Stars Support Taylor’s Gift

This Friday, the Stars are proud to once again participate in a night to raise awareness for organ donation through the Taylor’s Gift Foundation - a local group whose mission is dedicated to increasing organ donation through youth education. The foundation was created by Todd and Tara Storch, parents of three, who saw first-hand how important and life-changing organ donation can be. Their daughter, Taylor Storch, was 13 when she passed away in a ski accident in Colorado. Her parents quickly made the decision to have her organs donated to those in need, and in doing so, Taylor Storch helped to save five lives.

At a time that most would spend grieving, pondering,  "why me?", Taylor's parents knew that they had to do something positive to get the word out about the importance of organ donation. Thus, the Taylor's Gift Foundation was born- with a purpose to increase organ donation, re-gift life, renew health, and restore families.

"My grandfather is one of my heroes- he always said to me- it's not what happens to me that matters- it's how you react to it that does. He passed away, and I taught my kids that. As a husband and father, those words are something that I have thought back to so many times," said Todd Storch, co- founder of Taylor's Gift. " It was very obvious that I had a choice--- are you going to do what Todd Storch wants to do? Or what God wants you to do?" He chose the latter.

Longtime voice of the Dallas Stars Ralph Strangis knows Todd Storch personally and is very involved with the mission of Taylor's Gift.

"It's personally important to me because Todd is a friend, and we used to be neighbors, Taylor was about my daughter's age when she died- a lot of things hit home. I like a cause you don't have to ask people for money for, it's an easy thing anybody can do and it doesn't take much time. You can register to be an organ donor in less than 5 minutes-it's really a numbers game- the more people who become donors, the more lives will be saved."

At Friday’s home game vs. Chicago, the Dallas Stars will be supporting Taylor's Gift.

Fans will be able to donate to the cause or sign up to be an organ donor at the Dallas Stars Foundation table (located at section 101/102 on the Plaza Concourse), or receive blue Taylor's Gift wristbands at the merchandise stores for a small donation. The Storch family will be interviewed by Ralph Strangis during the first intermission. The Dallas Stars players will show their support by using sticks wrapped with blue tape during warm-ups; those sticks will be auctioned off at the Foundation table and online. Stars coaches and broadcasters will be wearing blue Taylor's Gift ties.

For more information about Taylor’s Gift, please visit:  Taylorsgift.org