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Every April, National Donate Life Month honors the selflessness of organ donors and encourages Americans to register as organ donors. This year, Jay Leno has taken his support to new heights, helping raise an impressive $675,000 through his Big Dog Garage Tour, all in support of MatchingDonors.com—a leading nonprofit helping patients in need of lifesaving living organ donor transplants.

Leno, known for his legendary car collection housed in a 100,000-square-foot facility, has not only increased his collection of automobiles but has also helped increase the number of lives saved. His generous philanthropy through MatchingDonors.com has been an ongoing force for good, helping countless patients secure living organ donors and receive critical transplants.

MatchingDonors.com supporter Andy Hartmann, a retired entrepreneur from New Hampshire, reached out to Paul Dooley, the nonprofit’s CEO and founder, about a building valued at $675,000 he was considering selling or donating. Knowing Hartmann was a longtime fan of Leno, Dooley suggested, “If you are considering donating the building, I might be able to arrange a private tour of Jay Leno’s garage.”

Hartmann immediately responded, “That sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime offer—it’s a deal.”

When Dooley contacted Leno with the idea, Leno enthusiastically agreed, stating, “What a fantastic gesture by Andy to donate that property to MatchingDonors. We’ll make sure he and his friends have an unforgettable experience when they come for the tour.”

Hartmann, who previously donated property to MatchingDonors.com, expressed his excitement about making another impactful gift, saying, “It’s a powerful way for me to make a lasting difference for individuals in urgent need of organ transplants.”

Founded in 2004, MatchingDonors.com is one of the most successful nonprofit organizations facilitating living organ donor transplants. The organization has helped over 10,000 patients and maintains a registry of more than 15,000 vetted, altruistic organ donors.

With 86% of patients waiting for a kidney transplant, the urgency for living donors cannot be overstated. The national organ transplant list often requires patients to wait 7–15 years for a deceased donor transplant—time that many do not have. Tragically, every day, 15 people die waiting for a transplant, while an additional 250 die without ever being placed on the list.

Unlike the invite-only government transplant waiting list, MatchingDonors.com welcomes every patient who is registered at a U.S. transplant hospital. Many patients find compatible living donors and receive transplants within six months, drastically improving their chances for survival.

Realtors Tony Raizes and Fred Attalla, of Point East Properties in Portsmouth, NH, have played an invaluable role in facilitating property donations, ensuring funds go directly toward supporting transplant patients.

Through the generosity of figures like Jay Leno and Andy Hartmann, MatchingDonors.com continues to transform lives. Their contributions shine as outstanding examples of how individuals can make a meaningful difference in the fight against organ transplant shortages.

For those looking to help, donating to MatchingDonors.com—whether through financial contributions, property donations, or registering as an organ donor—can be a life-changing gift.