EACH DAY, 17 PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES WHILE WAITING FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT.
GiftWorks believes this has to change. We’ve created a proven program that empowers organ transplant recipients, protects living donors, and saves lives, proving that giving in full trust… works.
COMPLETE DEDICATION TO
Our
Mission
GiftWorks believes patients and their living donors should feel equally supported, empowered, and part of an amazing exchange that is both lifesaving and beautiful. Just as patients deserve education, support, and advocacy, so too do the generous people who decide to save a life by becoming a living organ donor.
Serving Recipients & Donors
The GiftWorks’ program has three pillars designed to serve both recipients and those who step forward to become living donors. Our fundamental pillars are education, support, and advocacy.
Education
Knowing the benefits of living organ donation gives both recipients and their donors the information they need to confidently commit to transplantation. Both recipients and donors are provided with ongoing education and resources.
Support
Recipients in the GiftWorks’ program are provided with coaching, tools, and a proven step-by-step process led by guides who are experts in marketing so they can share their unique stories, leverage their network, and engage with possible donors.
Advocacy
Potential living donors receive information and guidance from GiftWorks throughout the transplant journey from experienced navigators who are living organ donors. Each navigator is committed to ensuring donors are fully aware of their rights and protections.
UNDERSTANDNG THE IMPACT OF
Living Organ Donation
In the last decade, GiftWorks has assisted numerous kidney and liver transplant recipients. While statistics reveal that living organ donation improves patient outcomes, most recipients struggle to “make the ask”.
Asking for help can make people feel incredibly vulnerable and guilty, especially when the request feels too great. Yet, one thing is very clear, when recipients commit to asking for help and remain engaged throughout the GiftWorks’ program, support shows up in the most miraculous ways.
100,000+
Patients are on the U.S. transplant deceased donor waiting list. They are becoming more ill as each day passes.
3-5 Years
Is the average amount of time a patient will wait to receive an organ from a deceased donor.
17
Patients will die each day while waiting for their transplant to happen. That's thousands of lives unnecessarily lost each year.
6,000
People choose to be living donors each year; they coruageously choose to be the solution to a solvable problem.
COMMUNITY ROOTED IN CAUSE & cONNECTION
Who We Are
When people unite to solve a problem, the results can be transformative. No other exchange is as powerful or heart-centered as living organ donation.
Pictured here are members of the GiftWorks’ community; brave recipients who made the ask and courageous donors who realized they were part of the ultimate solution.
Our Partners
Our Founders
GiftWorks is the result of people choosing to come together to share ideas, skills, resources, and innovative strategies to save lives. Formally established in 2023 by business partners Laurie Lee and Amber Khan, two successful entrepreneurs, GiftWorks intends to become a transformative leader in the field of organ transplantation.
Amber Khan
Managing Partner
Patient Support
Laurie Lee
Managing Partner
Living Donor Advocacy
2012
Transplant Village Founded
2013
First Recipient Campaign Launched
2016
Laurie Lee Kidney Donation
2017
Northwestern Kidney Champion Program Founded in Partnership with LKDN
2023
Completion of Pilot at University of Utah Health
2023 Pilot Program
University of Utah Health
The 10-patient pilot program was a collaborative effort between the University of Utah Health and GiftWorks which lasted 6 months. During the pilot, 10-patients and their living donor candidates had the opportunity to go through the entire GiftWorks’ program.
Throughout the duration of the 6-month pilot program, recipients had the opportunity to work with a highly qualified marketing expert who guided them through the GiftWorks’ process and served as source of support to both recipients and their families. Living donor candidates were given support, resources, and guidance throughout their donation journey by a knowledgeable living kidney donor (navigator) with years of transplant advocacy experience.
Phase 2 scheduled to commence Q1 of 2024 and has been generously funded by PKDO.
Results:
600%
Increase in Total Number of Living Donor Candidates
200+
Living Donor Candidates Mentored
40%
Participating Recipients Had Living Donor Transplants