ConnectLife

01/02/2020

Happy National Blood Donor Month! ❤️

Kick-off 2020 with a New Year’s resolution to give back – by donating blood. Learn how at ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org

01/01/2020

Start 2020 off right...we have some suggestions for New Year's Resolutions you can ACTUALLY follow through on!

🧡 Be an advocate - help spread awareness about organ, eye, tissue, and community blood donation!
💙 Register your decision to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor at ConnectLife.org/Register
❤️ Donate blood (if you can't, tell your friends and family!) Learn more at ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org
💚 Volunteer your time - become a ConnectLife volunteer. Read through our opportunities at ConnectLife.org/Get-Involved/Become-a-Volunteer

01/01/2020

Donate Life Rose Parade Float

Hi, Dave!! 👋🏼 The Donate Life Float looks AMAZING! 🌹🌷

We won! Judges Award for design and floral arrangement!!!! Don’t forget to tune in, our float is element number 82 on the parade, towards the end. #DonateLifeFloat #lightinthedarkness

12/31/2019

Donate Life Float Rose Parade » David Carlson

WNY native to be featured in 2020 Donate Life Rose Parade Float!! 🌹🌷

Keep an eye out for Dave Carlson, from Grand Island, NY, as he rides the float and represents Buffalo, NY! He is a 2-time cornea recipient and is very active in our mission here at ConnectLife.

Tune in on January 1, 2020, at 11am EST!! Learn more here: https://www.donatelifefloat.org/wp/2020-david-carlson/

12/30/2019

Exciting news for all of New York State! 💙💙

What you need to know: The New York Gift Act addresses existing barriers to making an anatomical gift, upholds the autonomy of registered organ and tissue donors and provides clarity to support the decisions of families making these vitally important and life-saving gifts.

The hope: That these updates to New York’s anatomical gift law will improve the organ and tissue donation process, saving and healing more lives.

Donate Life NYS is proud to announce a tremendous legislative win for the donation and transplantation community here in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed the New York Gift Act (A.7800-A/S.6000-A), aligning New York's anatomical gift laws with nationwide standards enacted in 48 other states.

The New York Gift Act addresses existing barriers to making an anatomical gift, upholds the autonomy of registered organ and tissue donors and provides clarity to support the decisions of families making these vitally important and life-saving gifts. We expect that these updates to New York’s anatomical gift law will improve the organ and tissue donation process, saving and healing more lives.

We are deeply thankful to the Governor for his support of the New York Gift Act. Our gratitude also extends to Hon. Gustavo Rivera, Assembly Member Richard Gottfried and all of the champions of donation and transplantation in the NYS Legislature. The dedication and hard work of our Legislative Committee, Board of Directors, volunteers and advocates have made this victory for New York possible. We deeply appreciate the commitment of everyone who has participated in this effort.

12/27/2019

ConnectLife - it's what we do, it's who we are.

ConnectLife is committed to educating the community, inspiring donation, and connecting lives. Learn more: ConnectLife.org/About-Us/Vision-Mission

12/27/2019

ConnectLife supports our community members’ inherent desire to do good.

Whether that be by donating blood or helping us spread awareness about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Learn more: ConnectLife.org/Register

12/27/2019

ConnectLife was created to serve. We help organ, eye, and tissue donor families honor the wishes of their loved ones during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

Serving our local families is a driving force in all that do!

12/27/2019

ConnectLife has proudly served the City of Good Neighbors since 1981. In this new chapter, we are focused on the difference that we can all make as a community for people in need right in our backyard.

See how you can get involved: ConnectLife.org

12/26/2019

Wishing you a Happy Kwanzaa and time well spent with friends and family!

12/26/2019

Do you have O negative blood? Your community needs you! Make an appointment at ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org

12/26/2019

Video: Little girl in upstate New York has proof of Santa Claus' magic

There is no greater gift than the gift of LIFE! You can register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at ConnectLife.org/Register

The little girl's mother needed a new heart so she asked Santa to find one for Christmas, and he did.

12/25/2019

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! 💙

12/24/2019

Too good not to share, Merry Christmas Eve everyone!!

Help us spread the word!! You can register your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor at ConnectLife.org/Register 💙

12/23/2019

From our team at ConnectLife, Happy Hanukkah! 💙

12/22/2019

17-year-old gets 'Christmas miracle' with new heart and kidney

A feel-good story this Sunday morning! 👏🏽

Earlier this month, Marquis Davis underwent the surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Ohio.

