Center for Organ Recovery & Education

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Center for Organ Recovery & Education

We honor donors, support families, & inspire communities to give the gift of life.

The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is a nonprofit organ procurement organization dedicated to saving & healing lives through organ, tissue, & cornea donation.

12/29/2025

"Around 16 years ago, my wife, April, was diagnosed with kidney disease. Knowing we had the same blood type, I told her from the start that, without hesitation, I would give her a kidney if we were compatible.

Fast forward to about a year ago. Her health started declining, and she started seeing her nephrologist more often. We definitely wanted to do all we could to keep her from starting dialysis. She was eventually referred to The Ohio State University Werner Medical Center. After all the testing and appointments, I was approved as her living donor. Three weeks later, on October 10, 2025, she received one of my kidneys. The morning after surgery, I was up walking, and her labs were already better than they had been in well over 10 years. I spent two nights in the hospital, and she was discharged after four nights. We have now been home for just over two weeks, and today we are celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary with many, many more to celebrate in the future. Recovery hasn’t been without its hurdles, but with all the support we’ve received from our family and friends, it has been easier.

Needless to say, this has greatly improved my wife’s and our family’s overall quality of life. I also can’t describe what this act has done for my own self-confidence and feeling of self-worth. Having been registered organ donors for many years, donation now has renewed importance and a special place in our lives." –Michael. Donate Life America

12/26/2025

Each day of Kwanzaa celebrates a principle, starting with Unity and ending in Faith. To all celebrating this week, may peace, love, and unity bring you a ! 💙💚

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! Sending you all wishes of love and joy this holiday season. 💙💚

12/24/2025

Santa’s checking his list twice—and this is one list you don’t want to forget! 🎅✨

Take a moment to sign up to be an organ donor and give hope that lasts far beyond the holidays. Sign up here: core.org/register

12/23/2025

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY 🗓️ | December 23, 1954

The first successful human kidney transplant was performed by Joseph Edward Murray in Boston.

The transplant took place between identical twins, making it possible for the recipient’s body to accept the kidney. That recipient went on to live eight more years—a breakthrough moment that helped lay the foundation for modern organ transplantation.

More than 70 years later, donation continues to save and heal lives every day. 💚

12/22/2025

Looking for another meaningful way to give this holiday season? Volunteering with CORE is a powerful way to support donation, honor donors and their families, and help save and heal lives in our community. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, your support makes a difference!

Sign up to volunteer today: https://core.org/volunteer/volunteer-application/

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. 💙💚

Address

204 Sigma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
15238

Telephone

+14129633550

Website

http://www.core.org/, http://www.core.org/register

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