During the holiday season—and in the spirit of giving back—students dedicated their time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to handmake memorable keepsakes for organ donation families. These heartfelt creations will serve as lasting reminders of their loved one who has given the ultimate gift: a second chance at life.

 

For the second year in a row, students at St. Francis of Assisi spent time during the holiday season cutting, tying and creating fleece blankets to provide comfort for those who have lost a loved one. Each blanket the students made will be given to local hospitals and placed on organ donors during their final moments. After their passing, the blanket will be given to their family to provide comfort and peace in remembrance of their loved one who has given the ultimate gift – a second chance for someone awaiting a life-saving transplant.

 

The initiative not only fostered a sense of empathy and compassion among the students but emphasizes the profound impact of organ donation. Fourth grade student George Koehler recognizes how selfless and generous organ donation is, saying, “How brave those people who are donating parts of their body are, and all of the stuff they had to go through, and like how generous and kind they are to do that for other people. A lot of times, they don’t even know who it is going to.” This project taught elementary school students that though their impact may feel small, it is mighty, and they have the power to spread joy this holiday season.

 

Gina Biats, a first-grade teacher at St. Francis of Assisi, has her own experience with organ donation as she donated a kidney to her brother. She told her story to further educate students on the important subject of organ donation and serve as a real-world example to those who may not have a tangible connection with donation.

 

At the end of the day, over 225 blankets were donated to local hospitals. The blanket project was a combined effort from both St. Francis of Assisi in Gates Mills and University School in Hunting Valley.

 

Lifebanc is Northeast Ohio’s organ procurement organization and its mission to its core is to save and heal lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation. Committed to making a positive impact in the realm of organ donation, Lifebanc tirelessly works to raise awareness and facilitate the organ donation process. But beyond the physical act of donation, Lifebanc’s mission focuses on cultivating messages hope and revival by supporting their donor families, but also the community.

 

Everything Lifebanc does is driven by two goals: providing a second chance at life to those waiting and supporting the families of donors. But they cannot end our nation’s organ shortage alone. They need your help. To find ways on how you can get involved, visit lifebanc.org.

 

If you aren’t already, the easiest way to help give back is to register to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor online or at your local BMV. Then, share that decision with your family and friends!

 

You can also help Lifebanc in this special project by contributing (via QR code) to create comfort for heroes who give the Gift of Life and their grieving families.