The Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (nPOD) works with all OPOs in the country to place pancreata from organ donors with type 1 diabetes.nPOD gives an award to the recovery partner that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help with our type 1 diabetes research program. Jason Benjamin is the recipient of this year’s nPOD Hero Award. Jason has always been willing to field questions regarding nPOD research, and worked tirelessly to help nPOD create a pancreatic recovery video over the last several months. Together with Jim Kisthard, he choreographed and recorded the video, then Jason went through hours of recording studio efforts to create the final thirty minute video to help all our recovery partners.
Jason Benjamin has been working with LifeCenter Northwest (LCNW) in Seattle for over 10 years. In the last two years he has managed the surgical team. Since joining LifeCenter, Jason’s passion for donation is evident in his drive to fulfill the mission of donation and research: through his collaboration with local transplant centers to increase local acceptance of kidney and pancreas, to his work with nPod and IIAM on research organ acceptance, awareness and education. Utilizing education and accountability, Jason has increased LifeCenter’s research organ placement as much as 90% in 2014. His leadership has inspired the staff at LCNW and many OPO’s throughout the nation on the importance of research organs. Those that have worked with him in training or side by side in the field have come to recognize the integrity and respect that Jason carries for each and every organ donor and their family.