LifeSource

06/03/2026

“I am so proud of my son and know that he will always be a hero to so many people. This supports Tom’s belief that you don’t always need recognition for doing the right thing.” – Beth Costello

Beth knows all too well that there are things that happen in life that you cannot control, but the one thing that you can control is how you choose to react. It is this mantra that Beth keeps in mind every time she thinks of her son, Tom, and the legacy that he left behind after his tragic death in June 2021.

Tom was just 24 years old and at the top of his game. He had graduated from UW-Madison with a triple major and was described as “wicked smart,” having an unparalleled work ethic, strong character, and the biggest heart. Tom was an investment banker in New York City and had recently accepted a new position within investment banking.

Before starting his new job, Tom decided to take the summer off to travel the world, a dream for the adventure seeker, and was starting his summer by flying back to Minnesota to spend some time with family and friends. He was looking forward to enjoying a weekend at the family cabin in northern MN, with plans to waterski, swim, boat, and even participate in an Ironman triathlon!

Tom was a talented water skier and could not wait to get out on the water on that first day at the cabin. The weather was perfect, and the water was like glass. On that first run, Tom had what appeared to be a minor wipe-out. It soon became clear that the situation was more serious than thought as his friends struggled to get him back in the boat and immediately began CPR. Tom was airlifted to the Twin Cities where doctors made every effort to save his life but found he had suffered a non-survivable injury.

Tom had always been upfront with his parents and sisters that if something were to happen to him, he wanted to be an organ donor. He had checked the box when he was 16 years old and had been a registered donor ever since. With that knowledge, his family did not hesitate to fully support his wishes. Beth recalls, “Tom had overcome several significant obstacles in his life and had given a “Ted Talk” while in college with the message of ‘things will happen in your life that you can’t control, but the one thing that you can always control is how you choose to react to the situation.’ We feel like Tom left us this message and him passing away was this type of situation.”

Beth and family spent the next 48 hours in the hospital while the LifeSource team worked to find recipients for Tom’s organs. Beth adds, “We prayed so hard for our miracle to come true and for Tom to survive, but when we realized that was not going to happen, we took on the mantra that even though we couldn’t get our miracle, we could give several other families their miracle through Tom’s selfless final act of giving. We find comfort in knowing that Tom saved so many other lives and that his presence will live on. He has given other families quality time with their loved ones and hopefully someday down the road, we will have a chance to meet some of the recipients.”

06/02/2026

Mason Schuster was the kind of kid everyone wished the world had more of. He was, simply put, the poster child for kindness. Whether it was holding doors for strangers, helping someone carry groceries, or finding a way to make even the hardest work fun with a well-timed joke, Mason had a way of bringing light wherever he went.

Kindness wasn’t just something Mason acted on, it was who he was. He lived with a deep love for the world around him, especially nature. He loved hunting, fishing, and stargazing, often finding joy in the quiet and simple moments others might overlook.

When Mason was 19, he took his own life and the grief was—still is—heavy. The sorrow was deep for the whole family and grief took form in different ways. His mother, Jean, guided by Mason’s generous spirit, found a way forward. She found purpose in ensuring that Mason’s legacy didn’t end with his death—it lived on through the four lives he saved through organ donation.

Among those lives was Robbie Knutson.

At Strides for Second Chances last year, we had the privilege of witnessing the first time Jean and Robbie met in person. The most unforgettable moment took place as Jean, Stethoscope in hand, asked Robbie to take a deep breath, so she could listen to the sound of the lungs that once lived in her son.

The atmosphere of Strides for Second Chances fosters a sense of love, kindness, and understanding, and for the past two years it has also been the setting for deeply meaningful donor family and recipient meetings — truly powerful and unforgettable moments. Join us this year and experience the magic for yourself.

https://www.life-source.org/events/strides-for-second-chances/

06/01/2026

Thank you River Siren Brewing Company for helping us raise awareness for organ donation! We are so grateful to be a part of Van's story.

Make sure you check out Sunshine Fest, coming up this month!

05/27/2026

Join us in Fargo for Strides for Second Chances on July 18th!

Strides for Second Chances Walk and Picnic is back for the third year! Together we will celebrate the gift of life, sharing memories and making meaningful connections within the donation and transplant community.

There will be a brief program at 10:30 AM followed by a casual walk for those who would like to participate - then stick around for a picnic (must RSVP)!
...and can't forget the summertime essentials, a DJ playing some tunes and yard games 😎

Get all the details and the link to register here - - https://www.life-source.org/events/strides-for-second-chances/

05/26/2026

Corporal Jacob Douglas Robert Brandon served his country for four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. After a fatal motorcycle accident, he committed one final act of service that healed over 130 Americans in need. Through eye and tissue donation, Corporal Brandon’s final act was a lifesaving one.

We are honored to share this story written by Corporal Brandon’s mother, Marie, in honor of Corporal Brandon’s legacy of service. Marie wasn’t surprised to learn her son was a registered organ, eye and tissue donor - his foresight had already surprised her once when, at 17 years old, he presented her and his father with a packet of information to support his decision to join the Marines. His dedication to his country and his fellow Americans never faltered.

Now an ambassador for OneLegacy, Marie tells Brandon’s story of hope and selflessness to encourage families to consider organ, eye and tissue donation so that more lives can be saved by heroes like Brandon. Organizations like OneLegacy work each day to make sure that the families of organ donor heroes are never forgotten and always supported.

