Center for Organ Recovery & Education

02/14/2026

"It means a lot to me and our family and his friends that his name is going to keep going on and he’ll be remembered for what he chose to do,” said Fields-Nichols. “He had actually chose that on his fishing license when he turned 15. He went to Cabela’s with my dad, and he chose to be an organ donor that day. And it means a lot to me to know that no matter what, even if he’s not here, his name will go on."

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK)– The West Virginia Legislature is recognizing National Organ Donation Day on Friday by honoring Timmy “Bub” Fields, a 15-year-old organ donor from Nitro. …

02/14/2026

Today is National Donor Day! A day to honor the generosity of organ, tissue, and cornea donors, celebrate transplant recipients, and recognize the families who make lifesaving decisions possible.

You can help us make an even bigger impact!

📲 Share the message.
💬 Start the conversation.
❤️ Encourage others to sign up to be an organ donor.

You can sign up here: https://registerme.org/campaign/core

02/13/2026

Tomorrow is National Donor Day 💙💚

It’s a day to honor the generosity of organ, tissue, and cornea donors, celebrate transplant recipients, and recognize the families who make lifesaving decisions possible.

You can help us make an even bigger impact.

📲 Share the message.
💬 Start the conversation.
❤️ Encourage others to sign up to be an organ donor.

We’ve made it easy. Download ready-to-share social media materials here:
👉 https://core.org/about-us/newsroom/

02/12/2026

Dr. Praise Matemavi is an abdominal transplant surgeon who specializes in liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, she brings both global perspective and deep personal conviction to her work at The University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she witnesses every day how organ donation transforms loss into life.

Dr. Matemavi is especially passionate about addressing the disparities in donation and transplantation that impact Black communities. In many of the families she serves, she sees a critical need for culturally grounded education, open dialogue, and myth-busting. Her mission is clear: to build trust, increase awareness, and empower individuals and families to make informed, life-saving decisions.

Through her work, she meets people at one of the most vulnerable and important moments of their lives. With compassion and clarity, she helps them understand that donation is not just a medical act—it’s a legacy of generosity and hope. Whether she is in the operating room, speaking at community events, or mentoring future physicians, Dr. Matemavi is dedicated to making transplant care more inclusive, accessible, and equitable.

Her message is simple but powerful: informed decisions save lives. And every story shared, every question answered, and every myth dispelled brings us closer to a system where every life has a fair chance.

Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation

02/11/2026

We were happy to recently spend time with students talking about organ, tissue, and cornea donation and the lifesaving impact one person can make.

Through open conversations, myth-busting education, and personal connections to donation, we help young people make informed decisions and encourage them to talk with their families about the gift of life.

Interested in bringing this important discussion to your classroom or student group? CORE offers in-school presentations and High School Student Camps designed to educate and inspire the next generation.

Learn more about our youth education programs here: https://core.org/community/community-education/youth-education/

02/11/2026

02/10/2026

"I was born with three congenital heart defects: coarctation of the aorta (my main heart artery was pinched off), multiple VSDs (holes), and spongy myocardium (spongy, non-compacted heart tissue…full of holes!). On my first birthday, when I had just 24-48 hours left to live, I received the gift of life from a 5-month-old in Iowa, named Cole.

Today, just over 25 years later, I’m healthy as can be. I have a lot of doctors and specialists following me, but I work as a registered nurse. I got married in October 2025 (to an amazing man), and we just celebrated our first year in our first house! I have a home full of pets and a truly amazing life! I never would’ve made it past my first year if it weren’t for the selfless act of organ donation.

This year, I’ll be competing in the Transplant Games of America for the 4th time, and I will finally be in the quarter-century club, something I’ve strived for my whole life." – Asia 💙💚



Donate Life America

02/09/2026

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 Jonathan Boyer — a true hero.

Read his full tribute here: https://coreheroes.org/tribute/jonathan-boyer/

02/06/2026

Dr. Clive O. Callender, Professor of Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine, is a trailblazer in the field of organ and tissue donation. Since 1973, he has led transformative initiatives, including developing the first minority-directed dialysis and transplant center in the U.S.

In 1991, Dr. Callender founded the National Minority Organ/Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP), the first organization to combine disease prevention with increasing organ donation rates. Under his leadership, minority donation rates rose from 15% in 1990 to 30% in 2008, with Black donor rates exceeding other populations by 2018.

Dr. Callender has received numerous accolades, including the Medal of Excellence from the American Association of Kidney Patients and the Pioneer Award from the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. Through his groundbreaking work and over 150 scientific publications, he remains dedicated to saving lives and empowering communities.

Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation

02/05/2026

“We are capable of overcoming anything when we can be vulnerable and let our human spirit soar, and let people fight for us when we can't fight for ourselves. I live every day in honor of my donors and full of gratitude.”

In 2001, Officer Jason Schechterle was responding to a call when a collision turned his patrol car into an inferno. Trapped inside, he suffered third- and fourth-degree burns over much of his body, and doctors were uncertain he would survive his injuries. Jason did survive, but the journey that followed was long and grueling. What carried him through was not only extraordinary medical care but the selfless generosity of his tissue donors – people he would never get to meet. Jason is keenly aware that his survival is tied to the decisions of donors and donor families who, in moments of unimaginable loss or quiet generosity, chose to help someone else. Jason believes that we all have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it, and that donation is one of the most profound ways to do so.

During National Burn Awareness Week, we recognize individuals like Jason not only for their resilience but also for what their stories reveal about humanity at its best: behind every survivor is a chain of compassion, and behind every recovery is a donor whose legacy lives on. 💙💚

Thank you to Solvita and Donate Life America for sharing this story with us!

02/04/2026

Join CORE in honoring the gift of life by volunteering at one of our upcoming events! Whether you're helping out at a tabling event or supporting a donor awareness activity, your time and energy help save and heal lives.

Browse and sign up for February opportunities here: https://core.givepulse.com/group/events/1272432

02/03/2026

"Andrew was first diagnosed with heart failure at just 18 years old. For years, he managed his symptoms while also navigating a complex health history that included diabetes and celiac disease. At 36, he was told he would need a heart transplant. He was admitted to Penn State Hershey to begin that journey, but in the weeks that followed, complications and setbacks arose, ultimately requiring a transfer to UPMC, the only center able to accept his urgent need for both a heart and kidney transplant.

On July 27th, through the selfless gift of an organ donor, Andrew was given a second chance at life – a chance to be a father, a husband, a son, a brother, and a friend. Andrew has fought countless battles and has always persevered, but we will forever be indebted to his donor and their family. Today, we advocate for others to consider registering as donors, in hopes of helping a family like ours. Because of this incredible gift, we have time together now. Andrew is thriving and doing the things he once only dreamed of." 💙💚

February is American Heart Month! More than 3,900 people in the U.S. are waiting for a donor heart.