Despite holding a variety of paying jobs over the years, Donna Friedrich referred to herself as a “career volunteer” because her true calling was serving others. She volunteered with many organizations and served as a caregiver to many family members and friends over the years.
In 2015, Donna’s life was saved thanks to an organ donor. After recovering from her lung transplant, she again focused on giving back by volunteering with LifeBanc. Through her work with the organization, she shared her story and advocated strongly for organ donation.
“Her mission always was to help others,” says her daughter, Lindsay Hackney.
Even when Donna’s health began to fail and she could no longer volunteer, she was known to share stories of homeless or missing pets online so they could be reunited with their owner or find a loving home.
Toward the end of her life, after she entered hospice and learned that she couldn’t donate any of her own organs because of her medical issues, Donna wished to donate her body to science, with the hope of still helping others through education and research. She chose the Cleveland Clinic Body Donation Program because she received most of her medical care surrounding her lung transplant as well as two cancer journeys at Cleveland Clinic.
“Her donation was her final act of giving,” says Lindsay. “I hope she is remembered for her love, kindness, faith, hope and lifelong selfless giving. May others be inspired to help because of her.”
