Senate Resolution No. 1302

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Gift of Life
International on September 13, 2025

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to organizations and individuals who have demonstrated
significant contributions to the health and well-being of people around
the globe; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Gift of Life International, to be
celebrated at its Golden Jubilee Gala on Saturday, September 13, 2025,
at the Uniondale Marriott in Uniondale, New York; and

WHEREAS, This milestone event marks the 50th Anniversary of Gift of
Life International, a global network of affiliated organizations that
has provided lifesaving cardiac care to more than 62,000 children in 80
countries across five continents since its inception in 1975; and

WHEREAS, The Golden Jubilee Gala is expected to be the largest
gathering of Gift of Life partners ever, bringing together affiliates,
like-minded global partners, generous donors, compassionate volunteers,
and dedicated Rotarians to both celebrate the past and inspire the
future of pediatric cardiac care; and

WHEREAS, The evening will recognize and honor the exceptional
contributions of St. Francis Hospital and The HeartGift Foundation, both
of which have played vital roles in supporting Gift of Life
International's life-saving mission; and

WHEREAS, Gift of Life International was founded by Robbie Donno,
whose visionary leadership and compassionate spirit laid the foundation
for an organization that would grow from a local effort into the world's
largest NGO providing cardiac care to children in the emerging world;
and

WHEREAS, The organization's journey began in 1975 when Grace Agwaru
became the first child to receive life-saving heart surgery through the
Gift of Life program; today, she serves as a powerful ambassador and
living testament to the transformative impact of this mission; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its extraordinary history, Gift of Life
International has marked numerous milestones including the formation of
its official not-for-profit structure in 2003, the treatment of its
10,000th child in 2008, and the implementation of a
sustainability-focused strategy in 2009 which enabled a dramatic
expansion of its global impact; and

WHEREAS, By 2018, Gift of Life's core programs in Uganda and El
Salvador reached sustainability, allowing local healthcare systems to
provide ongoing treatment to children in need without external support;
and

WHEREAS, Despite global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic,
Gift of Life International continued to rise to the occasion, providing
care to over 3,400 children in 2020-2021 and exceeding that number in
subsequent years-including treating a record 5,003 children in 2023; and

WHEREAS, Today, a child receives care through the Gift of Life
network every 99 minutes, a staggering achievement that underscores the
scale and efficiency of this global humanitarian effort; and

WHEREAS, The Golden Jubilee Gala will not only honor this profound
legacy of healing but will also shine a spotlight on the children whose
lives have been saved-some of whom will be present to share their
journeys and inspire hope for the future; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Gift of Life International, and to
express heartfelt appreciation for five decades of life-saving service
to children in need around the world; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Gift of Life International.