On a picture-perfect summer morning, walkers and runners gathered at the scenic Kent State University Porthouse Theatre on the grounds of Blossom Music Center for the 2025 Lifebanc Gift of Life Walk & Run. This year marked the event’s debut at the new location, offering expanded green space while preserving beloved traditions like the Legacy Garden, T-shirt Row, the First-Timer’s Tent, and the Kids Zone.
The morning began at 7:30 a.m. as gates opened for participants to explore activity areas, connect with families, and enjoy pre-race festivities. At 9:00 a.m., the live show kicked off with emcee Ahmaad Crump (Cleveland Cavaliers in-arena host) who energized the crowd before the start of the 1-mile Family Fun Walk and 5K Race. Cheers erupted as participants took to the course winding through the Blossom grounds. By 10:00 a.m., finish-line celebrations were in full swing as race results were announced, followed by the Legacy Garden Program — a deeply moving tribute featuring a butterfly release, photographs of donors and recipients, and quiet moments of reflection that brought tears, smiles, and heartfelt embraces.
“Every step we take today is in honor of someone’s story — a life saved, a loved one remembered, or a family still waiting for their call,” said Katie Payne, CEO of Lifebanc. “The Gift of Life Walk & Run is about connection, community, and carrying forward the incredible legacy of donation. Seeing so many people come together in this new, beautiful space reminds us that hope is alive and growing.”
The Gift of Life Walk & Run is more than a fitness event — it’s a gathering of hope and remembrance that raises awareness about the power of organ, eye, and tissue donation while celebrating the lives saved through transplantation. Proceeds support Lifebanc’s mission to provide community education, donor family care, and advocacy for organ donation registration.
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About Lifebanc
Lifebanc is Northeast Ohio’s non-profit organ, eye, and tissue recovery organization, serving over four million people in a 20-county area. Partnering with 80 hospitals, Lifebanc facilitates the donation process, provides ongoing care to donor families, and delivers community education to encourage registration on the Ohio Donor Registry. Learn more at www.lifebanc.org