Community Invited to National Donor Sabbath Service on November 13
October 29, 2026
HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital will bring together community members, hospital colleagues and donation advocates for its 2026 National Donor Sabbath Service at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the new St. Clare of Assisi Chapel.
The service will recognize the life-changing impact of organ, eye and tissue donation, and honor the generosity of donors, the families who make donation possible, donor recipients and those still waiting for a transplant. Candles will be lit in their honor, as well as for the healthcare workers who care for them throughout the donation and transplant process.
Featured participants include representatives from Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, ImpactLife and Eversight. Christy Nachtrieb, a liver transplant recipient, also will share her perspective on the gift of donation and the difference it can make in a person’s life.
“Hospitals have an important role in making organ donation possible,” said Lindsay Paradee, Director of Nursing at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. “Our teams help recognize when donation may be an option and connect families with organizations like Gift of Hope to guide them through the process. These conversations often happen during an incredibly difficult time, and we are honored to help families understand the opportunity to give others more time, hope and life.”
National Donor Sabbath is observed each November to encourage reflection and conversation about organ, eye and tissue donation within faith communities and beyond. “This service allows us to recognize everyone touched by donation, including the patients, families and healthcare workers who are part of that journey,” Paradee said.
The service provides an opportunity to remember those who have given the gift of donation, support those awaiting a transplant and celebrate the recipients whose lives have been changed.
To learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation or to register as a donor, visit www.GiftofHope.org.
The service will recognize the life-changing impact of organ, eye and tissue donation, and honor the generosity of donors, the families who make donation possible, donor recipients and those still waiting for a transplant. Candles will be lit in their honor, as well as for the healthcare workers who care for them throughout the donation and transplant process.
Featured participants include representatives from Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, ImpactLife and Eversight. Christy Nachtrieb, a liver transplant recipient, also will share her perspective on the gift of donation and the difference it can make in a person’s life.
“Hospitals have an important role in making organ donation possible,” said Lindsay Paradee, Director of Nursing at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. “Our teams help recognize when donation may be an option and connect families with organizations like Gift of Hope to guide them through the process. These conversations often happen during an incredibly difficult time, and we are honored to help families understand the opportunity to give others more time, hope and life.”
National Donor Sabbath is observed each November to encourage reflection and conversation about organ, eye and tissue donation within faith communities and beyond. “This service allows us to recognize everyone touched by donation, including the patients, families and healthcare workers who are part of that journey,” Paradee said.
The service provides an opportunity to remember those who have given the gift of donation, support those awaiting a transplant and celebrate the recipients whose lives have been changed.
To learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation or to register as a donor, visit www.GiftofHope.org.
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Andrew Dilbeck
Communications & Public Relations Specialist