LiveOnNY to Celebrate Leaders in Organ Donation at First Luminaries & Legacies Gala

LiveOnNY to Host Inaugural Luminaries & Legacies Celebration

LiveOnNY is poised to celebrate its very first Luminaries & Legacies event on Thursday, April 16, 2026. This notable gathering is set to take place at the elegant venue located at 22 Vanderbilt, 335 Madison Avenue, New York City, starting at 6:00 PM. The evening aims to bring together influential figures within the organ donation and transplantation community, honoring their efforts in fostering collaboration, celebrating innovation, and reflecting on the unifying goal of enhancing lives through organ donation.

At this landmark celebration, Dr. Robert A. Montgomery, esteemed Professor of Surgery and Director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, will receive the inaugural LiveOnNY 2026 Luminary Award. Recognized for his significant contributions, Dr. Montgomery exemplifies visionary leadership, innovation, and a commitment to equity within the field. Leonard Achan, President and CEO of LiveOnNY, praised Dr. Montgomery's humanitarian work, highlighting that his collaborative approach has allowed many individuals to lead healthier lives through advancements in organ donation.

The evening will not only spotlight individuals but also acknowledge hospitals in the New York metropolitan area. The prestigious 2025 LiveOnNY Legacies Award will honor institutions like Garnet Health Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and Stony Brook University Hospital, recognizing their impactful contributions towards enhancing organ donation rates and honoring the wishes of donors.

In addition to the Legacies Awards, individual heroes from these hospitals will be acknowledged with the LiveOnNY Donor Champion Award, the highest accolade bestowed by the organization. This award recognizes individuals who show unwavering passion for promoting organ donation and offering support to donor families, solidifying their commitment to this critical cause.

“A celebration of this scale allows us to recognize and appreciate the relentless dedication of healthcare professionals who make organ donation feasible,” stated Achan. He further emphasized that every participant in this mission plays a vital role in providing hope to the many patients awaiting transplants.

Sustaining these efforts involves funding, and proceeds from the Luminaries & Legacies event will be directed to support the LiveOnNY Foundation. This organization promotes education and awareness about the life-saving impacts of organ donation, assists donor families, and nurtures the next generation of healthcare leaders through various programs including scholarships for students aspiring to work in health and human services.

For anyone interested in attending the Luminaries & Legacies gala or seeking further information on ticket purchases, detailed insights are available on the LiveOnNY website.

About LiveOnNY Foundation

The LiveOnNY Foundation is committed to raising awareness about the lifesaving potential of organ and tissue donation while supporting donor families and transplant patients throughout their journeys.

About LiveOnNY

Established in 1978, LiveOnNY is recognized as a premier organ procurement organization (OPO) in the United States. Operating across a diverse community of 13 million people within New York City and surrounding counties, LiveOnNY collaborates with over 100 hospitals to support the aspirations of donor families and transplant recipients. Notably, it has succeeded in increasing organ donations by 85% over the last five years—a testament to the organization’s impactful work.

The Luminaries & Legacies event stands as a crucial moment not only to celebrate pivotal contributors to organ donation but also to advance the mission of saving and transforming lives through continued dedication to this cause.