Network for Hope recently recognized five of its Donate Life Ambassadors with the annual Donation Champion awards for their efforts in going “above and beyond” as volunteers.

Aimee Cordrey, of Cincinnati, was recognized with the Legacy Award, given to a donor family member. Her son, Nick, became an organ and tissue donor at 15 years old.

“Frankly, it’s hard to process being recognized for any ‘contribution’ when it often feels like I have only been grieving publicly for five years,” Cordrey said. “However, I accept the award because I know this much to be true: if volunteering (in whatever form that looks like) in Nick’s memory helps ensure he is never forgotten in this community, and if it helps even one other person find their own hope amidst darkness, then this Legacy Award is my greatest testament to Nick’s life.”

The Donate Life Ambassador Award is given to a volunteer who embodies Network for Hope’s life-saving mission. George Cecere, of Centerville, received this recognition. His wife, Terri, is a heart transplant recipient.

As the caregiver to Terri, this person went above and beyond to give back and support other caregivers of transplant patients by founding the Caregiver’s Circle, a virtual peer-led support community. He now supports more than 130 caregivers across the country.

A Champion for Life is someone who has been an outstanding advocate for organ, tissue, and eye donation in the community. This year’s award-winner was Adria Johnson, who is a donor mom to KJ, and the President and CEO of Metro United Way in Louisville.

The Theodore E. Smith Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution in education and/or promotion of the life-saving mission in communities of color. This year’s winner was Marcus Edwards, a kidney transplant recipient who volunteers his time in Louisville as a Donate Life Ambassador.

Network for Hope also recognizes one of its team members who has gone above and beyond to advocate for the gift of life with the Samantha Jameson Vision Award. Amos Gammons, of Louisville, who works as the senior tissue recovery coordinator, received this award.

“We are so thankful to these Voices of Hope and Donation Champions for giving back to the community and sharing the importance of organ, tissue, and eye donation. They are truly making a difference, and we couldn’t do what we do without them,” Andi Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at Network for Hope, said.

To learn more about Network for Hope, please visit networkforhope.org.