Is to eliminate the shortage of organs for lifesaving transplants by being a trusted education resource for living organ donation and the leading provider of advocacy services for living donors.
Is for living organ donation to be widely known, understood, and available to those needing a lifesaving transplant, and for living donors to receive the independent advocacy and support they need before, during, and after transplantation.
As we look to the New Year with renewed hope and purpose, I’m grateful for your steadfast partnership in saving lives—and eager to invite you deeper into our mission to educate the two groups who can finally end the transplant wait.
At The Living Bank, we know living donation is the solution to significantly reducing the national transplant waiting list. Deceased donation alone cannot meet the critical need. Living donation is the bridge that can shrink the waiting list and spare countless families from heartbreak. Yet too many remain in the dark.
First, picture the thousands tethered to dialysis—spending up to 15 hours a week in treatment, praying for a kidney.
Many don’t realize a living donor could spare them years on the waiting list for a deceased donation—years they might not have.
Second, think of the potential donors all around us. A Mayo Clinic survey found 84% would consider donating to a friend or family member, and 49% to a stranger. A National Kidney
Foundation survey shows one in four Americans would consider living donation if they knew someone who needed a kidney. That willingness is a sleeping giant, stalled only by lack of awareness.
Here’s the math that keeps us mission-driven: 104,000 people are waiting for transplants; 86% need kidneys, 9% livers – 95% of whom could be saved by a living donor. Yet living donation rates have barely budged in a decade. Why? The education isn’t reaching the dialysis chairs or the dinner tables where heroes are born.
Your gift this year will fuel a powerful public awareness campaign we hope to stream on platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and others—bringing the message of living organ donation to millions. It will deliver timely, life-changing information exactly where it’s needed most, fulfilling our vision of a world where living donation is widely understood and accessible to every patient awaiting a lifesaving transplant.
YOUR generosity POWERS our mission.
With heartfelt thanks,
Kelly Perdue, CPA President and CEO
In 2014, while driving from Calgary to Okotoks, Alberta, 26-year-old Frances Ball noticed a young man walking along the highway and decided to offer him a ride — a simple act of kindness that would change multiple lives. The man, Cody, shared that his younger brother Brad was in need of a kidney transplant. Though Frances had never considered organ donation before, their conversation stayed with her. Just a week later, she reached out to Cody to say she wanted to help.
Tests revealed that Frances and Brad weren’t a blood type match, but they entered Canada’s Paired Exchange Program, which allows incompatible donor–recipient pairs to exchange kidneys with others for compatible matches. The process was lengthy, involving medical and psychological evaluations, imaging scans, and several rounds of blood work.
Over the next three and a half years, Brad’s recurring lung infections delayed the transplant multiple times. Tragically, he passed away in 2017. Despite her grief, Frances remained determined to donate.
On February 14, 2018 — Valentine’s Day — Frances became an altruistic living kidney donor, giving her kidney anonymously to a young man in Calgary.
The surgery was a success, and her donation transformed his life. Though she has never met her recipient, they have exchanged heartfelt letters, and Frances hopes one day their paths will cross.
Her story is a powerful reminder that even a simple act of kindness — offering a ride — can ripple outward to save a life.
The most generous gift is the gift of life. My family and I will never be able to thank you enough.
Please accept this small token of our appreciation for the hero you are.
We hope you are doing well.
Letter excerpt from recipient family
Frances has long been an active volunteer with the Canadian Transplant Association (CTA) supporting transplant awareness. Through posts shared by CTA members, she learned about the upcoming World Transplant Games 2025, to be held in Dresden, Germany. To her surprise, she discovered that the Games weren’t only for transplant recipients — living donors and their families could also participate!
Encouraged by this opportunity, Frances applied for the CTA Athlete Bursary, which helps cover registration, accommodation, and travel costs. To her delight, she was selected! Wanting to make the most of the experience, Frances reached out to The Living Bank, who enthusiastically agreed to sponsor her as an athlete at the Games.
