DFW-based national nonprofit, Taylor’s Gift Foundation, has announced the 2018 honorees for the 4th Annual Outlive Yourself Awards presented by The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas and Methodist Transplant Specialties. Honorees this year are Dr. Liza Johannesson and Meg Bacino. This will be the third consecutive year that The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas and Methodist Transplant Specialties has supported the Foundation as the Presenting Sponsor. 

Dr. Johannesson made news in 2014 as an integral member of the Swedish team who performed the first successful uterus transplant with the first birth from a uterus transplant in the world. In 2017 she was also involved when Baylor University Medical Center as the second center in the world delivered a healthy baby after uterus transplantation. Dr. Johannesson's contribution to the Reproductive Medicine (infertility/gynecology) and Transplant Surgery fields has allowed women and families throughout the world to truly  "outlive" themselves. For the first time in history, women who were born without a uterus are able to have a baby of their own through the innovation of uterus transplant.

Dr. Johannesson is not only a hardworking surgeon, she is kind and caring to her patients and their families who trust her and her team throughout these experimental procedures. Her expertise, confidence and loving manner put her patients at ease. Dr. Johannesson is also a dedicated wife and mother. She and her husband, who is a spine surgeon, are amazing parents to 3 beautiful and smart girls.  

Dr. Johannesson is truly a pioneer in her field and in large part because of her hard work and dedication, the fields of reproductive medicine and transplant surgery have been changed forever.

Margaret ‘Meg’ Bacino donated her kidney to her son Nick when he was 5 years old after several months of caring for him including, dialysis in their home. After his transplant, Meg ran half-marathons and triathlons to increase awareness of being a living donor.  She was also involved in fundraisers that supported and encouraged organ donation. After 10 years of health Nick began to have decreased kidney function and for the last few years Meg has been with him in Dialysis 3 times per week. She changed her career and has sacrificed her entire life to ensure and protect her son who is now 19. Meg also made a difference in outliving herself by sharing her experiences with others and encouraging those who she met to consider organ donation.

"Meg has inspired many, including myself, to give the gift of life when we have lost loved ones. I can think of no better way to Outlive Yourself than to be an advocate for organ donation. Because of her selfless devotion to the cause, countless lives have been saved." - Carmen White, 2018 Host Committee Member

Award recipients will be honored at the 4th Annual Outlive Yourself Awards presented by The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas and Methodist Transplant Specialties and held on Tuesday, September 18th, 2018 at 3015 at Trinity Groves in Dallas, TX.  "Dr. Johannesson and Meg are both incredible servant leaders. We are very excited they were selected for this prestigious award because they both have had such a positive impact on the lives of others." - Tara and Todd Storch, cofounders of Taylor’s Gift.

The Outlive Yourself Awards is an opportunity to celebrate those that are making a lasting difference in the lives of others. The event was launched in 2015 and it is a special night that seeks to celebrate the lives and actions of inspiring individuals while also supporting the mission and work of Taylor's Gift Foundation.

The Foundation has helped to increase organ donor registrations and is the only organization in the country that financially supports organ donor families touched through their Legacy Gift program. This unique program assists organ donor families with immediate needs such as food, clothing, medical expenses, utilities, rental assistance, funeral or burial costs. 96% of every dollar raised for the Legacy Gift program directly impacts the program. Proceeds from the Outlive Yourself Awards will go to support this life-changing program and the overall mission of Taylor’s Gift Foundation. 

For additional information regarding the September 18th Outlive Yourself Awards, visit TaylorsGift.org/Events or e-mail LindsayCleland@TaylorsGift.org.

2018 Outlive Yourself Award Sponsors:

The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas and Methodist Transplant Specialties - Presenting Sponsor
Ben E. Keith - Beverage Sponsor
Republic - Wine Sponsor
Southwest Transplant Alliance - Table Host
Tiffany’s - Award Sponsor 

2018 Outlive Yourself Award Event Leadership:

Robin and Norm Bagwell - Event Chairs
Dr. Tiffany Anthony and Mr. Chris Williams - Host Committee
Stacy and David Apple - Host Committee
Saryn and Jonathan Dietz - Host Committee
Shaley and Javier Espinosa - Host Committee
Karen and Tobin Hartman - Host Committee
Susan and Albert Hoover - Host Committee
Shelly and Clay Huffstutter - Host Committee
Elizabeth Hughes - Host Committee
Roanne and James Lasater - Host Committee
Lisa and Frank Marshall - Host Committee
Annalisa and Andy Mena - Host Committee
Dina Schulz - Host Committee
Ryan Sienty - Host Committee
Sandi and Dr. Bill Taylor - Host Committee
Juli and Kary Taylor - Host Committee
Carmen and Lance White - Host Committee
Kyle and Michelle Young - Host Committee 

Taylor’s Gift Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010, with a mission to “Regift Life, Renew Health and Restore Families”. The Foundation’s financial give back  is their Legacy Gift program to assist organ donor families who are faced with immediate financial needs. For more information, visit www.TaylorsGift.org. Follow the Foundation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TaylorsGift and Twitter: https://twitter.com/taylorsgift.