ConnectLife

04/29/2022

You asked. Here's our answers.

Are there any other blood donor eligibility questions you have for us? Let us know in the comments!

04/27/2022

Is it FACT ✅ or FICTION ❌: The only organs that can be transplanted are...heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and intestine.

#DonateLifeMonth #WeConnectLife

04/26/2022

“Hockey is in Our Blood” Buffalo Sabres T-Shirt

ConnectLife blood donors and platelet donors will get this “Hockey is in Our Blood” Buffalo Sabres t-shirt! But only until April 30.

T-minus 4 days until the end of the promotion. #giveblood #savelives #weconnectlife #donateblood #gosabres

04/25/2022

We need platelet donors to come in and donate this week! 💪 Please donate if you can. This is your chance to help save someone’s life right here in our community!

Visit: https://connectlife.simplybook.me/v2/
OR call 716-529-4270 to find a convenient appointment for you.

#platelets #savelives #donatelife #weconnectlife #buffalove

04/25/2022

My daughter’s name is Jillian Olivia Williams. I love saying her full name. Whenever we would visit the pediatrician, she would say “There she is, the little girl with the big movie star name!” She would just smile shyly. Jillian is the youngest daughter and the third child of four. She has two older sisters, Elizabeth and Shelby, and a younger brother, Elijah.

She was only 14 when she passed away suddenly from a subdural empyema; a sinus infection that spread to her brain. Since the day she was born, screaming in at 10 pounds, Jillian has been a force to be reckoned with. Her motto was “Stay True,” and she meant it… to yourself, your friends, your heart. She lived it. Jillian was an old soul, a hippie girl with a big heart whose favorite thing in the world were her friends. She adored daisies and yellow, and both suited her perfectly.

Our family has done so many things to honor Jillian’s memory. Everything from balloon releases, planting a tree, the Donate Life walks and vacations specifically planned around her birthday and angel-versary. Since Jillian’s sisters have recently moved to both North Carolina and Texas, I’ve started painting rocks that I call Peace Pebbles and leave them for others to find, enjoy, keep or re-hide. Most recently I left one at New River Gorge in West Virginia.

Our family had never openly talked about organ donation but there’s never been a doubt in my mind either. I’m not sure how I arrived in that place but I’m grateful for that foresight. Ironically enough, Jillian often wore a Donate Life tee shirt she’d gotten from an outreach at her high school. Maybe that was always her message. It’s certainly her legacy. I have always thought that donation is just how the plan should unfold so there was no question or hesitation when the time came. Jillian has gifted her kidneys, pancreas, liver, and lungs as well as her corneas, tendons, and skin. I like to think she is the band-aid for burn victims or babies born with organs outside of their bodies to hug them, protect them, and become part of them as they heal. One night I was feeling particularly sad that Jillian’s heart was the only organ she couldn’t donate. The doctor told us all her other organs were “pristine” because her heart had worked so hard. That night I had a dream…I saw her beautiful face and she whispered that she had to take her heart with her, because that’s where she kept us.

There is so much I want people to know about organ donation. I never dreamed it would be so healing. Someday I wish for it to be the next page in the unfolding story when we lose someone we love. I wish for those donating and those receiving the gift to not be afraid to reach out and say bless you; thank you. I have had the blessing of meeting Jillian’s lung recipient’s family and I will be forever grateful for that. It heals you in ways you can’t imagine. Donating… receiving… there’s nothing to fear. Only love.

When I am asked to share Jillian’s story, the tears flow. My heart breaks. And I always ask myself why I say yes. And I’m always reminded. As much as it hurts, it also heals. Jillian’s life is the story, and its beauty deserves to be shared.

Love,
Deanne Mills, Jillian’s Mom
#DonateLifeMonth #WeConnectLife #OrganDonor #Hero

04/23/2022

04/22/2022

ECMC Critical Care Unit Nurses repping #BlueandGreenDay!! 💙💚

04/21/2022

BECOME A CONNECTLIFE VOLUNTEER 💙

Want to volunteer with ConnectLife? Send an email to our Volunteer Coordinator ➡️ 📨 [email protected]

04/20/2022

It has been a long two years since the beginning of the pandemic, and we could not been more thankful for the healthcare heroes in our community - including those on our ConnectLife staff. #ThankYouHealthcareHeroes

04/19/2022

Is it FACT ✅ or FICTION ❌: Almost everyone on the transplant waiting list receives an organ.

#DonateLifeMonth #WeConnectLife

04/18/2022

Was someone you love an organ, eye and tissue donor?

Are you interested in sharing their story?

Share your story.

Help us honor your loved one this #DonateLifeMonth. 💙💚

#donatelife #giftoflife #weconnectlife #shareyourstory

04/15/2022

Blue & Green Day is 1 WEEK AWAY! 💙💚

04/15/2022

ATTENTION: We will be moving out of our current Southgate Blood Donation Center to a temporary spot for a few weeks because we are working on expanding! 🎉

Beginning today, (for 3-4 weeks), we will operate out of a temporary location in the Southgate plaza until construction is finished.

The NEW temporary physical address will be 1052 Union Rd. West Seneca, NY 14224. Look for us between Christie's and Continental School of Beauty.

04/14/2022

Comment your answer below. FACT ✅or FICTION ❌: All major religions in the U.S. support donation as a final act of compassion and generosity.

Including...Assembly of God, Buddhism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, (Mormon) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Presbyterian, United Methodist, and more.

