Season of Gratitude: A Tribute to Those Who Make the Gift of Life Possible
Across Texas, acts of generosity and selflessness shape Southwest Transplant Alliance’s (STA) lifesaving mission—from volunteers who devote their time to the donor heroes and families whose decisions give the gift of life to grateful transplant recipients.
The 2025 through-line was clear: honoring the gift of life is never the work of one person alone. It is carried forward by a community made up of those who say “yes” to making the gift of life possible for others, hospital professionals who act with empathy, advocates who use their voices, and partners who walk alongside STA in caring for heroic donors and supporting their courageous families together. Per Donate Life Texas, with more than 10,000 Texans awaiting a lifesaving transplant, this season offers a meaningful opportunity to recognize all those who usher hope.
Hospital Partners: Standing Together in Service
STA’s hospital partnerships continue to serve as a cornerstone of the shared purpose of saving lives. The success of organ and tissue donation is made possible through the exceptional collaboration of nurses, physicians, chaplains, administrators, respiratory therapists, and many others.
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to our hospital partners, whose commitment and compassion make organ, eye, and tissue donation possible,” said Aubrie Butler, STA’s Manager of Hospital Services. “Every successful donation reflects the tireless teamwork of all hospital staff who go above and beyond for donors and families. We are deeply thankful for their partnerships and the extraordinary impact they make every day.”
Community Partners, Volunteers & Student Advocates: Extending Hope to Texans
Beyond hospital walls, STA is grateful for the people and organizations who help extend the message of donation into the surrounding community. Their work, grounded in connection and education, creates a network that invites Texans to register their decision and become donation advocates.
Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) members rally their peers in high schools, opening early conversations about the impact of donation. Volunteers represent STA in the community at health fairs, in places of worship during National Donor Sabbath, and in many other settings where trust and dialogue are at the forefront. Others offer support by assembling family care kits for newly bereaved donor families, creating small but meaningful gestures of comfort during incredibly difficult moments. Together, these efforts reflect a commitment that increases donation awareness—an impact STA finds paramount in its outreach.
Donor Heroes and Families: The Heart of the Mission
At the center of every transplantation story are the donor heroes and the families who chose to give the gift of life amid profound grief and loss. Their courage transforms tragedy into hope, creating futures that would not exist without their selfless decision.
“In the midst of tremendous loss, our donor heroes and their families show us the true meaning of generosity,” shared Stacy Redmon, STA Donor Family Support Liaison. “Their legacy lives on in every life they save. As they step into their next chapter as courageous donor families, we’re incredibly humbled and inspired to walk alongside them.”
Stories of Hope: Transplant Recipients and Their Families
Many transplant recipients spend months or even years waiting for the gift of life—time that becomes more holidays celebrated, milestones regained, and meaningful moments once thought out of reach.
For former NBA star Scot Pollard, the 2024 Christmas season felt especially distant, marked by dwindling hope, as he faced the urgent need for a heart transplant, as reported by the Indy Star. That hope was restored in the months that followed, thanks to donor hero Casey Angell. Often described as a helper, Angell left behind a legacy that continues to beat on.
Amid the profound gratitude expressed by transplant recipients, STA is deeply grateful as well for the stories that restore faith and offer hope to those still awaiting a lifesaving gift.
As the year draws to a close, STA is reminded that our impact is shaped by the strength of the communities we serve. The combined efforts of hospital partners, volunteers, advocates, donor families, and recipients continue to move donation forward in meaningful, measurable ways. This holiday season, we celebrate and thank all who inspire hope in the donation and transplantation community.