12/20/2019

We asked: you answered!!

Check out the responses we got on our Facebook story. Submit your answer! 😊

12/19/2019

Are you a registered organ donor? Comment below with a 🧡

Did you know that only 35% of the population in New York State (16 years old and older) are registered organ donors? The national average is 58%!

12/18/2019

Make an impact in your community today! Help us write our next chapter and work towards a better future for WNY. Please consider making a contribution today - http://bit.ly/36CnwL0

12/17/2019

Thank you to the Lackawanna Police Department and Lackawanna Firefighters Local 3166 Department for hosting their community based "Guns N' Hoses" blood drive yesterday!

See how you can get involved with our Holiday Heroes campaign at http://www.connectlife.org/holiday-heroes

12/16/2019

ECMC

‪You can be a holiday hero this season of giving - by giving the gift of life!! Make an appointment at ConnectLife.org/HolidayHeroes

We encourage you to give the most meaningful gift of all this holiday season--the gift of life. Join us for the Holiday Heroes blood drive on December 20th and 26th, 11am-5pm. Learn more with today's WGRZ - Channel 2, Buffalo #MedicalMinute video: http://bit.ly/MedicalMinute-Dec16

12/16/2019

And the winner of the signed Jack Eichel Jersey is...Steve Gajewski! 💙

Thank you to everyone that entered our contest, we’re looking forward to our Buffalo Bandits drive in 2020.

12/14/2019

Something exciting is coming in 2020. Stay tuned!

12/13/2019

Nicolas Bori - Director

Get the tissues ready before watching this 2 minute film about the power and generosity of organ donation. 💙

You can register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at ConnectLife.org/Register

Note: This film was inspired by the real story of Justina Lo Cane, a 12-year-old girl in Argentina who died while waiting for a donor heart. Aware that she might die if a donor heart did not arrive soon, Justina told her father that her wish was to help as many people as possible. A talented group of German film students were inspired by her story and created this film. They shared the film on what would have been Justina's 15th birthday.

A girl lies in bed at the hospital.
A decision can save her.

MakeTheDecision.org

Credits:

Justina Lo Cane's story helped improved organ donation awareness in Argentina and other countries.
Read more: Makethedecision.org ==> (“Inspiration” section)

Additional inspiration from these young warriors:
Rowen Auer --- Instagram @Amandaauer
Ella Chadwick --- IG @ellachadwick_zebedeemodel
Nora Shorts-Evelyn --- IG @thetipsyrunner
Ava Martin --- IG @amarts926716
Ella Waldner --- IG @this.little.heart.of.mine
Thalia-Beau Wright --- IG @thaliaslittleheart

Music: ABBOTT - Never been away
https://fanlink.to/NeverBeenAway

MAIN CAST
Becky - Sury Hardt
Becky´s mom - Genevieve Capovilla
Lili - Tabea Fromholz
Lili´s dad - Daniel Swain

CREW
Director: Nicolás Iván Bori
Script: Nicolás Iván Bori
Cinematography: Martin Ludwig
Producer: Daniel Kottirsch, Simona Weber
Associate producer: Dennis Maiwald
Gaffer: Nils Künstler
Production design: Julia Pimentel
Costume design: Ella Philippi
Make-up / SFX: Tim Scheidig, Desirée Schober
Production Sound: Linus Gramm
Editor: Ernst Lattik
Sound design: Robin Harff
Color grading: Marina Starke
Music Composer: Thomas Muis @2WEI Music
Foley Artist: Johanna Roth
VFX: Julia Kietzmann, Tim Markgraf
Casting: AH casting
Motion Designer: Marco Wagner

First Assistant Director: Eva-Maria Naburtowitz
First AC: Adrian Huber
Second AC: Jan Durst
Best Boy: Thomas Bünger
Lighting Technician: Sebastian Weitbrecht, Viktoria Blocher, Tobias Dolphin
Key Grip: Giacomo Beilharz
Assistant production design: Franziska Müskens
Graphic Designer: María del Rosario Díaz Roigt
Set builder: Tobias Dolphin
Assistant costume design: Viviana Hochstätter, Judith Bori
Line Producer Mallorca: Felix Antretter
DIT: Ernst Lattik
Set Photography: Leon Greiner
Location Manager: Janis Leonard Heller, Phillip Eberling
Assistant Location Manager: Sophia Münster, Alexander Tuntukas
Driver: Jens Ostwaldt, Friederike Weykamp
Catering: Stefanie Gödicke, Ann-Katrin Boberg, Christian Arnold, Christian Schilling
Medical Consultant: Andreas Grau
Medical Consultant Technician: Robin Blischke

