New England Donor Services

03/27/2026

NEDS volunteer, Stephanie King, nominated her workplace, Buxton Center Elementary School in Buxton, Maine, for NEDS’ Employer Recognition Award for providing long-lasting support during her daughter Emily’s double lung transplant journey.

Emily received her first double lung transplant at two years old, and just recently, received her second at seven years old after going into chronic rejection. Within the past five years, Stephanie has spent countless hours volunteering with NEDS, supporting recipients on their transplant journeys, offering support to families, and reminding the public of the importance of becoming a donor.

NEDS Manager of Volunteers Jennifer Cray presented the award to Principal Craig Pendleton and Assistant Principal Molly Mingione this week.

The NEDS Employer Recognition Award is given to employers or workplaces that went above and beyond in support of an employee or the employee’s family during their organ donation or transplant experience.

03/27/2026

LAST CHANCE for Early Bird registration for New England Donor Services’ 3rd Annual Golf Outing! We are excited to be back at the Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough, MA, on Monday, June 8th! Early Bird Registration ends on April 1st! Sign up today so you don’t miss out!

Visit https://www.golfinvite.net/neds to sign up!

03/26/2026

Tamara Sexton is a Hospital Donation Strategist II (HDS) who has been at New England Donor Services since July 2019. Tamara met Craig Tucker, NEDS’ Senior Director of Donation Strategy, when she was an ICU nurse. Craig suggested she apply to NEDS based on her skills and compassionate personality. She applied without hesitation because of the impactful mission of NEDS. “I enjoy being able to work within my community as an HDS, and I am grateful to have maintained the relationships I built working as an ICU nurse.”

“I love that no day is the same in my role. To see the generosity from the families of donors, while helping to save countless lives, is truly an honorable purpose for me. I am sincerely honored to be a part of this team.”

Craig had nothing but great things to say about her: “Tamara is the consummate professional. She has an incredible work ethic that helps foster strong relationships with our hospital partners, which is critical to remaining steadfast in our mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation.”

Thank you, Tamara, for all of your hard work at NEDS!

If you are interested in joining New England Donor Services, visit neds.org/careers!

03/26/2026

The CT Blue and Green Walk/5k is just ONE MONTH away! Be a part of the region's premier event dedicated to raising awareness for organ and tissue donation!

Hayley Brown from The Transplant Team of Connecticut will be participating in the CT Blue & Green Walk/5K this year for the 6th TIME!!

“I walk for organ donation because in 2019 I was lucky enough to be able to share my spare and give the gift of life to Erick Kulig, my fiancé. Organ donation has made it possible to have years more of adventures and life with my best friend. Most importantly, it has provided us with the ability to start our family. We will forever be grateful for what's been possible! The Blue and Green walk is a wonderful opportunity to walk in memory of, honor of, or alongside those who are part of the organ and tissue transplant community!”

Join us on April 26th for a day filled with love, hope, and remembrance! Sign up your team today at https://www.classy.org/event/2026-connecticut-blue-and-green-walk-5k/e746000!

03/26/2026

The CT Blue and Green Walk/5k is just ONE MONTH away! Be a part of the region’s premier event dedicated to raising awareness for organ and tissue donation! Sign up today at bluegreenwalk.org or click the link in our bio!!

03/25/2026

Braving the cold waters for donation! NEDS volunteer Liz Sandeman participated in the Polar Plunge at Lake Pearl in Wrentham over the weekend, holding her Donate Life sign high! Thank you, Liz, for always being a strong advocate for donation!

03/24/2026

Scott Nerney’s wife, Karen, had a massive brain bleed stroke the day before Valentine’s Day. She passed on February 26th and was able to save 3 lives through the gift of donation after her death.

“Karen was a baker and loved making Armenian and English dishes. She was a Michael Bublé fan, having attended over 30 of his concerts. She would have her 3 best friends over every Wednesday to “watch a show,” but it was really a gab session. I called it the Wednesday Night Girls Club - a Tradition I have continued since her passing.”

