SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of people gathered at Liberty Park Saturday morning for DonorConnect’s Gift of Life Fun Run, an event that brought together individuals connected by organ donation. For participants, the race held a deeper meaning, uniting organ donors, recipients, families who have lost loved ones, and those still waiting for a transplant. Attendees shared stories of loss, survival, second chances, and hope, with the event celebrating lives saved and honoring those lost, according to organizers.
Tamara Larsen completed the 5K run alongside her daughter and granddaughter, expressing profound gratitude for her donors. Emily Evans, a heart recipient, shared an emotional testimony during the event, stating she would not be alive without her donor.
Among those celebrating lives saved, others ran to honor lives lost. Izzette Elkins ran near the front of the race in memory of her baby brother, Christopher, who died at just 18 months old. Elkins stated she was there to celebrate his life and death, noting that Christopher had saved four lives through organ donation.
Jessica Montoya attended the race with her family and friends, collectively known as the “Montoya Mafia.” Montoya’s husband died last year after a traumatic brain injury, and she found connecting with other families whose lives were changed by organ donation, including recipients, to be both overwhelming and exciting.
From the Uintah Basin, Tomi Rhoades is a familiar face at the annual Gift of Life event, returning each year with a large group of family and friends. Rhoades’ daughter, Mylee, was killed in an ATV accident in 2023. Rhoades described feeling much better knowing she had helped someone and was part of something bigger. She shared that returning to the race has become part of her healing process, noting how amazing it was to see many others going through similar experiences of grieving and healing.
For other families, the event marked a new beginning. Maria Baker of Cottonwood Heights attended with her husband, who had received a new kidney three months prior. Baker expressed immense gratitude for the organ that changed their lives.
The gift of life, however, has not yet come for everyone. Gary Stanger attended the race with his family, including his sister Stephanie Dickison, to support the cause while he waits for a double-lung transplant. Stanger confirmed he is on the recipient list for the procedure. Dickison expressed excitement and joy at witnessing the widespread support for organ donation.
One organ donor has the potential to save multiple lives, while tissue and eye donation can assist even more people, according to DonorConnect. This year’s run marked the first time the DonorConnect Foundation organized the event, which has been taking place for approximately three decades. The DonorConnect Foundation utilizes its funds to support various programs, including grief and bereavement services, legacy and honorary events, and community outreach. The foundation emphasizes the crucial importance of continued community support, particularly as shifts in federal funding are impacting efforts to support donor families and recipients across Utah and the broader Mountain West region.