ADDITIONAL CAST
Chief surgeon - Karl Kranzkowski
Nurse - Natascha Kuch
Nurse - Mona Georgia Müller
Nurse - Mai Vi Huynh
Lili´s dad body double - Jonathan Peller
Becky´s dad - Michael Hardt
Kid in hospital - Livia Sophie Magin
Kid in hospital - Amelie Magin
Hospital staff - Naomisia Dantas
Hospital staff - Elke Hohmann
Hospital staff - Aino Inga Kurzeya
Hospital staff - Thorsten Kurzeya
Hospital staff - Brigitte Mächtle
Hospital staff - Jürgen Mächtle
Hospital staff - Nancy Onyango

TALENT AGENCIES
Ashton Hinkinson Casting
Talent-Scout Jelka Niebling/Gielnik
Agentur Schwarz
Christina Shepherd Advertising
Zoë Nathenson Agency
Brodybookings Modelmanagement und Casting
Agentur Keksbande

FILM SCHOOL
Production company: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH
Project coordinator: Olivia Marten
Senior lecturers: Zoran Bihac, Bernd T. Hoefflin, Martin Schmid, Florian Sigl
Line producer: Thomas Lechner

OUR MAIN SPONSORS
Ministerium für Soziales und Integration Baden-Württemberg, Stiftung ÜBER Leben, Jugendstiftung Baden-Württemberg, Lions Club Ludwigsburg, Peter Peters

STARTNEXT CROWDFUNDING SUPPORTERS
Julia Lazar, Judith Bori, Alissa Weber, Anna Greif, Minh Nguyen, Philipp Fleischmann, Nikolas Schmidbauer, Maximilian Sperber, Andrea Enders, Katharina Meyer, Simona Leyzerovich, Alastair Dingwall, Antje-Karen Richter, Mario Scian, Andree Betten, Stefan Jan Schmidt, Franziska Kabutke, Kendra Southwood, Anita Schiller, Andrea Timm, Judith Nischelsky, Ursula Bernhard-Morent, Ramona Otten, Carola Gollnick, Bettina Schreiber, Christine Greif, Karin Schmid, Elke Hohmann, Gina Bolle, Florian Greif, Katharina Bernhard, Linda Engel, Nikolai Wüstemann, Monika Kretsch, Dennis Maiwald, Moritz Ott, Svea Bein, Elisa Unseld, Hubert Greif, Teresa Klobucnik, Kevin Renier, Joost van Gerven, Lukas Wörle, Alexander Vexler

OUR LOCATION SUPPORTERS
Rolf Steinacker and Chris [email protected] Fiction Stuttgart
Sandra Schaupp and Nadia Kögel @Klinik Löwenstein
Alex, Luca, Marie, Felix and Frida @Becky´s house
Judith [email protected]´s house

SPECIAL THANKS
Billy [email protected]´s Lens Rent, Peter [email protected], @Schäfer Arbeitsbühnen, @IBIS Budget, @Car Motion Service, @Roger & Over Sprechfunkgeräte, @MSB-FILMS, @Dinkelacker-Schwaben Bräu, Birgit Blome and Kevin Otero @Deutsche Stiftung Organtransplantation, Marion Busacker @Barmer, @Herzkranke Kinder e.V., Harry [email protected]´s Kaffeerösterei, [email protected] Löwenstein, @Stiftung Baden-Württemberg, @Junge Helden e.V., Karosi Sprachendienste, Evi Riecken, Wiebke Fromholz, Nathalie Kraft, Dr. Uschi Traub, Jan Fabi, James Dodge, Björn and Heike Winter, Carla Gallini, Juliane Voigtländer, Jessica Sautter, Jens Ostwaldt, Jürgen Winter, HyunJoo Lee, Holly Morrell - IG @heartfeltholly, Sydney Hamilton - IG @sydneysheartjourney

A production by Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg ©2019

12/13/2019

Thank you to the volunteers that were able to make it to our Appreciation Lunch yesterday! 💚❤️ Our ConnectLife volunteers help support our mission in many ways...

