Sixteen-year-
One of the major programs during April’s National Donate Life Month will be the rollout of the “Gift of Life Family Transport Vehicle,” a free transportation service that will provide grieving families of organ donors in the New York metropolitan area with 24-hour transport until the recovery of organs for transplantation can take place.
The rollout of this very special and compassionate program will include two fundraisers that will help to defray the cost of this unique service. A benefit fundraiser will take place on April 23 from 7 to 11pm at The Staaten, 697 Forest Avenue on Staten Island. A “Ride for Life,” organized by the New York City Fire Riders Motorcycle Club, will start at noon on Sunday, April 26 at the South Beach parking lot on Staten Island and end at Mollie Ryan’s Pub, which is located at 2574 Arthur Kill Road.
Warren Forsyth, Amanda’s father, a former New York City fireman (and 9/11 first responder) said that when Amanda’s accident occurred, his colleagues and friends in the city’s fire department stepped in and provided 24 hour volunteer transportation service for his family.
“The gesture made all the difference for my wife Diane and me at a time when we were suffering the devastating loss of a child,” Warren said. “This service allowed for our family to be with her as much as possible during the hospitalization, relieving us the stressful task of driving during our grief.”
Now, Diane and Warren, together with Amanda’s siblings, Jennifer, Cariane, Robert and Julianne, believe that this service should be available to all families going through similar ordeals. That is why they created this charity. Drivers will be volunteers from the New York Police and Fire Departments, and 100% of financial contributions will go to the fund—all of which will go toward the purchasing of vehicle insurance, tolls, gas and maintenance. Further information regarding fundraising needs can be found at www.GiftofLifeTransport.com.
“The Gift of Life Family Transport is supported by the New York Organ Donor Network because we recognize that this is a very important need being filled for donor families,” said the Donor Network’s CEO and President, Elaine Berg.
