It started with a very simple idea…
Sharing a meal together creates a connection and experience unlike any other, and if we could bring the organ donation and transplantation community together for a meal, we could create bonds that heal and last a lifetime.
Food creates an experience where we can share our love, sorrow, dreams, grief and hopes. Eating together is a time of laughter, tears and reflection, and it affords us the opportunity to share our stories, memories and journeys of donation and transplantation with one another.
That simple idea from donor parents Frank and Cyndi Grobmeier grew into a simple concept: Bring donor families, living donors and transplant recipients together, create a comfortable environment and feed them good food. Then, the conversations and connections will happen organically.
The Maddog Strong Foundation, which was created by the Grobmeier family after the loss of their 18 year old daughter and donor hero, Maddie, launched the first Lunch for Life event in 2023, and they plan to host several of these Lunch for Life events around the United States in the coming years.
The events are financially supported by the Maddog Strong Foundation but are hosted by local donor and recipient family nonprofits and foundations. These organizations put their own personal touches on each individual event, plan their food menu and invite donor families, living donors and recipient families.