Michael Dean and Alan Grady share an emotional moment during their first meeting after Dean was given a second chance at life by a kidney and pancreas donated by Alan's late son, Jacob. Submitted photo

The heart is not the only organ in the spotlight today.

Along with Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 also is National Donor Day, a time when Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) tries to publicize the importance of registering as an organ donor and remind people how easy it is to do so at a PennDOT driver license center or by visiting core.org/register online.

“Celebrated along with Valentine's Day, National Donor Day is a special time to consider giving the gift of life by registering as an organ, tissue and cornea donor,” said Susan Stuart, CORE CEO. “It's also a time to recognize loved ones who have given the gift of organ or tissue donation, have received a transplant, or are currently waiting for one.”

Today holds extra meaning for Laurie and Alan Grady, of Renfrew, who recently welcomed Michael Dean and his wife, Tasha, into their home after Dean received a kidney and pancreas from the Gradys’ 21-year-old-son, Jacob, an organ donor who died after a snowmobile accident on New Year’s Eve in 2020.

There are more than 150 hospitals and health care facilities in CORE’s service area acting as referral sites for potential donors. Seven of the hospitals also perform organ transplants, including Allegheny General Hospital, UPMC Children’s Hospital, UPMC Presbyterian and VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

For more information, visit www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7 or 1-800-366-6777.