The speaker's podium at the recent "Donate Life" party hosted locally on May 7 to mark a National Donate Life Month campaign. one that concluded in April, is manned by Bernie & Phyl's CEO Larry Rubin, left, and his brother, Rob Rubin, company president and double organ recipient, who are surrounded here in celebration by New England Donor Services volunteers, Bernie & Phyl's staff members, organ recipient families, and registered organ donors whose future gifts surely will save lives. Photo courtesy New England Donor Services

NASHUA – A thankful crowd in Nashua celebrated on May 7 the conclusion of a special nationwide event, “Donate Life Month,” hosted throughout April by New England Donor Services (NEDS), with local backing by Bernie & Phyl’s CEO Larry Rubin and brother Rob Rubin, president.

Both brothers have experienced firsthand the lifesaving impact organ donation can have on families.

Rob recently received a kidney and liver transplant from a deceased donor. Larry, who was diagnosed with kidney failure at age 10, continues to await a living donor kidney. Resources in partnership with New England Donor Services surely have enhanced Larry’s ongoing search and Rob’s success as a kidney and liver recipient.

“New England Donor Services was proud to partner with Bernie & Phyl’s during April’s ‘National Donate Life Month’ to spotlight the importance of organ and tissue donation and show gratitude to those who selflessly make the decision to be a donor,” said Matthew Boger, senior director of Government Relations at New England Donor Services.

“Organ donation is a true gift of life, and we are grateful to Bernie & Phyl’s CEO Larry Rubin and President Rob Rubin for highlighting this through their personal organ donation stories,” Boger added.

The Rubins and other recipient families shared their own stories during the gathering, one that was festooned with balloons and red hearts as decorations.

The brothers heralded the meaningful difference organ donation can make for individuals and families across the region. The gathering at the Nashua Bernie & Phyl’s store, located at 243 Daniel Webster Highway, was part of a series of events hosted at a trio of Bernie & Phyl’s furniture locations in New England in partnership with NEDS.

The outreach delighted scores of organ donation supporters, organ recipients and those who already have expressed their commitment to give life upon their passing through registering the intention with the National Donate Life Registry sponsored by NEDS.

The NEDS organization was founded in 1968 by Nobel Laureate Dr. Joseph Murray, who performed the world’s first successful organ transplant. The nonprofit is operational in six New England states and Bermuda. Online documentation affirms that today “NEDS works with thousands of donors and donor families who have generously made the decision to give the gift of life.”

More information on Donate Life Month is available from New England Donor Services, based in Waltham, Mass. Contact the group online at neds.org.