Frances’ competitive spirit runs deep. She was a talented swimmer in her youth and although it had been years since she’d trained, the Games provided the perfect motivation to dive back into the pool. Frances registered to compete in several Donor Women’s swimming events. Her hard work paid off and she earned gold medals in all events and the title of World Champion in the 50-meter Butterfly.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Frances and two of her teammates also registered for the Donor Women’s Powerwalk, assuming it would be a relaxed, fun event. They quickly learned that powerwalking is a highly competitive sport, complete with strict form requirements. Despite the intensity, Frances persevered through the grueling 7.5 laps and proudly captured the bronze medal.
The Living Bank Gala was an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating the incredible gift of life through living organ donation. Held at the historic ZaZa Hotel in the Museum District, the event brought together more than 200 guests — donors, recipients, supporters, and advocates — all united by a shared mission to honor those who had given selflessly so that others may live. The atmosphere was one of gratitude, hope, and community, reflecting the powerful impact The Living Bank continues to have in promoting living organ donation across Texas and beyond.
Guests enjoyed a fun twist on Southern comfort food followed by a night of dancing to the sounds of the Jon Kott Band. The music filled the ballroom as attendees celebrated the lifesaving connections
forged through organ donation, with joy and camaraderie radiating throughout the evening.
A standout moment came from Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock, who shared his personal story as a living kidney recipient. His powerful testimony highlighted the life-changing impact of organ donation and reminded everyone present of the precious gift of health and renewed life that donors provide.
The Living Bank Gala was a night of inspiration, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the cause of saving lives through living organ donation.
The Living Bank advances its mission with the following programs and services:
Our program educates the public nationwide on living organ donation, empowering informed health decisions. With deceased organ donations unable to meet the growing transplant waiting list, we inspire meaningful conversations to promote understanding and support for living donation.
The Independent Living Donor Advocate Network™ (ILDAN™) offers free professional education and course credits to healthcare professionals in living donor transplant programs, equipping them with essential advocacy skills.
The Living Bank’s clinical team members are trained as licensed clinical transplant social workers and serve as Independent Living Donor Advocates (ILDAs), ensuring living organ donors make informed, coercion-free decisions while prioritizing their best interests. Our ILDAs support living donor transplant programs in the Texas Medical Center and nationwide.
Throughout 2025, The Living Bank was out in the community, supporting and participating in educational events to raise awareness, honor the transplant community, and inspire the next generation to learn about living organ donation.
Just to name a few...
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SPECIAL EDUCATION / ADAPTIVE TENNIS TOURNAMENT:
The UH Cougar Open, an international wheelchair tennis tournament organized by UH’s Adaptive Athletics program.
THE HOUSTON HEALTH MUSEUM:
Donate Life Month Panel: An engaging panel discussion featuring a donor family, living donor, and transplant surgeon, who shared personal stories and highlighted the profound impact of organ donation on saving lives and fostering healing during National Donate Life Month.
Teen Summit: The Living Bank hosted a lunch and learn for this week-long immersive program for teens exploring healthcare and bioscience.
HOUSTON METHODIST’S CELEBRATE LIFE EVENT:
A gathering celebrating organ donation and transplantation, bringing together donor families, recipients, and the broader community.
SMILIN’ RYLEN RUN:
A memorial 5K race to honor Rylen, a young child whose organs saved 5 lives, raising awareness for organ donation and supporting families in crisis.
HARRA PARTY IN THE PARK:
A community running event organized by HARRA at Memorial Park, featuring live music, refreshments, and fellowship.
THE NORA’S HOME GOLF CLASSIC:
An annual charity golf tournament to raise funds for Nora’s Home, which provides housing for transplant patients and their families.
LIFEGIFT’S 2ND CHANCE RUN:
A 5K race in Houston that honors organ, eye, and tissue donors, raising awareness of transplant needs.
Independent Living Donor Advocate Network™ (ILDAN™)
NEW On Demand Webinars Now Available
JOSIE MAIER
RACHEL GASTON, LCSW-S
Living Organ Donation and Nervous System Considerations
Rachel provides an accessible overview of Polyvagal Theory, explores its influence on decision-making in the context of living donation, and offers practical strategies for teams to assess and enhance donor nervous system regulation.
