Celebrating champions of organ donation across the Upper Midwest
Each April, during National Donate Life Month, we take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary individuals and organizations who make organ, eye, and tissue donation possible. At LifeSource, our mission is to save lives, and this year we’re proud to recognize the inspiring champions who help us do just that.
2024 was a historic year for organ donation in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Behind each life saved or healed is a network of dedicated hospital teams, compassionate families, creative advocates, and generous donors. At our annual awards ceremony, LifeSource honored ten outstanding partners whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the donation community.
“Advocacy takes many forms,” said Kelly White, CEO of LifeSource. “It’s hospital teams who act with urgency and compassion. It’s storytellers who amplify the message of donation. And it’s families who turn personal loss into a legacy of hope.”
Meet this year’s honorees
These individuals and organizations have gone above and beyond to support our life-saving mission:
Hospital Partners of the Year
Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
Fairview Range Medical Center
Mercy Hospital
This award honors hospital partners who went above and beyond to contribute to the mission of organ, eye and tissue donation in 2024.
Our first honoree is Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, nominated by LifeSource Donation Liaison Barb Agnew-Nelson:
Our next Hospital Partner of the Year honoree is Fairview Range Medical Center, nominated by Donation Liaison Laurie Mahoney.
Our third Hospital Partner of the Year honoree is Mercy Hospital, nominated by Donation Liaison Angie Deml:
Donation Partner of the Year
Boriana Strzok, Founder & CEO, 5IVE
This award recognizes an individual or organization who goes above and beyond in their advocacy for LifeSource and the message of donation.
Director of Communications & Outreach Sarah Sonn had this to say:
Pay it Forward Award
Sarah and Arlin Fisher, donor parents, Crosses for Cameron
The Pay it Forward Award honors the efforts of individuals and organizations who champion the mission of saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation through the sharing of their time, talents and treasure.
LifeSource Philanthropy & Development Coordinator Laura Kelly Lovdahl shares this:
Hospital Teams of the Year
M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital – Emergency Department and ICU Teams
Donation Liaison Jolynn Ryan shares this about the teams:
Hospital Unit of the Year
Hennepin Healthcare Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Donation Liaison Aracely St. Martin had this to say about the unit:
Media Partner of the Year
Kevin Wallevand, Reporter, WDAY-Fargo
Director of Communications & Outreach Sarah Sonn shares why she nominated Kevin:
Ambassadors of the Year
Melanie Wickersheim, heart and kidney transplant recipient
Beth Costello, donor mother
LifeSource ambassadors are one of our greatest assets. They are donation advocates who share their personal stories and educate the community about the power of donation. They are the faces and voices who connect LifeSource to the community.
Public Education Specialist (former Advocacy & Ambassador Coordinator) Teresa Turner shared why transplant recipient Melanie and organ donor mom Beth are honored this year:
Thank you to our community
Each honoree has played a vital role in advocating for donation and spreading awareness in their communities. Their work brings us closer to a future where no one dies waiting for a transplant.
To our partners, donors, and supporters — thank you. Your dedication makes it possible for LifeSource to fulfill its vision: a world where everyone shares the gift of life.