Faces of Life

September 2023:

Steve Binder could not have imagined the unbelievable twists and turns that led him to discover his true calling and arrive at the place of joy he feels today.

At 7 months old, he was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. Since then, he’s endured one medical crisis after another. A stroke, an aneurism, cancer and liver and kidney failure are just a few of the setbacks he’s had to overcome.

“Donation has three times given me the Gift of Life,” said Steve, who’s had a liver and three lifesaving kidney transplants. “It’s also given me a calling, a purpose that would be missing in my life without it.”

Since 2008, Steve has edited the Faces of Life video featured at LifeQuest’s Tribute to Life honoring organ, eye and tissue donors.  The award-winning producer said it’s a project that’s dear to his heart.

“I thank LifeQuest for asking me to work with them on this very special video,” he said. “I am honored that I’m given the opportunity to give back to donor families in a way that I am able.”

On Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, LifeQuest will host the 22nd Annual Tribute the Life at 7 p.m. EST at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Guests may attend the event in person or virtually through our live stream on YouTube.

Tribute to Life started as a small gathering in 2001. It earned a 2002 Judges’ Award from the Jacksonville Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association in the Public Relations Programs category for Special Events for what was then called the National Donor Sabbath Candlelight Ceremony.

This year’s event offers inspiring presentations by LifeQuest donor families and grateful recipients. It will include live interviews and a musical performance. There will be a candle lighting and new videos not seen before.

Faces of Life will close out the ceremony. The simple, solemn nature of the video is powerful. There are no words, just music. The faces say everything that needs to be said.

“I have the deepest dedication to the donor families that provide their loved one’s photo for the video,” Steve said.  “I admire and honor their courage, and I hope that my respect and gratitude show in the video.”

Steve said he feels a sense of responsibility and closeness to each donor featured in the video.  Without the gift of donation, he just as easily could have been among them.

Steve had his life mapped out when he graduated college and left his home state of Iowa in 1985 to pursue a broadcast production career in Florida. Before long, the only thing he had control of was his positive attitude. For that, he credits growing up in a loving family and his wife, Kristin. She served as his caregiver long before they married in 2015. Shortly after they met, Kristin offered to drive Steve to his dialysis treatments, and the rest is history.

“It’s true, we fell in love at dialysis,” Steve said. “She would come early to pick me up, and we’d sit and chat and laugh while I finished my last hour of treatment.  She often says she’s the world’s worst caregiver. I can assure you, she is not.”

Steve wrote and directed commercials for HBO, ESPN, Disney World and Daytona International Speedway. He produced television commercials for Comcast in Sarasota before moving to his current hometown of Jacksonville. He started his own video production company in 2007 after losing his job at Comcast due to illness. In 2011, a stroke left him unable to carry heavy camera equipment, walk unassisted or use his left hand. He is also blind in his right eye due to shingles.

Refusing to let his limited mobility get in the way, Steve shifted his focus to designing light-hearted graphic designs meant to start donation conversations. Today, he and Kristin own KNS Transplant Gear selling donation apparel on Amazon and Zazzle.

“The humorous designs get attention and make it easier for recipients to tell their transplant stories to friends, family and strangers,” Steve said.

Prior to becoming disabled, Steve won four medals competing in the U.S. Transplant Games, now called the Transplant Games of America. He’s been a member and served in leadership roles for donation committees and foundations. He works with support groups and advocates for donation. He was awarded the NKF Volunteer Award in 2000, and the Patient Service Award in 2005.

Both personally and professionally, organ donation has become Steve’s life.

“It’s given me the opportunity to meet some truly inspiring people and become lifelong friends with many who share the transplant experience,” he said.

By Kim Gilmore, LifeQuest Sr. Public Education Coordinator