LifeSource honors outstanding advocates in the community

Awards ceremony follows a record-breaking year of organ donation in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota  

MINNEAPOLIS (April 27, 2024) – Each year in April during National Donate Life Month, LifeSource presents awards to honor and recognize outstanding examples of advocacy for organ donation – ultimately saving and healing lives.  

LifeSource – a community-based nonprofit based in north Minneapolis – closely partners with hundreds of hospitals, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices, funeral homes and individual communities across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota to save lives through organ donation. The process would not be possible without those close partnerships. 

“In celebrating the remarkable advocates driving organ donation awareness and action in our communities, we’re reminded of the profound impact each of us can have on the lives of others,” shares Kelly White, LifeSource CEO. “In a world often defined by its challenges, it’s truly inspiring to witness the power of human kindness and generosity.” 

In 2024, nine honorees received a LifeSource Donate Life award for their remarkable contributions to supporting the life-saving mission:  

Ambassadors of the Year  
Becky Bjerklie, donor mother  
Lisa Stackhouse, double-lung transplant recipient   

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. 

Donation Partner of the Year  
Ramsey County Medical Examiner 

This award recognizes an individual or organization who goes above and beyond in their advocacy for LifeSource and the message of donation.     

Hospital Partners of the Year   
M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center – Operating Room Team 
Regions Hospital  
Sanford Medical Center Fargo  

This award honors hospital partners who went above and beyond to contribute to the mission of organ, eye and tissue donation in 2023.   

Pay It Forward Award  
Bob and Gayle Garrison, LifeSource Golf Classic committee members  

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.     

Registry Impact Award  
Jody-Kay Peterson, Program Director, Driver Services, Minnesota Department of Public Safety  
Tony Anderson, Director of Operations, Driver & Vehicle Services, Minnesota Department of Public Safety  

Driver’s license offices are our most important partner when it comes to registering donors.     

Congratulations to the 2024 award honorees for leading these critical initiatives impacting donation each day, helping LifeSource achieve its vision that everyone shares the gift of life.  

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About LifeSource 

LifeSource is the non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation in the Upper Midwest, serving more than seven million people in communities across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. LifeSource promotes donation in our communities through the Donate Life brand. We are relentlessly pursuing a day when no one dies waiting for a life-saving transplant. Learn more at Life-source.org.   

For media inquiries, please contact:   

Sarah Sonn, Communications Director  
415-806-1467; ssonn@life-source.org