraging others to do the same.

“Picture Coyle, and ask yourself, ‘why not’,” said Josh. “After you pass away, you can’t take your organs with you anyways.”

The Bauers hope to someday meet the family of the young woman who saved Coyle’s life.

https://www.life-source.org/latest/organ-donor-saves-coyles-life-family-inspires-others-to-join-registry/

03/19/2026

We're excited to share that there is a new way to register as an organ donor! Now at select hospitals across the country, patients have the opportunity to register their decision directly through MyChart.

Not only can you register to become an organ donor, you can register to donate for research and education purposes. It's also important to note that your decision is not seen by your healthcare team.

This has already proven to be a success and we can't wait to share more updates! Thank you to Donate Life America and Epic for partnering to make this happen.

03/18/2026

“In the end, it wasn’t a miracle for us because she didn’t live, but it was a miracle for all the people she saved,” Jayson shares.

For Jayson and Michelle Pautzke, meeting the recipients of their daughters gifts, has been a profound reminder of her lasting impact. Through organ donation, they’ve seen how much love and hope she continues to spread.

Their daughter, Jaydan, had a zest for life. She had a fierce love for her family and an adventurous spirit. But at just 20 years old, her life was cut short in the blink of an eye.

Jaydan chose to register as an organ donor on her driver’s license when she was 16 years old. Her selfless choice meant that, even in death, she could offer others a second chance —something that only a small fraction of people are able to do.

Following in the footsteps of her adventurous spirit, Jayson and Michelle made it their mission to meet as many of the recipients of Jayden’s organs as they can – even if that means traveling across the country.

• Illinois to meet Jaseh, who received her liver
• Iowa to meet Shane who received her pancreas and kidney
• Texas to meet Tina who received a lung
• Minnesota to meet Carina who received her second kidney

Through this journey, they have been able to witness Jaydan’s legacy live on and have seen firsthand how one person really can make a difference.

Read more about the Pautzke family here (content warning: the full story touches on themes of su***de).

https://www.life-source.org/latest/jaydans-parents-journey-to-meet-organ-recipients/

03/17/2026

In 2020, at just three months old, Evelyn had her first heart surgery. It would be the first of many, as care teams worked to manage her heart condition.

Nine heart surgeries later and now, a vibrant and courageous six-year-old, she spends her days at the Mayo Clinic, waiting for a heart transplant and putting her childhood on hold.

Check out her inspiring story - -

Thank you to ABC 6 News - KAAL TV for sharing her journey with us!

https://www.kaaltv.com/news/lifestyle/a-heart-for-evelyn-a-childhood-on-hold-until-a-heart-is-found/

‘Please Let a Heart Come’: A Family’s Fight to Save 5-year-old Evelyn who is waiting on a lifesaving transplant

03/17/2026

March is National Kidney Month!

Over 37 million people in America suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease. Which means, monitoring kidney health is really important. Kidneys are also the most transplanted organ!

Learn more about risk factors, kidney health and transplantation from the experts! National Kidney Foundation

Learn about kidney transplantation, living donation, and post-transplant care. Get trusted info, support, and free education tools for patients and professionals interested in supporting kidney transplant.