Gifts of Hope
an extension of love and support from one donor family to another.
Why this initiative is important to us
Andy’s contagious laugh was one of the many great qualities he was known for. Andy was always generous when it came to helping others. Seeing people’s thankfulness and gratitude was exactly the reason Andy loved to help. He did not lend a hand for money or personal gain but for what it represented; his selflessness.
On May 5, 2013 Andy heroically entered the Human Organ Procurement Exchange (HOPE) program and gave his final, and greatest gift, the gift of new life when he became an organ and tissue donor.
On that day Andy instantly saved and changed the lives of 5 people in the Edmonton area. Andy’s lungs gave new hope to a man in Alberta with end stage lung disease. Andy’s kidneys ended the struggles of dialysis for 2 separate individuals. A man from Alberta with end stage heart disease was given new life when he received Andy’s heart. Andy’s liver and pancreas provided a mother the opportunity to watch her children grow.
His gift doesn’t end there, his selfless act continued to touch and improve the lives of up to 75 more through his tissue donation. Through tragedy and grief, new hope and fresh beginnings have been given to many through Andy’s generosity and the HOPE Program (currently known as Give Life Alberta).
From one family to another
The Andy Polanski Charitable Foundation (APCF) is proudly working with AHS Transplant Services to support patients, families and Give Life Alberta to raise organ and tissue donation awareness and support organ donor families during a time of greatest need. Being able to extend support to an organ donor family through such a difficult and heartbreaking time is a small gesture Andy’s family wishes to extend from one organ donor family to another.
APCF hosted an Evening of Hope event and raised funds to support purchasing Gifts of Hope collections which will be provided to organ donor families upon entry into the organ donation program by Give Life Alberta.
Our call to action
Through the difficult time of Andy’s passing, his immediate family was fortunately surrounded by a large extended family and friends. In an effort to extend the same kind of support, APCF remains committed to providing Gifts of Hope for other organ donor families.
This unique collection includes accommodation gift cards, food gift cards, parking passes, toiletry items, comfort items (pillow, blanket and teddy bear) to assist with immediate needs during time spent at the hospital while in the Give Life Alberta Program with their organ donor hero. Additional items, such as a memory box, ceramic heart, and donor recognition medal are keepsake items to honor the donor hero and to be treasured by the family members.
1
Gift Cards for accomodation, food and parking
2
Toiletry Items
3
Comfort Items ~ Blanket, pillow, teddy bear
4
Memory Box Keepsake
5
Ceramic Heart Keepsake
6
Donor Recognition Medal