WORCESTER—This weekend, Polar Park transforms into more than just a baseball field and shines a stadium-sized light on a vital, life-saving topic. Nearly 1,000 participants will gather for the annual Blue & Green Walk/5K, hosted by New England Donor Services (NEDS), to honor organ donors and celebrate those who have received the gift of life through transplants.
The event, set for Sunday, Oct. 13, features a mix of solemn reflection and joyous celebration. Participants run or walk in memory of loved ones who donated organs, or in celebration of their own transplant anniversaries. Worcester Mayor Joe Petty is among those attending, along with Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Registrar Colleen Ogilvie. Both address the crowd during the morning’s ceremonies.
This year marks the second time the 5K has been held at Polar Park, home of the Worcester Red Sox/WooSox, further intertwining community and cause. The race winds participants through city streets, while the stadium itself serves as a hub for reflection and hope, with spaces such as the Memorial Butterfly Path and the Wall of Hope paying tribute to donors.
One team, “Team Leftie,” led by kidney transplant recipient Michael Malizia, has already raised more than $3,600 for NEDS. Malizia, who received a kidney in 2018, has participated in the 5K every year since, walking to celebrate his renewed life alongside others with similar stories of survival and generosity.
This 5K is part of a larger effort by NEDS to raise awareness about organ donation, a critical cause with tangible results. In 2023, NEDS facilitated a record number of organ transplants in New England, with 549 deceased donors contributing to more than 1,400 transplants. NEDS’ ongoing work places them among the top four organ procurement organizations in the U.S., and they’ve seen a 52% increase in organ donors since 2020.
For those attending, gates open at 8 a.m., and the race officially kicks off at 10 a.m., following a kids’ fun run and a welcome ceremony. Alongside the race, the day includes ballpark activities and opportunities for attendees to reflect on the significance of organ donation.