#DonateLifeMonth #WeConnectLife #NDLM2022

04/12/2022

Flag Raising for #DonateLifeMonth

Flag raising ceremony in celebration of Donate Life Month. 💙💚 Thank you to all who attended, spoke, and for the work the team at ECMC and ConnectLife does each and every day to celebrate donors and honor their wishes, and save lives through the gift of life.

Speakers in order: Reverend Garney Davis Jr., Thomas Quatroche, Kevin Gramlich, Dr. Liise Kayler, Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns

04/12/2022

ConnectLife flag proudly on display all April

We raise the flag to honor organ, eye, and tissue donors.
We raise the flag to thank those to have given the gift of life.
We raise the flag to spread awareness of the 10,000 New Yorkers waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
We raise the flag to celebrate Donate Life Month. 💙💚

ECMC Kidney Foundation of Western New York

04/11/2022

Comment with your answer!

FACT ☑️or FICTION ❌: Doctors will not work as hard to save your life in the emergency room if you're a registered organ donor.

#DonateLifeMonth #WeConnectLife #NDLM2022

04/09/2022

Happy #DonateLifeMonth 💚💙

04/08/2022

Marques was a proud father of two boys. He was also a devoted son, brother, nephew, and cousin. When Marques passed away in 2019, he saved five lives through organ donation.

His corneas gave the gift of sight to two people, and he saved countless more lives through tissue donation. Marques is a true hero. We honor him this Donate Life Month.

#WeConnectLife #OrganDonor #DonateLifeMonth #DonationisBeautiful

04/07/2022

Bee a donor 🐝 Organ donors #savelives everyday, but New York State has one of the lowest registry rates in the country. Let’s change that this #DonateLifeMonth.

Register today: https://donatelife.ny.gov/ref/ConnectLifelink/

04/06/2022

When blood donors are needed in WNY, ConnectLife can count on donors like, Ryan. He donates to ensure blood is available for those who need it most. 🩸 Oishei Children's Hospital #thankyou #weconnectlife #hero #wny

04/05/2022

BREAKING NEWS: WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS 🩸

ConnectLife has won the 2022 #BloodBankMadness because we outperformed our blood collection amounts from the previous year (2021). Thank you to each and every blood donor that made this possible. We are champions because of YOU, Western New York.

And thank you to each blood bank that participated and helps save lives across the country. Blood donation is important, it's essential, and it's a selfless act. Blood donors are heroes!

We are looking forward to defending our title next year. 💪

04/04/2022

FACT ✅or FICTION ❌: One organ, eye, and tissue donor can save and heal up to 100 lives.

Comment your answer below.

#DonateLifeMonth #WeConnectLife #NDLM2022

04/02/2022

I’ve been a blood donor since high school, but really began to better understand the true impact of blood donation, when I started working as an RN. I am currently a nurse at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Since the pandemic, the critical blood shortages continue to astound me and I’ve seen firsthand the impact that this is having on our patients. Strict guidelines has been put into place as to ensure that our most critical patients receive blood first. Blood and blood products are truly life and death for so many.

Every time I transfuse a patient, I am reminded of the beauty of blood donation, and grateful for that donor. This is a simple and fulfilling way to give back to our community here in Western New York. If you’re looking to do some good for others, this is a great opportunity. Please consider donating! - Sarah Dempsey

04/01/2022

Thank you to Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski and Chairman of the Niagara County Legislature Rebecca J. Wydysh for helping kick-off National Donate Life Month 💙💚 by raising the ConnectLife flag at the Niagara County Courthouse and County Clerk's Office in Lockport. #DonateLifeMonth #WeConnectLife

We urge you to BEE A DONOR 🐝 - register your decision on the New York State Donate Life Enrollment Form: https://donatelife.ny.gov/register/

04/01/2022

Visit connectlife.simplybook.me/v2/ or call 716-529-4270 to find a blood drive near you this April! 🩸💪🏼 Buffalo Sabres

*Limited quantities available.

#april #blooddonor #weconnectlife #savelives #blooddonation #buffalove

03/30/2022

We’re in the finals! 📢 And it’s all thanks to you ConnectLife blood donors.🩸 This week, we face MEDIC Regional Blood Center (TX & KY). Please make an appointment to come in and donate this week. Let’s win, WNY!!

It is also our final week of the pint for a pint promotion - every donor will get a coupon for a free pint of Perry's Ice Cream. 🩸💪🏼 #bloodbankmadness #giveblood #savelives

03/29/2022

It's been 68 years since the first #kidneytransplant. In 2021, the U.S. reached a 40,000 transplant milestone exceeded for the first time. An annual record was set for kidney transplants as well.

Thank you to everyone who makes the #giftoflife possible across the country, including those on our ConnectLife staff. 💙💚

03/28/2022

Due to an overwhelming response, Big Ditch Brewing Company has added a SECOND date for their blood drive! Come out and donate this Friday, April 1st at McGuire Development Co.’s Compass East building. All donors will receive a Hayburner glass and Big Ditch gift card.

03/25/2022

ConnectLife is looking for local organ donor hero stories to share throughout the month of April. Their story is important. Help inspire others. Spread the word about the Donate Life mission. 💙💚

Send an email to [email protected] if you're interested in sharing your loved one's story.

03/24/2022

March is #KidneyMonth. Today we are taking a moment to thank both deceased and living kidney donors that save lives every day. Has your life been impacted by kidney donation? 💙

03/23/2022

O negative blood is the most requested by local hospitals for trauma patients, pediatric patients and surgeries. You are needed today to help save local lives.

Sign up today on our website https://connectlife.simplybook.me/v2/#book OR call 716-529-4270. ECMC Oishei Children's Hospital Kaleida Health