Winners: Summer Donor Awareness Contest 2024
John Guidry
One donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance 75 more
Ora Gibson
One donor can save up to eight people’s lives, and my husband was one.
Carolina Arnold
I have been an organ donor awareness advocate for more than 30 years
John Downs
Consider registering and becoming an organ and tissue donor.
Our group activities...
This is a sample of some of the activities throughout the years
2013 - Holiday Trip
Glenda Pay, Twenty year Heart Recipient was the lucky winner of our "Holiday Trip" drawing. Glenda won (2) Airline Tickets anywhere Southwest flies.We are extremely grateful to Roger Radtke, Heart Recipient who generously donated the tickets. Monies earned will help the Heart Exchange Continue it's efforts of promoting donor awareness, funding short term financial needs for our patients, help fund research and patient support!
2014 - Annual Meeting
The 28th annual membership meeting of the Heart Exchange Support Group took place on Saturday, June 14th with great participation.
2014 - Crossing the finish line
Crossing the next finish line in New York!!
2014 - Financial Donation
St. Luke's foundation presented a check for $65,000 to the Heart Exchange Support Group during the January 15th Wednesday Support Group Meeting.This generous donation will allow the Heart Exchange Support Group, Inc. (a 501(c) (3), nonprofit, chartered in 1986) to continue to educate the general public about organ donation, and to provide financial support to the patients at St. Luke's. The Heart Exchange also makes funds available to St. Luke's nursing staff to further their professional growth through transplant-related seminars.
2014 - Transplant Games
Heart Exchange Support Group was a proud supporter of the Transplant Games of America that were held in Houston.. Recipients, donor families, living donors, volunteers and spectators made this a one of the greatest events of the year.
2015 - Bowling Tournament
Thank you to everyone that participated April 18th in our Bowling activity. Our gratitude to Palace Bowling Lanes (4191 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX 77025) as they provided free boliwng for our group. The lanes opened from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and every one had a great time. Many of our members brought their families and friends.
Prizes for: Highest Team Score, Highest Individual Score, Most Team Spirit, Turkey Neck. There were close to 40 teams - (4 person team).
2015 - Patient Visitation
Heart Exchange Support Group members welcomed spring with a visit to patients with a word of cheer and a small gift! Of course we couldn't forget our nursing staff. Bowls of candy were distributed to 12 tower, Cooley 8A /B and the Heart lung clinic. Thanks to the nurses and staff for all they do.
2016 - Bingo Social
At the July Heart Exchange social members and guests played BINGO for school supplies to give or donate. Winners were- Danielle Kellerman, Theresa Sturrock and Rebecca Holder. Kennedy Fields was the proud winner of a donated bag of school supplies.
2016 - Nurses Week
Members of the Heart Exchange celebrated the support that nurses provide to transplant patients. Thanks for making a difference and for being there for our patients and families. You make a difference
2017 - Costume Contest
Heart Exchange - Winner was the Hippie Wayne Holder and the Which Glenda Pay was 2nd. Kevin spencer was the lucky winner of guess how many candy jars! Lots of fun, food and fellowship!
2017 - Golf Classic
On Monday, October 7, 2013 the inaugural St. Luke' Heart Golf Classic was held at the beautiful Golf Club of Houston. The tournament, replacing the annual Heart Exchange Golf Classic was created to continue to help those affected by heart disease by raising funds for the cardiovascular programs at CHI St. Luke’s Health System and the Heart Exchange Transplant Support Group. With the help and participation of the sponsors and volunteers, the inaugural St. Luke's Heart Golf Classic was a HUGE success! Everyone enjoyed a fun and rewarding day.
2017 - Happy Halloween
Heart Exchange members proudly displayed their costumes' as they visited with transplant patients during Halloween Visitation. Along with a word of cheer, a pumpkin was distributed. The nurses were thrilled that they didn't have to say "Trick or Treat" to receive the bowls of their favorite chocolates and candies. Heart Exchange hosts a weekly social each Wednesday from 10:00am - 11:00am, 12th floor, yellow elevators, St. Luke's Medical Center.
April 2024 - Donor Awareness Month !!!
Hi, Family and Friends!
Every year at this time, the national spotlight shines on the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation, and the Heart Exchange Support Group needs your help to raise awareness and spark interest in this second lease on life. With more than 104,000 people currently waiting for life-saving transplants, the significance of donation awareness cannot be understated.
To help spread the word, the public in general was invited to submit a selfie showing your support of organ donation in their own unique way. The photos are posted below and the participants had a chance to win a $25 gift card.
John Guidry
April is National Donate Life Month! One donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance 75 more. Because of two donors, I have been given 24 more years of life thus far. On June 12, 2000, I received a Heart Transplant and on August 26 & 27, 2014 a Heart and Kidney Transplant.
I have been given more time with my family and friends. I would like to see others receive additional time with their loved ones as well. Each day approximately 17 people die waiting on a life saving transplant. If you are already a Donor, I thank you. If you aren’t a Donor, please consider becoming one by registering to be an Organ Donor
Carolina Arnold
I was in Marble Falls over the week-end of the Eclipse and made some Organ Donor Awareness bracelets and headbands, both of which I am wearing with my t-shirt.
I have been an organ donor awareness advocate for more than 30 years and am inspired by organ recipients and by the selfless gifts made by donor families.
John Downs
For Organ Donor Awareness month I would love to honor each and every donor and their family for making the tough and generous choice to donate their loved ones organs or one of the own organs to allow other people to live.
I received this beautiful gift of life, a second chance on May 8, 1989 when I received a new heart from the tragic death of my donor. I was 28 years old then and have experienced an extremely full life and honor my donor everyday. Grateful is an understatement and I hope that i have lived a life worthy of this gift. Please consider registering and becoming an organ and tissue donor.
Ora Gibson
April is National Organ Donor Awareness Month. One donor can save up to eight people’s lives, and my husband was one.
He received heart and kidney transplants May 5 and 6, 2022, and we were blessed to have him for nine more precious months that we wouldn’t have had.
Organ donation is not only a gift for the recipient but also the recipient’s loved ones. #heartexchange
2nd Chance Run
The LifeGift 2nd Chance Run honors organ, eye, and tissue donors in 109 Texas counties in North, Southeast, and West Texas.
While celebrating the lives saved and offering hope to those still waiting, the event raises awareness of the need for organ, eye, and tissue donation across the state.