1) Educate the community: they work information tables at our blood drives, events, and community outreach programs to educate the community on organ, eye, tissue, and community blood donation.

2) Inspire donation: they help spread true facts about donation that help people overcome their fears and register as a donor and a blood donor.

3) Connect lives: they meet people all across WNY and engage the community in our mission.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, visit http://www.connectlife.org/get-involved/become-a-volunteer

12/12/2019

December Blood Donor Highlight ❤️

Two Amherst Police officers walk into a blood drive. No, it's not a joke! It's Beth and Bob Stephen's blood donation story. Read their story here: http://www.connectlife.org/get-involved/share-your-story

12/11/2019

Today we had our Service Awards & Holiday Lunch at ConnectLife headquarters. Everyone was encouraged to wear an Ugly Holiday Sweater. 💚❤️

Employees were honored for their 1-year, 5-years, 10-years, and 15-years of service! #weconnectlife

12/10/2019

Today we announced our 2019 Holiday Heroes Campaign at ECMC. Join the campaign December 12 through January 24.

The holidays are generally a time when fewer people give blood, but the need for blood remains constant.

Consider donating blood alongside our heroic police officers, fire fighters, and first responders. Learn how you can get involved at ConnectLife.org/HolidayHeroes.

12/10/2019

We’re here at ECMC for the Holiday Heroes Campaign Press Conference starting at 1:30pm! Stay tuned.

12/09/2019

Holiday Heroes Feature on WNY Living

Great segment on WGRZ - Channel 2, Buffalo's WNY Living about our Holiday Heroes Campaign - which runs December 12 to January 24.

Amanda Farrell, Director of Blood Donor Recruitment at ConnectLife, and James O'Callaghan, New York State Trooper, sat down to talk about the campaign and how YOU can get involved. ConnectLife.org/HolidayHeroes

12/09/2019

Happy #MythMonday!

12/06/2019

A BIG Congratulations to Jillian, Dawn, Sarah for their feature in the Fresenius Kabi 2020 calendar and for being recognized for the many years they have been donating platelets! 🥳🥳

These 3 ladies donate platelets together every other Saturday morning with ConnectLife. Photos of their calendar feature to come!

12/05/2019

"Was Unyts Bought by ConnectLife?"

Let's clear the air, check out our new FAQ series!

Have more questions? Leave us a comment below.

12/05/2019

Local cancer survivor to meet blood donors who helped save his life | News, Sports, Jobs - Observer Today

Drake is 1-year CANCER FREE!!

During Drake’s cancer treatment he received over 60 blood transfusions and many took place at Oishei Children's Hospital with blood provided by ConnectLife.

32 ConnectLife blood donors have been identified as helping to save Drake’s life, and on Saturday, December 7th he and his family will get the chance to meet some of them and say “thank you.”

Learn more: https://bit.ly/34Z5SA4

MAYVILLE — It’s not often that blood recipients have the opportunity to meet the donors who helped save their lives, but a Chautauqua County teen will soon

12/04/2019

Thank you.

To every person that participated in #GivingTuesday, whether you gave to ConnectLife or not.

Giving back is a big part of what we do here in Buffalo and Western New York.

We truly appreciate the support of our local families and neighbors. Our mission is to educate the community, inspire donation, and connect lives. We couldn't do it without YOU.

Together, we can work towards a future where blood is available for all in need, we decrease the number of deaths of those waiting for a transplant, innovative tissues enhance the quality of life and advance cutting-edge research, and every donor and donor family is honored.

Join us as we work toward a better future. How?

1) Register to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor at ConnectLife.org/Register
2) Become a ConnectLife blood donor at ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org
3) Become a volunteer in your community at ConnectLife.org/Get-Involved/Become-a-Volunteer

12/04/2019

We have opened a limited amount of appointments next week for our Buffalo Sabres drive. They will go fast.

Make your appointment now! ConnectLife.org/Team-Drives

12/03/2019

There is no greater gift to give than the gift of life.

Register your decision this #GivingTuesday to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor - ConnectLife.org/Register

12/03/2019

Help support ConnectLife through a financial contribution this #GivingTuesday. All donations are tax-deductible!

Donate to our year-end appeal: https://bit.ly/34LUsPU