Mayor hosts organ donors, honors recipients at special City Hall event

Encouraging citizens to “check the heart” and become organ donors

By Tara Vocino

REVERE – In light of Valentine’s Day this week, people were encouraged to check the heart on their driver’s license to become an organ donor at a City Hall drive last Friday.

In 2023, 1,401 lives were saved in New England by organ donation. With more than 6,300 individuals in New England currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, Mayor Patrick Keefe, Jr. declared February 14 “Have a Heart & Give a Heart Day” in recognition of those touched by organ and tissue donors citywide. On February 9, New England Donor Services, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, were joined by four local donors and their organ recipients, in celebration of this event.

Three people in one room all gave a kidney to a loved one. Keefe, who in the past donated his left kidney to his mother, Lucille, noted: “You have the opportunity to change the outcome of someone’s life with a selfless act. Choose to make that outcome a positive one.” The Mayor added, “Give the gift of life by choosing to be a donor.”

For information, contact Matt Boger: 617-780-6249 / matt_boger@neds.org. To register to be a donor outside the RMV office, or for information, visit mass.gov/OrganDonor.

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