In 2023, Kweku Akese was a senior at the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science, thinking about college and making his mark in the world. Inspired by his passion for biochemistry and a personal connection to sickle cell disease—a disorder that alters the shape of red blood cells and blocks blood flow, leading to intense pain, organ damage, and other serious complications—Kweku wanted to make a difference in the lives of youth affected by this condition.

Kweku learned about “vein finders,” medical devices that use near-infrared light reflection to create a map of the veins and allow...

In the United States, nearly 90,000 people are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, and the wait time average is three to five years. While finding a living donor is an often long and arduous process, this ended up being the easy part of the health journey for Nancy Hursey, a former nurse who was told she needed a kidney transplant amid living with diabetes and after two years on dialysis.

Thanks to the generosity of a young woman living in her community, Nancy quickly found a donor who was not just eager to help save her life but who was also a perfect match. Nancy and Frank...

This inspirational collection of donor and patient stories demonstrates how we support patients and caregivers, helping to provide funds for our patients to live stronger, healthier lives.

Create your own fundraising event

Help raise money for all UMass Memorial Health. It’s so easy to do with a community fundraiser and here are simple tips and tools to get started!

1. Choose your fundraising cause, contact us and register.
2. Decide how you want to raise money. You’re only limited by your imagination.
3. Set up your free JustGiving page to make the money part easy for you.
4. Make it happen. Bring your fundraiser to life.
5. Celebrate your impact.

The philanthropy team at UMass Memorial Health is here to assist you.

For General Inquiries

UMass Memorial Health 
Office of Philanthropy
365 Plantation Street, One Biotech
Worcester, MA 01605
Phone: 774-443-GIVE (4483)
Email: Give@umassmemorial.org

Chief Philanthropy Officer

Kathleen Driscoll
Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer
Kathleen.Driscoll@umassmemorial.org

Staff

Sandra Dowd
AVP of Philanthropy Operations, Stewardship & Finance
Sandra.Dowd@umassmemorial.org

Liz Parker Gagne
Donor and Community Engagement Officer
Liz.ParkerGagne@umassmemorial.org

Tina Foley
Gifts Processor
Christina.Foley...