Ryan and Natalie Stoway

The first Saturday in June isn’t just a regular weekend. It’s a day filled with hundreds of people gathering to honor and celebrate the lives of donor heroes, transplant recipients, people who are waiting for a transplant, and many others at the annual Midwest Transplant Network Donate Life Legacy Walk in Kansas City, Missouri.

The event means different things to the people who are walking. MTN Ambassador Alexis Stoway says, “I walk at the Legacy Walk every year for both my children. My daughter, Natalie, is a kidney and a tissue recipient, and my son, Ryan, was a donor hero when he passed in 2021. He was able to donate a tendon and a ligament to his sister, and she received it in her knee.”

After losing her son Ryan, Alexis said she finds her emotions go up and down. “I know that for three hours on that day, during the Legacy Walk, that I’m at peace. It’s amazingly incredible to see the donor hero families celebrating their loved ones, and then you see the recipients also celebrating their second chance, their second chance at life, their second chance at recovery, their second chance at sight. Seeing all of them and everybody from every walk of life, no matter who you are, it doesn’t matter because everybody is there for one reason.”

Part of the team
Who joins Alexis during the walk? “Family, friends, Ryan’s friends, Natalie’s friends, everybody that wants to celebrate. My kids, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends,” she said. “There’s been anywhere from 40 to 70 of us in our group. That’s what we come to do and it’s a place for everybody to be together as one.”

Alexis said it brings a lot of comfort knowing that a donor hero is not forgotten and is still appreciated whether it’s 10, 15 or 20 years down the road. They’re still being celebrated for the gifts they have given.

Her mission
Alexis and her family proudly wear their MTN T-shirts when they are out, or at school and even on vacation. The family is happy to participate in the conversations that start because of their shirts, and the Donate Life green bracelets they wear that honor donors and give hope to those waiting for the gift of life.

“We wore our Give Hope Share Life sweatshirts at Dollywood recently. We were stopped twice by people there. One person was waiting for a liver and thanked us for bringing awareness and for also wearing our green ribbons. Another person had a liver transplant 20 years ago. He had never seen anybody wear anything like that and he was so proud.”

Ryan’s parents and sister join the MTN Legacy Walk every year.

Plan to join us
Midwest Transplant Network invites you to join us for the ninth annual Donate Life Legacy Walk on Saturday, June 7, from 6–9 p.m. at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. The celebration welcomes donor hero families, transplant recipients, people who are on the waiting list and many more who support the mission of organ, eye and tissue donation.

This year, the live concert features local band Twice on Sunday, several food trucks with snacks and meals for purchase, the MTN Tribute Trail honoring loved ones, and the opportunity to make memories. The walk is in a new spot at the Memorial. Look for us on the south lawn near the entrance. There are lots of trees for more shade, a natural amphitheater and a smaller, cozier space. Please plan to attend and celebrate the gift of life while helping raise awareness about the importance of being an organ, eye and tissue donor. Learn more and register for the Legacy Walk at mwtn.org/legacy-walk 

Watch and listen

Take a moment to watch and listen as Alexis tells us why she walks.