Project Donor: Increasing Living Donation Through Targeted Donor Support
Each year, more than 6,000 people die waiting for a kidney transplant—many viable donors are disqualified for reversible health conditions. Project Donor delivers free, targeted support to help these potential donors overcome barriers, achieve medical eligibility, and save a life.
LAUREN ANDRACCHIO, MPH, MARGARET SOLAR, MPH, JON HOFFMAN, MPP
American Kidney Fund: Transplant Resources and Programs
This webinar offers an overview of the American Kidney Fund’s (AKF) extensive resources for patients, families, and professionals. Attendees will discover AKF’s financial assistance programs, educational tools, and advocacy initiatives designed to expand access to transplantation and living donation across the United States.
LAURA MADIGAN-MCCOWN, MSW, MTS, DBE, HEC-C
Balancing Hope and Harm: Navigating Ethical Considerations in Young Living Donors
Young adult living donors present clinicians with complex and nuanced ethical challenges. In this session, Laura explores key ethical issues and applies them to composite case studies drawn from real-world scenarios. She offers a practical framework for navigating these challenges in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
SERVING
17
TRANSPLANT CENTERS
INDEPENDANT LIVING DONOR ADVOCATE (ILDA) SERVICES
DEVELOPED PUBLIC EDUCATION
10,000
CONSTITUENTS NATIONWIDE
IN-PERSON + ONLINE + PRINT + NEWSLETTER
REGISTERED OVER
1,400
TRANSPLANT PROFESSIONALS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION
PROVIDED
2,700
INDEPENDENT LIVING DONOR ADVOCATE EVALUATIONS IN PERSON + TELEHEALTH
RESPONDED TO OVER
1,500 INQUIRIES
LIVING + DECEASED + WHOLE BODY DONATION OFFERED
39 ON DEMAND WEBINARS
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR TRANSPLANT PROFESSIONALS AWARDED
734 CREDIT HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
SOCIAL WORKERS + NURSES AT NO COST TO OUR ATTENDEES
LIVE+ON DEMAND WEBINARS PRODUCED
4 LIVE WEBINARS
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR TRANSPLANT PROFESSIONALS
104,000 PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR A LIFESAVING TRANSPLANT
86% ARE WAITING FOR A KIDNEY 9% ARE WAITING FOR A LIVER 95% OF THOSE WAITING COULD BE SAVED NOW THROUGH A LIVING DONOR TRANSPLANT
Jacquelyn Acres
Ms. Ann L. Adams
Albert & Ethel Herzstein
Charitable Foundation
Marcia Allen
Joan R. Ames
Donna M. Anderson
Sam Atkins
Linda Bailey
John Ballard
Timothy B. Baloian
Richard Barroso
Anne Marie Bartholomay
Michelle Becnel
Beth Begley
Kimberly Benes
Ruth Bernhardt
Jacob Berry
Pat and John Berry
James Bertrand
Stephanie Bice
Mark A. Biscone
Dr. Mark J. Biscone, Ph.D.
Robert A. Bladorn
Rita N. Blumenfeld
Diane Boisvert
Karen Borek
Carol A. Bowman
Sharon Bradley
Rosalie S. Brannan
David C. Bray
Bonita Brennan
Kevin Brown
Stuart B. Brown
Judy Burdette
Beverly Burmeier
Paula Burns
Gail Butler
Sam A. Bybee
Nancy and Steve Bynon
Maren L. Caldwell
Ginger Cantacessi
Michelle Carbone
Vincent Cerisano
David and Janice Champion
Donald J. Cisek
Anne Clare
Mrs. Guy R. Clabourn, Jr.
Alice H. Close
Michael and Paula J. Conner
Glenn H. Corley
Homer Corrodi
Jennifer J. Covington
Miriam Deel
Kathleen DeMont
Salil V. Deshpande, MD
Ray Domino
Nancy Dop
Dottie Burge and Vic Driscoll
Ms. Angie Dugick
Frances M. Edwards
Jennifer English
Carolyn A. Ernst
Marguerite Fant
Karen Farrell
Martin J. Feeney, Jr.
