Local Family to Participate in Honoring Donor for their Daughter’s Life-Saving Gift
LifeGift’s 2nd Chance Run (5K/1mile walk or run) is being held on Saturday, October 17th, 7:00 a.m. in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. LifeGift invites you to spend a morning celebrating the gift of life as the organization honors organ, eye and tissue donors in 109 Texas counties in North, Southeast and West Texas. The 2nd Chance Run is a timed event; you can run or walk 1 mile or 3.1 miles (5k) at the Stockyards or participate virtually! For more information and to register, please click here. Take $5 off your registration fee using the code: FRIENDS5
All registered participants in the 2nd Chance Run will receive a custom event t-shirt, medal, race bib and a timing chip (both 5k and 1-mile participants), along with a race swag bag and entry to our race village. LifeGift will promote the event on social media, sharing photos and messages of support for donor families, transplant recipients and other members of our community. Additionally, the largest family and hospital teams will be awarded the Largest Team trophy!
Meet Avery Overn
At nearly three years old, Avery Overn already has experienced a remarkable medical journey, says her mother, Morgan Overn. “Avery is the most energetic, silly, resilient and loving girl. She’s been through so much.” In the spring of 2025, Avery began experiencing symptoms that led to her admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. “The day after Avery was first hospitalized was when transplant was first discussed,” Morgan says. Avery underwent surgery to try to remove a blood clot and hopefully prevent the need for a transplant. Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful, and her medical team told the family that a transplant was the only remaining option. After months of uncertainty and challenges, Avery received a liver and portal vein transplant on April 16, 2026.
Since her transplant, Avery’s life has transformed. “She’s a completely different child,” Morgan shares. “Avery’s love and enthusiasm for life are still the same, but now she actually has the energy to show it and enjoy it.” Physically, Avery has gained healthy weight, regained her color and grown stronger. She now has the energy to enjoy everyday toddler activities and is making progress toward developmental milestones she missed while she was sick. “There aren’t enough words to express our gratitude to her donor family,” Morgan says. Although the Overns have not yet connected with Avery’s donor family, they hope to one day have the opportunity to share their gratitude with them.
“The Fort Worth 2nd Chance Run has symbolized hope for Texans who are waiting for life-saving organ, eye and tissue transplants in Fort Worth,” says Kevin Myer, LifeGift president and CEO. “Each year, we’ve seen many new participants joining our 2nd Chance Run, demonstrating the community’s strong commitment and devotion to raise awareness of the need for organ and tissue donor registration.”
The Fort Worth 2nd Chance Run is being generously sponsored by Global Transplant Solutions, Million Air, Organ Recovery Systems, LifeNet Health, AIRSPACE, Batson-Cook Texas, LLC , Baylor Scott & White Health, BioCARE, Bridge to Life, CareDx, Cook Children’s, Medical City Fort Worth, Pediatrix Neonatology of Texas, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, SALLOP, Solvita, Andrews Myers and NORA.
Be sure to join us on our Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram pages as we honor our donors, recipients and their families online as well as educate on the importance of organ and tissue donor registration.
What: LifeGift’s 24th Annual Fort Worth 2nd Chance Run
Who: Transplant recipients and those waiting on the transplant list, donor family members, healthcare professionals, donation advocates and the entire community are invited to participate. Avery Overn’s family will be on-site for in-person interviews
When: Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.
Where: The Stockyards, 130 East Exchange Avenue, (Packers Avenue and 23rd Street – Lot 914), Fort Worth, TX 76164
Website: Fort Worth 2nd Chance Run
For more information and to register, please click here. For onsite media event support, please contact Dagmar Hohnstein at dclimo@lifegift.org or 713.505.6871.
There are more than 11,000 Texans in need of organ transplants. Register today to become an organ, eye or tissue donor by visiting DonateLifeTexas.org.
Shining a Light of Hope on Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation.
About LifeGift
LifeGift is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) health services organization. As the organ procurement organization (OPO) for North, Southeast and West Texas, we partner with more than 275 hospitals and 10 transplant centers across 109 counties to save and heal lives. LifeGift is a founding member of Donate Life Texas, the organization that manages the organ, eye and tissue donor registry. Please visit www.LifeGift.org.