2026 DLC Gala
The Symphony of Life
Honoring Transplant Professionals.
Inspiring Hope
Saturday, October 3, 2026
The Hotel Marcel | New Haven, CT
6:00 PM
Thank you to all who have purchased tickets and sponsorships. The Symphony of Life Gala is officially SOLD OUT! WE can't wait to see you all on Saturday night.
Eversource Hartford Marathon
Join Donate Life Connecticut for the 33rd running of the Eversource Hartford Marathon
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Donate Life CT is proud to be an Official Charity Partner of the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, and we will be there running strong! We welcome participants to join our team and use their marathon, half marathon, Team 26.2 relay, or Charity 5K as a fundraiser for Donate Life CT. Additionally, any race participant may choose to support our team by adding a charity donation through their registration or donating directly through our fundraising page.
The event has something for the whole family. Run or walk the Charity 5K, volunteer with our group, get a group of 2-5 runners together for the Team 26.2 Relay, run the half marathon or full marathon, and let the kiddos join the action in the HMF FitKids races.
From a “Funeral Suit” to a Celebration Suit
Featured Blog Post
Don Caldwell - Liver Recipient
When Don Caldwell bought a new suit while his health was failing, he joked to his wife that it looked so good she could bury him in it.Today, Don calls it his Celebration Suit.
After receiving a liver transplant in April 2023, Don was given something he could never take for granted: more time. Time with his wife and family. Time to welcome new grandchildren. Time to build friendships within the transplant community. And time to discover a new purpose.
While recovering in the hospital, Don made a promise to honor his donor by paying that legacy forward. Since then, he has embraced what he calls “Don 2.0,” volunteering with Donate Life Connecticut, connecting with people before and after transplant, supporting caregivers, and sharing his story with healthcare professionals and others who need to understand what organ donation makes possible.
His Celebration Suit has become a symbol of a life he once was not sure he would have the chance to live.
Learn more about the types of organ donation and the organs that can be transplanted.
Living donation is an opportunity to save a life while you are still living. Learn more here.
Myths and misinformation exist around organ donation. Learn the facts here.
Transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive, normal lives.
Meet some organ recipients..
More than 1,000 people in Connecticut alone are awaiting a life-saving organ donation. They may be your neighbors or co-workers. View the video below to hear how lives have been changed and people just like you have been given a second chance at life.
Request a Speaker
Donate Life Connecticut representatives and volunteers are always willing to speak about donation. There are many appropriate ways to discuss donation in a public setting, such as during:
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elementary, middle school, or high school classes
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teacher's conferences
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driver's education classes
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religious group meetings
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staff meetings
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civic and service group meetings
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health fairs
If you are interested in having a DLC representative speak at your event, please contact us. Thank you.
VISION.
This volunteer-based coalition believes that working together with a common voice is the best way to reach the goal of increasing the donor registry, which will inevitably impact the number of transplants that give new life and hope to people suffering from fatal illness or life threatening injury.
MISSION.
Donate Life Connecticut is dedicated to the purpose of public education and awareness for all Connecticut residents concerning the lifesaving benefits of organ and tissue donation and increasing the number of registered donors.
Connecticut Donation Statistics
Time Frame | Total Organs | Deceased Organs | Living Organs |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 | 976 | 639 | 337 |
2024 | 561 | 497 | 64 |
2023 | 501 | 398 | 103 |
2022 | 455 | 366 | 89 |
2021 | 491 | 410 | 81 |
2020 | 390 | 308 | 82 |
You too can save lives. Register to be a donor today!
