A patchwork of love, the National Donor Family Quilt, will have its first international showing at the 18th International Congress of the Transplantation Society, held here today through August 31, 2000. The quilt, which is a moving tribute to the selflessness of those whose generous donation has enabled others to receive a second chance at life, has toured the United States for the last seven years, visiting more than 200 cities annually to spread awareness about organ and tissue donation.
Families have the opportunity to contribute squares to the quilt at any time.
Four times each year, the National Donor Family Council hosts quilt pinning ceremonies where families can bring new squares and share feelings and memories about their loved ones to an audience of donor families. The squares are later stitched on to the quilt. They embrace the idea of creating a lasting tribute to their loved ones. Each square is personalized with special details designed to honor the donor's life, such as photographs, poems, quotes and fabric from favorite clothing. Stories about the donors whose lives the squares represent are also posted.