Jule Fey
Linda Field
Dr. and Mrs. Harold J. Fields
Raymond K. Fink
David L. Finney
Vidya Fleetwood, MD
Helen Fletcher
John and Jo Flores
Danny Foceri
Ms. Laura Folk
Frederick Forthuber
Norman W. Fraga
Martha Friedman
Frost Bank
Nhu Thao N. Galvan, MD
Joe Garson
Stan Gehres
George and Mary
Josephine Hamman
Foundation
David and Anne Gergen
Christopher Gerow
Kaye and Ed Gill
Veronica M. Gillespie
Matthew Girotto
Roberta J. Gliniecki
Christina Goalby
Laura Godfrey
Dinah D. Gow
James and Linda Graham
David M. Gregory, Esq.
Alfred O. and Janet L. Grimminger
Edward Grodsky
J. Guez
Anne Hall
Emily Hallock
The Honorable and Mrs. Kelly Hancock
Angela M. Hawkins
Ruth A. Hearson
Wesley Hemmings
Christine F. Henderson
Paula Hern and Tom Barbour
Anne Hershbell
Frances Hill
Jane Hilt
Joyce Y. Hirano
Dale F. Hoagland
Beryl Hogshead
Holland Parker
John Hollinshead
Jim Hooks
Steve Houck
Houston Methodist Hospital
Thomas E. Houston and Wayne Wilson
Judy M. and Steven K. Howell
Ahmed Ibrahim
Paul and Cheri Inglis
Les and Lyn Jacobs
Bruce Johnson
Robert Johnson
Nina Jones
Carol Jones-Pufpaff
Carson and Lacey Kainer
Ron and Kristi Kainer
Michael and Phylis Karas
Pat Karle
Dorothy E. Kaufmann
The Kayser Foundation
Charlma Kile
Lucy Kim
Paul Kirscht
Steven Koehler
Elizabeth M. Koup
Ken Kramlich
Jacqueline Lang
Mr. and Mrs. Ivar Larsen
Deborah Larson
Ron Lastimosa
Nancy LeBoeuf
Ralph S. Lehr, Jr.
Kristine Levenhagen
Timothy S. Libassi
LifeGift
Catherine Lightfoot
Limb Design, LLC
George S. Littell
Diane K. Loeffler
Ronald and Frances Loneker
Allen P. Lovejoy
Natalie Luera
Hannah Lummus
Sarah McCullough
Michele Maio
Maureen M. McCart
James M. McCarthy
LaVonne McCombie
The Glenn McConkey Estate
Everett McLaughlin
Memorial Hermann Health System
Richard N. Michael
Lisa H. Miles
The Military & Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus
Merle and Bonnie Miller
Mary Mitchell
James F. Moffa
Carolyn Morris
Kendra Morrison
Arline H. Moss
Andrew Muema
Tom and Sarah Murphy
Linda Murray
Bhamidipati Murthy, MD
Virginia Myer
Natera Inc.
Carole Neubrand
L. T. Newton
Mary Nolan
Nora’s Home
Linda Novick
Betty Nozer
Heather O’Dell
Dorothy Oelkers
Dolores Olejniczak
Charles Ondrej
Lauri Orwig
Carl J. Pace
Carol Paradowski
Celeste Pardee
Dan Parker
A. Lynette Parsons
Concepcion Pena
Kent Ping
H. Russell Pitman
Kathy Prentice
Linda and Charles Procopio
Janice H. Proctor
Patti Ramsey
Isla and T.R. Reckling
Tami and Matt Regan
Brenda J. Riner
Mr. and Mrs. George Roberts
Nancy Rogers
James R. Rosenfeld
Madeleine Ross
Tom Rumney
Judy Sacaris
Christy Sanderson
Robert and Heather Sasser
David J. Schill
Susan A. Schneider
Guy A. Schneider
Kendra G. Schroer
Jay and Peggy Schroller
Barb and Lin Seder
Larry Sevenker
Robert and Joyce Shaffer
Sarah Shannon
Lee and Sheila Shaw
Corbett Smith
B.J. Spence
Sean and Julia Steinke
Strake Foundation
Mrs. Marie P. Tabeek
Ralph Tamper
Texas Children’s Hospital
Craig Vollmers and Katherine S. Timmins
Tini Lulu Fund
Emily L. Todd
Warren J. Tripp
Troutman Pepper Locke
Ellis Tudzin
Debra Bradley in celebration of Amanda Bradley
Barbara Duncan in honor of Sally Duncan
Susan Edwards in honor of Harold Fields
