Threads of Life Quilts

Ordinary people with extraordinary stories of inspiration, hope, and courage create quilt squares as a means of sharing their stories and spreading the word about the critical need for and benefits of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

These quilts are dedicated to the memory of those who gave the gifts of life, sight, health, and mobility. They also celebrate the lives of transplant recipients and offer hope to those awaiting transplant.  Each quilt is comprised of individually-designed squares created by community members touched by organ, eye, and tissue donation.

The quilts are not only a beautiful and inspiring tribute but also serve as a thought-provoking testament to the fact that organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation transform lives.

2023 marks 25 years of the Threads of Life Quilts! In honor of this occasion, we made an anniversary quilt book, highlighting squares from each quilt from 1999 to 2023. You can view the 25th Anniversary Quilt Book here.

25 years of memories in pictures:

Quilt Articles

• The project for Donate Life Northwest is in it's 25th year. Author: kgw.com
• Donate Life Northwest host their 22nd annual 'threads of life quilt unveiling'. By: Joelle Jones

• Rylee Jackson Honored On ‘Threads Of Life’ Quilt. By: Randy Parks

• Heart transplant survivors share their stories through a quilt. By:NBC Tri-Cities

• Death leads to life-saving gifts. By Jill Rehkopf Smith

• Organ donation encouraged with ‘Threads of Life Quilt’ project.Story and photos by David F. Ashton

• Donate Life Northwest honors organ donors, recipients with quilt at Adventist Medical Center.By Terry Richard | The Oregonian/OregonLive

• Quilt symbolizes life, death and love. By: Larry Meyer - Argus Observer

• Life from tragedy. By Kathy Aney East Oregonian

Reservations

The Threads of Life quilts travel throughout Oregon and SW Washington and are displayed in schools, places of worship, government buildings, and businesses to inspire individuals to make the personal choice to sign up on the Donor Registry. The quilts are never auctioned or sold. If you are interested in requesting a quilt for display of less than a month, you can fill out the quilt request form. Older quilts may be loaned for semi-permanent display in partner agencies, hospitals, or other public or semi-public locales. Contact our office if you are interested in displaying a quilt long-term.