We thank Corporal Brandon and Marie for all they’ve given our country, in life and beyond. Learn more about Corporal Brandon, his lifetime of service and his mother’s continued mission in Stars and Stripes:

I wasn’t surprised to learn Jacob was a registered organ donor. He was the first to offer help to anyone.

05/22/2026

Let’s talk about honor walks!

If you’ve seen a video of hospital staff lining a hallway in silence as a patient is wheeled by, you may have witnessed what’s known as an honor walk.

These moments often go viral — and for many people, they raise questions. Here’s what to know!

An honor walk is a respectful moment that may take place in a hospital when a patient is an organ donor. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff — along with the organ donor’s family and friends — line the hallway as the patient is transported from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the Operating Room (OR) for organ donation surgery. It’s a way to honor the generous organ donor and recognize their decision to give the gift of life and only happen with the family’s permission. Every aspect is optional.

The atmosphere is often quiet and emotional — a moment of reflection, gratitude and respect. It can also be a way to reflect the personality of the patient – through music, attire, etc.

Honor walks serve several important purposes: To honor the donor, to support the family and to allow caregivers to say goodbye. They are a powerful moment of compassion and show the impact of organ donation in a human way.

What may seem like a simple gesture, carries deep meaning and reflects the compassion of healthcare teams, the strength of families, and the extraordinary impact of organ donation.

If you’ve seen one, you’ve witnessed something both heartbreaking and hopeful: a life honored, and lives saved.

05/15/2026

Behind the scenes!

This morning, some of our newest team members went through training with Aviation Charter. They are a key partner in making organ donation happen and we are so grateful for their partnership. Thank you to Pilot Don for having us!

05/14/2026

For Chris Lacy, teaching has never just been a job. It’s been her calling.

“I knew from the age of five that I wanted to be a teacher,” she says with a smile.

Now in her 32nd year at Chanhassen High School, Chris teaches Personal Wellness — a blend of health and physical education — where she helps students understand not just how their bodies work, but how to care for them for a lifetime. Her goal for every student is simple and heartfelt:

“I always tell my students I want them to live to be 100.”

But getting there requires more than memorizing facts. It requires curiosity, critical thinking and the courage to ask questions — especially about complex topics like organ donation.

Chris has watched education evolve over three decades. Today’s students, she says, are independent and inquisitive. They don’t just accept information — they want to know why.

“When I introduce something new, they always ask why. And I love that.”

That curiosity is especially important when students approach milestones like getting their driver’s permit. As ninth graders begin thinking about checking the organ donor box on their license, questions naturally follow.

“They hear about checking the box, but they don’t fully understand what it means,” Chris explains. “Some of what they know comes from social media — and some of it isn’t correct.”

Instead of shutting down those conversations, Chris leans into them. She invites discussion, asks other students to share what they know and guides the class toward research-based, accurate information. For her, education isn’t about telling students what to decide. It’s about giving them the tools to decide thoughtfully.

“If they’re going to check that box, they need to have all their questions answered. It’s a commitment.”

Chris’ passion for organ donation isn’t only professional; it’s personal.

She remembers attending the service of her aunt, who passed away from lymphoma at a young age. In the midst of grief, she noticed something unexpected: a sign indicating her aunt had donated eye tissue.

“I was baffled,” Chris recalls. “I thought, she has cancer. How can she donate?”

That moment became a lesson. Many common health conditions do not automatically disqualify someone from donation. Even in loss, her aunt was able to help others.

That experience reinforced Chris’ belief that organ donation is rooted in empathy — a value she works hard to cultivate in her classroom.

“One of my biggest values as a teacher is empathy, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Organ donation fits seamlessly with that.”

In her Health Career Exploration classes, Chris also introduces students to career paths they may never have considered — including roles within organ donation and procurement. It broadens their understanding of healthcare beyond doctors and nurses, opening doors to meaningful futures.

At its core, Chris Lacy’s work is about empowerment. She doesn’t pressure students to choose one way or another. She gives them accurate information. She encourages dialogue with trusted adults. She creates a safe space for tough questions.

And then she trusts them.

Because that’s what great teachers do.

“I want them to have the skills,” she says. “Then they can decide.”

In a world filled with noise and misinformation, Chris Lacy is doing something powerful: teaching young people not just what to think — but how to think.

And in the process, she’s helping build a generation that approaches organ donation with knowledge, empathy and confidence.

05/13/2026

As Traci Hafner navigated her first Mother's Day without her son, she says she's grateful for the time they shared.

“I just never took anything for granted,” says Hafner, “And I'm so glad I didn't, because he just felt like such a gift for me.”

She adds, “I feel like he was on loan to me, and the world had bigger things for him to do.”

On Sunday, April 12th, her son Nicholas was struck by a vehicle and tragically passed away at just 21 years old.

For Traci, honoring her son’s memory has become the focus following his death; beginning at the hospital. Dozens of Nicholas' friends and fraternity brothers came to pray at his bedside and later stood in the hall to say one last farewell.

In her son's last act of generosity, he became an organ donor, a decision he made when he was 16 years old and first got his license. Through this generous gift, he was able to save the lives of three people.



Thank you to People for sharing their story - read the full article here https://people.com/mom-navigates-first-mothers-day-after-21-year-old-sons-death-exclusive-11972963

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In April, Garrett Nicholas, a 21-year-old college student, was fatally struck near campus in West Chester, Pa. As his mom navigates her first Mother's Day without him, she says she's grateful for the time they shared.