Heart of a Hero
Organ, eye and tissue donors save lives
More than 5,000 neighbors and friends are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant across the state of Florida. These individuals join the more than 100,000 U.S. children and adults whose only hope is someone saying, “Yes,” to organ donation. Orlando resident, Don Anacker, knows what it was like to be sick and to wait. In November 2011, he received the phone call that changed his life. A family said “Yes” to organ donation, and he would receive the Gift of Life through a new heart. Don and his wife, Maxine, came to learn his hero’s name, Trevin Reddick. With time, the family became close with Trevin’s mother, Renee Jones.
“Every day that goes by is deeply treasured,” said Anacker. “What most organ recipients, their caretakers, in my case my wife Maxine, experience is indescribable and unimaginable. Through the Gift of Life, Renee and her family made it possible for me to become a recipient of her son’s heart.”
Today, the Anacker family holds a close and personal relationship with their hero’s extended family. Renee joins Don in honoring her son for making life possible for others. Together, they celebrate Trevin’s Gift of Life and educate the community on the impact one “yes” makes.
“This is by far the hardest challenge I have ever faced in my life, to work to earn this precious gift. Trevin provides me with life, and we are together as one every day,” said Anacker.
Approximately 17 Americans die each day waiting for a phone call that never comes. Each person has the power to save eight lives through vital organ donation, give sight to two people through cornea donation and provide healing and mobility to 75 more through tissue donation. Don honored his hero, Trevin, at the annual GR8 to DON8 Run for Organ Donation, Central Florida’s premier race celebrating the Gift of Life. One of the many ways he continually thanks his hero.
Every day the caring community registers as lifesaving organ, eye, and tissue donors when renewing their driver’s license. Show us your heart! If you are a registered donor we invite you to join us at GR8 to DON8 Run for Organ Donation on April 6th in Longwood, Florida. This unique 5k/8k event brings together registered donors, organ recipients and families who honor their loved one as an organ donor hero. You can learn more at www.RunforOrganDonation.com. Each registration includes a chip-timed bib, medal and tech tee. Use discount code: GR8COMMUNITY to receive $5 off.
3rd Annual AvalonPark Donate Life Pinwheel Garden
In celebration of National Donate Life Month, Avalon Park Innovator Award winner Evolution Medical Technologies has partnered with Donate Life Florida and Central Florida’s organ procurement organization, OurLegacy, for the 3rd Annual Avalon Park Donate Life Pinwheel Garden displayed at Absolutely Avalon, on Saturday, April 13th from 5-9 pm in Town Park. This year’s pinwheel garden will honor the 255 Central Florida donor heroes who gave the ultimate gift of life in 2023. Each Pinwheel represents a life and endless legacy and is a symbolic reminder to the community of the power of the Gift of Life through organ, eye, and tissue donation. To learn more about this life-saving mission and the importance of donation, please join us in this celebration of the Gift of Life.
It’s never too late to start a conversation with your family about your personal wishes for organ, eye and tissue donation. You can register as a lifesaving donor when renewing your driver’slicense or online today at www.DonateLifeFlorida.org.
