top of page

In The News: Organ Donor Day on Valentine’s Day

HeartBrother Hamid Madahvy joins New England Donor Services and Holyoke Mayor to spread the word about organ donation.

Mayor Alex Morse hosted Organ Donor Day at City Hall, joined by donor recipients and local organizations. 



Holyoke residents encouraged to become organ donors on Valentine’s Day


Article By: Sy Becker

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Feb 14, 2019 – This Valentine’s Day was Organ Donor Day in Holyoke, meant to raise awareness and encourage people to become organ donors.

Twenty-two Americans die every day waiting for an organ transplant. 80 percent of the 113,000 Americans needing a transplant are waiting for a kidney.

People were encouraged to “Have a Heart,” and register to become organ donors. 22News was introduced to Richard Purcell, who donated his kidney to save the life of his chronically ill sister.


“All of my family was tested; I was the perfect match,” Purcell told 22News. “She got a kidney in 1994, and she lived 22 years with that kidney.”

Hamid Mahdavy of Wilbraham told 22News he received a heart transplant 12-years-ago after being told by his doctor he had just five years to live.

Glen Wiley of Granby’s grateful someone had a liver that saved his life. “I was afraid I wouldn’t see my son graduate from high school; he was a sophomore at the time,” Wiley explained. “Now he’s a sophomore in college. We go skiing together.”

In Massachusetts, all one has to do to become an organ and tissue donor is notify the Registry of Motor Vehicles and you will be designated as an organ or tissue donor on your driver’s license.


Comments


Your contribution helps us continue to provide life-giving Heart Failure programming.
With all our hearts, we thank you for your support.

SPECIAL THANKS

2025 Corporate Sponsors

AdobeStock_75505305.jpeg

Immediately After a Hospital Visit from The HeartBrothers

"Pat and Bob were living proof we would survive...that this was all part of our journey. After meeting the HeartBrothers, I remember Nick saying that when all this was over he would be a HeartBrother too. It made me smile because it showed me Nick had not given up hope despite how sick he was...he was thinking about our future."

- Michelle, Caregiver

SUPPORT US

There are so many ways you can support the HeartBrothers and Sisters.

HeartBrothers_Vertical-FullColor-LightBG.png
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
ONLY LOVE IS REAL
DON'T MISS A HEARTBEAT

Join our email list.

GET A STORY WITH HEART

Submit media inquiries below.

© 2025 HeartBrothers Foundation  |  Terms & Conditions  |  Privacy Policy  Refund Policy  |  Brochures Tax Information 

Web design by NKB

bottom of page