Center for Organ Recovery & Education

12/21/2025

❤️ A group of "elves," including two past heart transplant patients, delivered gifts and hope to some current patients at a local hospital. Read more >>> wpxi.tv/4571gJ2

12/19/2025

Even Santa knows the importance of being a lifesaver ❤️🎅

This season, giving hope can be as simple as signing up to be an organ donor. One decision can save lives and create a lasting legacy for others.

Learn more and take the next step at core.org/register

12/18/2025

Every donor leaves behind a story of hope, generosity, and healing. In the CORE Gallery of Heroes, families share heartfelt tributes to those who have given the ultimate gift. Today, we honor Hailey Matheson — a true hero.

Her family shares, “Our sweet little girl Hailey was super lovable, smart and funny. Kind and curious. She had a big heart and a big smile. Hailey loved her family. She was the youngest of three sisters, our baby. Hailey was known for her giggles and laughs and silly noises. She knew how to make us smile and taught us to be adventurous, kind and humble...We can take comfort in knowing that through donation we were able to give someone else and their family more precious time together.”

Read her full tribute here: https://coreheroes.org/tribute/hailey-matheson/

12/16/2025

"When I was in my mid-50s, I began to experience slight shortness of breath. My breathing worsened in the next three years, becoming oxygen dependent 24/7. I was put on the lung transplant waiting list in 2019 at UPMC. I got the call from UPMC in May of 2020, and I was transplanted, spending 7 weeks in the hospital. I rang the survivor bell and gratefully left UPMC, where I received professional and compassionate care. In the miraculous 5 years post-transplant, I have had many wonderful experiences with family and friends. Being able to share in my daughter’s wedding, and, a year later, to see her have a beautiful baby boy. My biggest challenge was in my second year post-transplant; my daughter Audra, while pregnant, experienced lung failure and had to deliver her baby at 26 weeks. She was gravely ill, and her prognosis was dire. She, too, was now needing a double-lung transplant at 36 years old. UPMC called her, and she fought hard and is now a loving mother to a very rambunctious 3-year-old boy. Her journey is still difficult, as she continues to work hard to get stronger every day. I am able to help her with everyday responsibilities and chores. We have both been given this second chance at life because of an unselfish decision to be a donor. Words are not adequate to express how truly grateful and blessed my daughter and I are to be the recipients of such a beautiful gift." – Cindy 💙💚

12/15/2025

This holiday season, CORE was grateful to gather with our incredible CORE Advocates to celebrate the season and reflect on the impact they made throughout the year.

From sharing the message of donation in their communities to supporting events and outreach efforts, our advocates play a vital role in advancing organ, tissue, and cornea donation. We are deeply thankful for their time, passion, and dedication, and we truly could not do this work without them.

Thank you to all of our CORE Advocates for another meaningful year of service and for being such an important part of the CORE mission!

12/14/2025

Wishing you all light and good health this holiday season. May your Hanukkah shine bright with happiness and peace. 💙💚

12/12/2025

Myth Busting with CORE 💚

Myth: I’m too old, not healthy enough, or have a medical history, so I can’t sign up to be a donor.

Fact: Everyone can sign up to be an organ, tissue, and cornea donor. Medical professionals make the final determination at the time of donation, so don’t rule yourself out!

Learn more about donation and sign up here: https://core.org

12/11/2025

Every donor leaves behind a story of hope, generosity, and healing. In the CORE Gallery of Heroes, families share heartfelt tributes to those who have given the ultimate gift. Today, we honor Kevin Buczek — a true hero.

His family shares, “His dedication to his family was incredible, especially to his children. Nothing meant more to him than being a good father.”

Read his full tribute here: https://coreheroes.org/tribute/kevin-buczek/

Kevin Buczek unfortunately passed away at 30 years old on November 1st, 2020. He was a loving son, brother, father and uncle. He was born on September 19th, 1990. He leaves behind a son, Jax and two daughters, Josie and Aubrie (daughter of Ashley Mcnally). His fiancée was Sarah Plavko. Six nieces a...

12/10/2025

Whether your year felt a little naughty or mostly nice, the holidays are a time to share hope. 💚

Signing up to be an organ, tissue, and cornea donor is a simple act that can change and save lives!

Give hope this season at https://core.org/register/

12/09/2025

Donate Life America Story of Hope

"To my husband, my lifesaver, hero, my answered prayer, thank you for saying 'yes.' You gave me the gift of life twice: once when you became my husband, and again when you became my donor. I can never thank you enough. I’m so proud of you and thankful for you, forever. I love you more than words could ever describe. First, you gave me your heart, then you turned around and gave me your left kidney. Now, that’s what I call true love!" 💙💚 Kamri received a kidney from her husband, Lotanna, and shared their donation story with us:

In 2022, what I thought would be a quick urgent care visit turned into a life-changing moment. A doctor looked at me and said, “You’re not going home. You need to go to the ER.” My labs were dangerously off, and that day marked the beginning of a journey I never expected to take.
Fast forward through doctor visits, medications and endless prayers…by 2023, my kidney function had dropped to 32%. I tried to keep pushing, even as my body grew weaker, my feet swelled, and the fatigue became unbearable. By the time of our wedding in 2024, while it was the happiest day of my life, my body was silently fighting its hardest battle. Behind my smile was extreme pain, swelling and exhaustion. Just weeks later, I learned my kidney function had fallen to 4%. I cried harder than I ever had before.

In August 2024, I began dialysis: 4 hours per treatment, 3 days a week. When my husband told me he was filling out the form to be a potential living donor, I will never forget what he said: “God has given me a feeling that I’m supposed to be the one to do this for you.” On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 8AM, our lives changed forever. My husband donated his left kidney to me, and it started working immediately. This journey has been filled with lessons in faith, surrender and unconditional love. What could’ve been a story of despair became a testimony of God’s power, timing and the beauty of love in action. We’re walking into this new chapter grateful, blessed and stronger than ever. We’re both healing very well and on the road to a full recovery.

12/08/2025

A huge thank you to the Charleston Dirty Birds for helping us shine a light on organ donation this holiday season. Your support helps inspire more West Virginians to sign up and give hope!

12/05/2025

Myth vs. Fact Friday

Myth: Organs go to people who didn’t take care of theirs.

Fact: Most people waiting for a transplant were born with or developed medical conditions that led to organ failure. In fact, less than 5% of those on the transplant waiting list need a transplant because of their own behaviors or choices. And for those individuals, they must first achieve and sustain sobriety before they can even be listed for a transplant.

Everyone deserves hope — and organ donation saves and heals lives every single day.

Learn more: https://core.org/about-us/newsroom/fast-facts/

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