Author: Ashley Garvey

 May 28, 2026

I had the pleasure recently of joining a workshop held by Elisse Glennon Consulting titled “The Power of Philanthropy in Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation” at the Meadowlands Chamber Business Hub in New Jersey. It welcomed professionals from across the organ, eye, and tissue donation communities to discuss the importance and impact of philanthropy in the field. It was deeply impactful for me, allowing me to hear the perspective of organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and nonprofit organizations and what philanthropy means to them and their work.

One of the first and most important lessons I learned was that a “thank you” can go a long way. The donation and transplant community is defined by the selflessness of others, and expressing gratitude for that selflessness is one of the most important things we can do. Our work in this field begins with and relies on individuals registering their decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor and helping to save the lives of more than 100,000 people in the United States waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Without that selflessness from donor heroes, none of this lifesaving work would be possible. This work would also not be possible without the people and teams at OPOs and other nonprofits raising awareness about donation and transplantation and beyond.

Going Above and Beyond

During the workshop, I was privileged to sit in a room amongst individuals whose mission is to create, coordinate, and direct philanthropy at their organizations. I listened to stories about donors, about recipients given a second chance at life, and about how families and loved ones navigate the difficult decisions surrounding organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplant. My takeaway is that I believe the public fails to see all the “extra” things these organizations do but don’t necessarily seek credit for. For people who aren’t familiar with organ donation, it may seem like a simple process, one that begins with the donor and ends with the recipient. In reality, it is far more complex than it appears. What most don’t account for are the days and months these OPOs and nonprofits can spend with donor or recipient families offering support, comfort, or aftercare in the wake of a donation or transplant. This comes in the form of anything from a hotel room with a hot shower to a basket with toiletries and snacks. Most importantly, these OPOs and nonprofits offer families a platform to tell donor stories or connect donor families with recipients to see how their loved one’s gift lives on.

Supporting philanthropic initiatives like the ones mentioned above, volunteering, raising awareness with coordinated campaigns, or financial contributions are some of the most important things we (individuals and industry organizations alike) can do. Donation and transplantation rely on generosity that extends beyond donor gifts.

Key Takeaways

Organ Recovery Systems (ORS) is an industry partner to many of the organizations who attended this workshop, so one of my goals when attending was to understand how we as an organization can show up better and offer the most support to our partners. First, as I stated before, is to express a sincere “thank you” for everything they do. Their work is hard and emotionally demanding, but rewarding and tied to a greater mission, and they show up every day for donor and recipient families. Second, is for us to be consistent and show up year over year, knowing our contributions have a direct impact on the lives of donor and recipient families. Lastly is to be unwavering in our support of these organizations, even in the face of adversity. Organ, eye, and tissue donation have faced some scrutiny in the past, which was damaging to the community and jeopardized the chances for recipients to receive a lifesaving donation. We must stand behind our partners and ensure they have the resources, the support, and the reach to continue their work despite possible disruptions.

Attending this workshop had a big impact on my perspective and how I view my work at ORS. While my day-to-day efforts support the innovation and distribution of technologies that support organ recovery and transport (work that is impactful and lifesaving in its own right), I am aware that we are just one piece of a much larger community. The stories shared by our OPO and nonprofit partners were a powerful reminder of where that work ultimately leads. Through donor and recipients’ stories they steward and amplify, we can see our impact reflected back at us. Organ, eye, and tissue donation does not succeed through a single organization or action, but instead with everyone moving forward together with a connected mission. By investing in and standing behind the philanthropic efforts of our partners, we strengthen the entire donation and transplant community and reaffirm that the true power of our work is realized through the families and the stories it impacts.