Return Home > Learn About Organ and Tissue Donation > Who Can Donate? > Religion and Organ Donation > Gift of Life Donor Sabbath

Gift of Life Donor Sabbath

Gift of Life Donor Sabbath provides an opportunity to discuss the critical need for organ and tissue donors and encourage organ donor registration in your house of worship.

Gift of Life Donor Sabbath, observed annually in November, seeks to educate faith-based communities about the need for organ, eye and tissue donors. This initiative partners with faith leaders, houses of worship, and faith-based organizations to educate its congregations about the critical need for donors and to dispel myths and discuss religious beliefs about the donation process. It’s important to note: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation as an unselfish act of charity.

Faith leaders are invited to sign a proclamation of support for the generosity and compassion inherent in the heroic act of organ and tissue donation. Sign up to participate as an individual or on behalf of your house of worship.

Three ways to get involved:
RSVP to indicate your interest by clicking on the image above.
Gift of Life Donor Sabbath

Gift of Life Donor Program provides speakers, brochures, materials, and religious resources FREE to faith-based organizations and houses of worship which promote Gift of Donor Sabbath.

“Organ donation is a testimony of love for our neighbor…” – Pope Francis

Plan a Donor Sabbath activity such as inviting a Gift of Life representative to speak, holding a donor registration drive, hosting a donor workshop, organizing a candle lighting ceremony, adding information about Gift of Life Donor Sabbath in the bulletin, newsletter, website and e-mail, or highlighting a person in your congregation who has a donation or transplant story.

Sign up to participate in Gift of Life Donor Sabbath.

How you can be a part of Gift of Life Donor Sabbath
  • Host activities such as a donor registration drive or donor workshop.
  • Light a Donor Sabbath candle in honor of heroes who gave the gift of life and patients awaiting a transplant.
  • Invite a representative from Gift of Life to speak to your organization in person or virtually.
  • Highlight a story of donation and transplantation from your congregation.
  • Publish an announcement in your congregation’s newsletter or bulletin.
  • Share information via social media.
  • Faith leaders are invited to sign a proclamation of support for the generosity and compassion inherent in the heroic act of donation.
  • Find even more materials when you sign up to participate.
  • Join us at the Nov. 16 Gift of Life Donor Sabbath Concert, featuring Saint Thomas Gospel Choir and special guests John Cheeseborough and New Life 48th Street Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Choir & Pamela Johnson and the St. Thomas Angels in Motion RSVP to indicate your interest.
National Donor Sabbath provides an opportunity to discuss the critical need for organ and tissue donors and encourage organ donor registration in your house of worship.

“Whether you call him God or Jehovah or Allah, it’s all God and can bring anyone together.” After tragedy brought them together, Carol and Kareem realized they shared a special bond through their faith and the life-saving legacy of organ donation. Read the exceptional story of Carol and Kareem. 

Executive Assistant Pastor Nicholas A. Smith of Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ discusses his connection with organ and tissue donation and the role this topic plays in his church.

For more information, or to participate in Gift of Life Donor Sabbath, contact Naja Killebrew at nkillebrew@donors1.org.

Related Content

  • Clergy Resources on Organ & Tissue Donation

    Clergy have a unique capacity to increase awareness and acceptance of organ and tissue donation. The information below serves as a resource for clergy to help support Gift of Life’s mission.

  • Gift of Life Stories

    The gift of organ and tissue donation can change someone's life and rewrite their story. Here, donor families, transplant recipients and others share inspiring stories about how donation and transplant transforms lives.

  • About Gift of Life Donor Program

    Gift of Life Donor Program is the nation's leading organ procurement organization coordinating more organ and tissue donors than anywhere else in the United States. Take a brief look at our year history of saving lives.