Howard M. Nathan with team members from Gift of Life Donor Program at the 2017 DLA Annual Conference.
(November 7, 2017–Richmond, VA)–Donate Life America is honored to present the Nicholas Green Award for a Lifetime of Giving to Howard M. Nathan, President and CEO, Gift of Life Donor Program, Philadelphia, PA.
The Nicholas Green Award for a Lifetime of Giving was created to recognize outstanding lifetime achievement in saving and healing lives through organ, eye and tissue donation, especially in the field of public education and outreach. The award is named for Nicholas Green and The Nicholas Effect, a movement that grew from the incredible story of the Green family, who donated Nicholas’ organs after he was killed while on vacation in Italy. Their decision of compassion encouraged people across Europe and the world to give the gift of life.
For decades, Howard Nathan has been a leading and untiring force in encouraging Americans, and many across the globe, to save and heal more lives through donation. He has inspired the public, and he has inspired donation and transplantation professionals to always strive for improvement and innovation to best serve those waiting for a second chance at life. Howard truly represents the dedication and commitment for which this award stands.
Howard was a founding member of Donate Life America. His commitment to donor families and transplant recipients alike is unmatched in donation and transplantation. Howard’s contributions to public education and saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation have saved and touched thousands of lives.
Howard has trained and influenced today’s leaders in the Donate Life Community. Rob Kochik, Executive Director, Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, spoke of Howard’s leadership and inspiration in the field, “Howard was the first soldier,” and his leadership and passion made us want “to be part of the army” saving lives.
The Donate Life Community owes a debt of gratitude to Howard M. Nathan for his leadership. Donate Life America is honored to recognize his lifetime of work and giving with the Nicholas Green Award.
Currently, 117,000 people are waiting for their transplant and second chance at life. On average, 22 people die each day because the organ they need is not donated in time. That is one person dying almost every hour, and 8,000 people dying every year.* You can help. Registering your decision to become a donor is the most effective way to save and heal lives through donation, and is a sign of hope and support to those who continue to wait. *Based on OPTNdata as of November 6, 2017
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About Donate Life America
Donate Life America (DLA) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization leading its national partners and Donate Life State Teams to increase the number of donated organs, eyes and tissue available to save and heal lives. DLA manages and promotes Donate Life℠, the national brand for the cause of donation; motivates the public to register as organ, eye and tissue donors; provides education about living donation; manages the National Donate Life Registry at RegisterMe.org; and develops and executes effective multi-media campaigns to promote donation.
About Gift of Life Donor Program
Gift of Life Donor Program is the non-profit, federally-designated organ procurement organization, serving 11.2 million people across Delaware, southern New Jersey and the eastern half of Pennsylvania. Its annual donation rate ranks among the highest in the world. Since 1974, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 46,000 life-saving organs for transplant, and approximately one million tissue transplants have resulted from the generosity of donors and their families. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people, and a tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 75 others. For more information or to register, visit donors1.org.