The New York Organ Donor Network Memory Quilt is a testament to organ, eye and tissue donation. The Memory Quilt squares have been created by donor families to commemorate their loved ones.

The squares that are stitched onto the panels are surrounded by the embroidered framework of transplant recipients by first name. The acknowledgement of donors and recipients symbolizes "the circle of life".

Many donor families have told us that creating their squares helped them through their grief journey. Each tribute contains special details representing the donor's life - photographs, poems, quotes and trinkets. Squares have been made out of sentimental materials such as a loved one's baby blanket, a t-shirt, jeans, sport jacket and a favorite sweater.

The Memory Quilt panels travel throughout the greater New York metropolitan area and across the nation, spreading the word about organ, eye and tissue donation.

The coordinator of the quilt project is Ronnie Schwartz, who received a new liver in July 1993. The previous Memory Quilt coordinator was Barbara Musto, a donor mother.

We wish to acknowledge our panel quilters, all of whom are volunteers.

Panels 1 and 2: Erica Miller

Panel 3: Claire-Ann Vinci, a donor aunt.

Panel 4: Michele Miroff

Panel 5: Lise Golub, a donor mother.

Panel 6: The “Quilters in the Park,” including Carole Hunka, a donor mother, who met at Eisenhower Park on Long Island, where the Rose Garden honoring donors and their families is located.

Panel 7: Barara Fotiades of Smithtown Quilters.

Panel 8: The front of the panel was sewn by Karen Paulick, a liver recipient from Cutchogue, NY. Justine Schembri, a donor wife from Newburgh, NY, quilted and completed the panel.

Panel 9: Donor wife Justine Schembri was the quilter.

Panel 10: A square on this panel that was quilted by donor wife, Justine Schembri, is dedicated to her husband, Tony.

Panel 11: Donor wife Justine Schembri was the quilter.

Additional quilt panels will be added to this site on an ongoing basis.

The quilt project affords a precious way to pay special tribute to those loved ones who gave the "Gift of Life." It is a way to celebrate and honor their lives. Many donor family quilt squares have been sent along with stories of their loved ones, which you can read by clicking on the individual squares.

Many donor family quilt squares have been sent along with stories of their loved ones, which you can read by clicking on the individual squares.

If you would like to create a square for a donor, send an e-mail to rschwartz@nyodn.org.