“Each person who makes the donation decision for their terminal loved one heals differently. Some may use counseling therapy, family support, spiritual guidance, and the services that New England Donor Services offers. For me, it was a few months working with horses because for me their unique sense of empathy is second to none. Additionally, what helped was writing to the recipients. When that 1st letter came back, I stared at it for hours before taking the courage to open it, trying to imagine Karen channeling to me from it. Who are they, what did they receive, what is their journey? I opened, and I began to learn about Karen’s legacy continuing.”

“Her birthday continues to be on October 27th, I say CONTINUES because a man will celebrate with her kidney, a woman is finally getting to leave her home for the 1st time in years and see her family and friends again thanks to a new kidney. And a man received her liver.”

“Decades ago, Karen’s sister received a Cornea transplant to preserve her eyesight, and from that day on, Karen wanted to repay that anonymous person’s gift. I know it goes way beyond checking a box on a driver’s license renewal. Thank you to the amazing people at NEDS who helped me understand the process in the hospital, and who are often there 24/7, working in front of and behind the scenes. They were always there with a hug, a shoulder to cry on throughout the process. I thank the countless coordinators, surgical team members, and so many more for their patience.”

Thank you, Scott, for sharing your story and for advocating for donation in honor of Karen.

If you are interested in sharing your story, fill out the form here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019cfd078e6773cbb068c0d02e102896

03/20/2026

In September 2025, Amanda Erard donated her kidney to a stranger in her town. On March 12, Amanda finally got to meet her recipient, Lena! Now, Amanda will join Team New England and compete in Colorado this summer at the Transplant Games of America!

“This photo is of me right before heading into my living kidney donation surgery in September 2025. On Christmas Eve 2024, I saw a flyer in a local bakery stating that a mother of 2 right in my town desperately needed a kidney. As a mother of 2, this hit me hard. I’m delighted to say that I was a perfect match for her, and we are both doing well! It was one of the greatest joys of my life to meet Lena and her family earlier this month!”

“A week before my surgery, I discovered the Transplant Games of America in a magazine I picked up at the transplant clinic during my final pre-op appointments. What an awesome way to stay healthy while advocating for living organ donation! I decided right then to revive my swimming training and enter TGA 2026 as part of Team New England.”

Thank you, Amanda, for being a part of Team New England to advocate for donation!

Check out Amanda's fundraising page here: https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/688673! Transplant Life Foundation

03/19/2026

This week, NEDS celebrated Chuck Hollis, who is retiring from his role as Deputy Administrator at the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles after 20+ years of service! NEDS is proud to have so many fantastic donation champions throughout the region, including Chuck, who has been a donation champion for years! His work, dedication, leadership, and professionalism have been greatly appreciated throughout his tenure.

Thank you, Chuck and all DMV staff, for your dedicated service and for supporting the donation mission!

03/19/2026

Doreen S. Vetro will be participating in the CT Blue & Green Walk/5k on April 26th for the FIRST TIME! Doreen is a living kidney donor and is participating to raise awareness for donation.

“I'm participating in the Blue & Green 5K because I am a kidney donor, and I want to encourage others to sign up to be organ donors. I had a brother who donated many organs when he died at 32. That was part of what inspired me to donate. It will be nice to connect with some other donors and recipients. I am glad my recipient is doing so well, and others waiting for kidneys were able to move up on the waiting list.”

Thank you, Doreen, for participating to bring awareness to donation. You can view Doreen's fundraising page at: https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/6996335

You can sign up for the CT Blue & Green Walk/5K here: https://give.classy.org/2026ctbluegreen

03/18/2026

10 years after his wife, Shalah, received the Gift of Life with a heart transplant, Christian is running in the Boston Marathon for Tufts Medical Center, where Shalah received her transplant!

"It's been on my bucket list for a really long time. It felt like a really, really special time to actually do this thing and make it happen."

Hear more of Shalah & Christian’s story below.

Husband and father is using Boston Marathon run to raise awareness and funds.