What is Gift of Life?

The concept for the Gift of Life program began in 1974 when the Manhasset Rotary Club of Long Island brought five year old Grace Agwara on a 5000 mile journey to Roslyn, New York where she underwent a successful open heart surgical procedure and received the Gift of Life. This event developed in a world-wide movement involving both Rotarians and countless other community organizations focused on saving the lives of children afflicted with congenital heart defects and diseases. The Gift of Life Foundation of Rotary District 7490 (GOL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation created in 1986 by the Rotary clubs of Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties in New Jersey, USA. Since it’s inception, District 7490’s GOL has saved the lives of over 500 children. In addition to providing surgery for these children performed both domestically and abroad, GOL works in their home countries to educate the medical profession, provide medical equipment, and raise the standards of living thus decreasing the incidence of congenital heart defects.

95% of all children with congenital heart defects and diseases outside of North America cannot receive the lifesaving medical care they require. With the exception of the developed countries of Europe, there are not enough hospitals, doctors, technology, medicine, or equipment to save these children's lives. Here in the United States we are fortunate enough to have a surplus of such facilities, therefore, we have the opportunity to give the greatest gift of all, the Gift of Life.

Each year, our host families, doctors, nurses, coordinators, and other volunteers are touched by the children who's lives we save. Won't you join us? How to help.