Spreading organ donor awareness with the Gatemen

Tuesday, July 29 holds a special meaning for Wareham resident Kathy O'Brien.

While volunteering with the New England Donor Services, Kathy honored her late husband Shawn's birthday. As the players took to the field, Kathy attended with  friends and family, something the couple would frequently do together before his passing in 2023. 

Shawn, who was born in Wareham and graduated from Wareham High School, was an organ donor and helped provide  

Inspired by Shawn’s heroic final act of giving the gift of life to others through organ donation, Kathy has since become a dedicated volunteer for New England Donor Services. The organization's staff medically screen referrals for potential donations from more than 200 hospitals across the region and lead all donor authorization discussions with families.

The organization also allocates organs according to the national transplant waiting list and coordinates their transport to ensure the right organs get to the right patients at the right time.

The New England Donor Services coordinated 2,267 individuals who became donors in 2024 and conducted 1,570 life saving transplants. 

At the game, Kathy tabled for the organization and shared Shawn’s story with attendees as she walked through the crowd handing out goodies. Kathy has attended six games to support her home team this season.

According to Kathy, the ultimate gift was being able to watch the Wareham Gatemen beat the Chatham Anglers 9-0 to clinch the playoffs.

With more than 5,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in New England alone, Kathy and other volunteers hope to encourage others to register as organ donors by sharing how the act has touched their own lives. 

Those interested can register at https://www.registerme.org/.