Donate Life Connecticut

09/01/2026

💚 “In many ways, I became the person I once needed.”
Dr. Rachel Cavallaro almost didn't apply for the transplant psychologist position at Hartford Hospital. Nearly four years later, she's built a therapy program that helps transplant patients and living donors face fear, grief and life-changing uncertainty — drawing on lessons she first learned surviving a difficult childhood, competing in martial arts, and serving in the Army National Guard.

Her story is a powerful reminder that the emotional side of transplantation matters just as much as the medical side.

Read Dr. Cavallaro's full journey on our blog, and learn how you can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at donatelifect.org. 🔗

Hartford Hospital

08/31/2026

A heart transplant requires extraordinary preparation, skill, teamwork, and an extraordinary gift.

On October 3, Donate Life Connecticut will recognize Dr. Dina Al Rameni with a 2026 Transplant Hero Award at The Symphony of Life.

Join us as we honor Dr. Al Rameni and celebrate the entire community behind transplantation.

https://www.donatelifect.org/post/organ-donation-heart-transplant

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-symphony-of-life-2026-donate-life-connecticut-gala-tickets-1997174682237?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/29/2026

Some evenings stay with you.

Last year, Donate Life Connecticut brought together friends, healthcare professionals, recipients, donor families, advocates, and supporters for an evening filled with laughter, connection, gratitude, and purpose.

On October 3, we return to Hotel Marcel. This year, we gather to celebrate the extraordinary professionals behind transplantation.

Be in the room. Purchase tickets at our link in Bio

08/28/2026

We are honored to recognize Yale New Haven Hospital as a Symphony Sponsor of The Symphony of Life.

The Yale New Haven Transplantation Center provides heart, kidney, and liver transplantation and brings together surgeons, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, coordinators, and many other specialists to support patients before, during, and after transplant. Its multidisciplinary approach reflects something at the very heart of this year’s gala theme: transplantation is never the work of one person.

We are deeply grateful to Yale New Haven Hospital for standing with Donate Life Connecticut and helping us celebrate the extraordinary professionals, patients, donors, and families who make second chances possible.

Join us October 3 at Hotel Marcel for The Symphony of Life.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-symphony-of-life-2026-donate-life-connecticut-gala-tickets-1997174682237?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/25/2026

Every transplant has a story. And every story has a team.

Surgeons. Nurses. Transplant coordinators. Social workers. Donor professionals. Families. Recipients. Living donors. Advocates.

No one makes transplantation possible alone.

On October 3, Donate Life Connecticut will bring this extraordinary community together for The Symphony of Life Gala, an evening honoring Connecticut’s transplant professionals and celebrating the people who make second chances possible.

Join us for dinner, music, storytelling, awards, a silent auction, and a powerful evening of connection and hope.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Hotel Marcel, New Haven | Tickets: $150 + processing fee.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-symphony-of-life-2026-donate-life-connecticut-gala-tickets-1997174682237

08/23/2026

Meet Hartford Half Marathon charity bib team member Megan Serke ! 🏃🏻‍♀️💙💚

On October 10th, Megan will be running the HMF Events (Hartford Marathon Foundation) half marathon with a charity bib in support of Donate Life Connecticut — a cause that is deeply personal to her heart.

Megan is running in honor of her husband, who received a life-saving double lung and liver transplant (all due to complications from covid-19), and in memory of his 19 year-old donor hero.

“Because of one donor hero’s selfless decision, my husband is here today — here with me, here with our young children, and here to experience the moments we once feared we might never have together. There are no words that could ever fully express the depth of my gratitude to the person and family who gave our family this incredible gift. Their decision didn’t just save one life; it gave an entire family more time, more memories, more love, and a future together. If you’ve ever wondered whether becoming an organ donor can make a difference, I hope you let that truly sink in: your decision could be someone else’s second chance at life. I will forever carry gratitude for our donor hero, and I’m incredibly thankful for the Donate Life community that has become family to us. 💙💚” — Megan

Megan’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every transplant is a donor hero and a family forever grateful for the gift of life. Please consider registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor and help spread awareness about this life-saving choice.

To every donor family who has made the ultimate gift: thank you will never be enough. 💚💙



Join our team here: https://register.hakuapp.com/?event=7866d5480efbe85229e9&promoter_name=donate-life-connecticut-5&registration_type=application&fbclid=IwdGRjcAT4DtBwZG9mAWZkaWQWUNDo-OX3bBuehxvRkj_wEKYVp_aehWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7Yl8wVEIVIO7PwAAq-WUa77oFs7WlfybqnqTT-VdaYRXBTY0B2kDp1TQeIVA_aem_KOiZQyfOVoHsau2wKfWsHQ

08/14/2026

Still looking for something to do with the kids this weekend??

KevFest is more than an event—it’s a celebration of life, community, and giving back. Together, we gather to honor the memory and legacy of Kevin Guiheen while supporting a cause that meant so much to him.

❤️ All proceeds benefit Donate Life Connecticut, helping raise awareness and support for organ and tissue donation.

Bring your friends, family, lawn chairs, and dancing shoes this Saturday afternoon, August 15, from 1-5 PM at the Talcott Mountain Collective for an afternoon filled with:

🎵 Live music from talented local musicians
🎧 DJ entertainment
🍔 Fat City Kid Food Truck
🍻 Local craft brews
🎨 Face painting & tie dye
🌿 Family-friendly lawn games and activities
🎟️ Raffles benefiting Donate Life CT

BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kevfest-memorial-family-festival-2026-tickets-1992841636982

08/13/2026

Share it loud and proud and keep raising awareness for our hero donor families, living donors, recipients and people still waiting!💚💪🏻💙

Every year on August 13, World Organ Donation Day reminds us of both how far medical science has come and how much work is left to do.

The date honors a monumental moment in healthcare: Dr. Christiaan Barnard’s groundbreaking 1967 heart transplant. But more than a historical milestone, today is a vital reminder of the thousands of men, women, and children currently waiting for a life-saving match.

The gap between those in need of a transplant and the organs available is still vast. Every single day, lives are lost simply because time ran out.

World Organ Donation Day exists to break the silence around organ shortage. It is a day to reflect on the profound gift of life, honor the generosity of donors and their families, and keep hope alive for everyone still waiting on a call. 💚

08/12/2026

KevFest is more than an event—it’s a celebration of life, community, and giving back. Together, we gather to honor the memory and legacy of Kevin Guiheen while supporting a cause that meant so much to him.

❤️ All proceeds benefit Donate Life Connecticut, helping raise awareness and support for organ and tissue donation.

Bring your friends, family, lawn chairs, and dancing shoes this Saturday afternoon, August 15, from 1-5 PM at the Talcott Mountain Collective for an afternoon filled with:

🎵 Live music from talented local musicians
🎧 DJ entertainment
🍔 Fat City Kid Food Truck
🍻 Local craft brews
🎨 Face painting & tie dye
🌿 Family-friendly lawn games and activities
🎟️ Raffles benefiting Donate Life CT

BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kevfest-memorial-family-festival-2026-tickets-1992841636982