Ayke Hoppenreijs in honor of Bas Hoppenreijs, my living kidney donor
Joy Horak-Brown in honor of Kelly Perdue
Ms. Sylvia Hughes Ragsdale in honor of Jeff McDonald
Perry Ann Reed in honor of Kelly Perdue
Gay Roane in honor of John and Gayle Durie in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Henricksen
Nancy Strohmer in honor of Kelly Perdue
James Thies in honor of Dr. Mark Biscone
The Vandaveer Consulting Group in honor of Amy Waterman, PhD
Rudyne Walker in honor of Dana Edson (my donor)
Mr. Ronald J. Briggs in honor of Amy D. Waterman, PhD
Susan and Dr. William A. Wescott In honor of Kelly Perdue
Kimberly Turner University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Louis and Donna Urschel
Sue Utter
Mary VanderSchaaf
Jill Veber
John J. Vrablik
Eric Walther
R. Bruce Wanlass
Jack Watson
Cathy Webb
Shari Wescott
Barbara Duncan in memory of Christopher Duncan
Aaron H. Fink, MD in memory of Joan Anderson, PhD
David N. Hooper in memory of
Cynthia Devlin
Guy Klingensmith
Terry Wood Wiseman
Michael Collins Louis Nelson Dema Lou Birdwell
Robert Dale Boyd
Rita Bastian
Randy Garrison Junie Threatt
Jane Everitt
Carlene Willis
The Hooper Family in memory of Paul Winfrey Hofheinz
Amity Horowitz in memory of Danny Horowitz
Ada L. Hunt in memory of Betty Cook
C.J. Johnson in memory of John C. Davis
Jody Johnston in memory of
Sally Joy
Karen Ing
Mary Lou Katchen in memory of Cara, Dawn and Bill
The Katchen Family in memory of David Dunlap
Sharon Kerby in memory of Earnest Kerby
Virginia Wiggins
Beth Williams
David and Dorothy Wilson
Larry D. Wilson
Lillian Woo
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick H. Wood III
Noel G. Wray
Carl Wrubel
Michael Yacobellis
David L. Yarbrough
Marilyn Lenz in memory of Jack Armitage
Doug Hunter
Norma Robinson
Frank Tamayo
Dan Wolfe
Jim Lord in memory of
Mary Lord
Larry Lord
Diana L. McCracken in memory of Jim McCracken
Robert Augustin
Evelyn M. Rollison in memory of Lynn Stuart Moreland
Catherine
Peggy D. Rowe in memory of Jan Geiser
Barb Van Aulen
Katherine Smith in memory of David Castro
Bill and Kathy Tschinkel in memory of Alice Angelillo
Charles F. Rogers
Peter Johnson
Mark Paul
Betty Schreiner
Lynn Van Orden in memory of Joy Belle Windemuller
Dr. Shari Wescott in memory of Brandi Laine Brown
SALIL V. DESHPANDE, MD, MBA, FACP
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Of Texas
VICE CHAIR
CATHERINE LIGHTFOOT, CPA, CHBC
EEPB Tax l Audit l Advisory
BEVERLEY MUKOMBE, MBA, MSN, RN
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center
KATHLEEN WOOD
Living Kidney Donor
MARK J. BISCONE, PhD, MPH, FACHE
ACHE – SouthEast Texas Chapter
Living Kidney Donor
CHRISTINE CARUSO
UPMC
DAVID M. GREGORY, JD
Troutman Pepper Locke
AYKE HOPPENREIJS
Christus Health
Living Kidney Recipient
DIESA SAMP, DNP, MHA, RN, CCTC, NEA-BC
Texas Children’s Hospital
Kelly Perdue, CPA President and CEO
Cathleen Thomas Director of Programs
LOUISE JOHNSON
GLEN KARSTEN
JOAN ANDERSON MCGURK, PhD
ESTHER PHILLIPS
MARGORIE ROBERTSON
The Living Bank was founded in 1968 as the first organ donor registry in the Nation; and the first provider of organ donation and transplantation education.