During the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at World Wide Technology Raceway on September 6, Joey Gase promotes organ donation through a moving tribute designed to raise awareness and offer hope to those waiting for life-saving transplants. By transforming his race car into a mobile message of generosity, Gase draws attention to the urgent needs of the transplant community and honors the legacy of local donor heroes.
Personal Motivation Behind Gase’s Campaign
Joey Gase’s dedication to organ donation advocacy stems from his own family’s profound loss and their decision to give back. After his mother passed away suddenly, Gase and his family chose to donate her organs, eyes, and tissues, resulting in a life-changing impact for dozens of recipients.
“Organ donation is something that is very personal to me and my family. After my mom died of a sudden brain aneurysm, we knew if my mom could no longer continue her life she would want to do whatever she could to help others continue theirs. We chose to donate her organs, eyes and tissues, which ultimately helped save and improve the lives of 66 people,”
—Joey Gase, NASCAR Driver
“Since then, I’ve made it my mission to share the importance of donation with the racing community and honor those affected by it.”
—Joey Gase, NASCAR Driver
Mid-America Transplant Backs Awareness Effort
To help spread his message, Gase is joined by Mid-America Transplant, an organization serving eastern and southern Missouri, southwestern Illinois, and parts of Arkansas, facilitating life-saving donations across the region. The collaboration amplifies Gase’s voice, further educating the public about the life-altering impact of being a registered donor.
“Joey has become an important advocate for donation, and we appreciate how he is using his platform to educate others about organ and tissue donation,”
—Kevin Lee, President and CEO at Mid-America Transplant
“There are more than 100,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, including 1,404 here in the St. Louis region, and every person who joins the donor registry brings them hope that they will one day get their second chance at life.”
—Kevin Lee, President and CEO at Mid-America Transplant
Honoring Local Donor Heroes at the Race
Gase’s race car, wrapped in blue and green—the symbolic colors for organ and tissue donation—serves as both tribute and call to action. The car is emblazoned with handprints containing heartfelt messages from donor families and displays images of local teens Isaac Lashley and Chevy Gall, who both became organ donors after losing their lives in separate accidents within the past year.
Isaac Lashley, a 16-year-old cadet with the Washington Volunteer Fire Department, died following a vehicle accident in October 2024, while his close friend Chevy Gall, also 16 and a volunteer firefighter, was killed in a crash responding to an emergency in April. Their stories are highlighted as examples of youth making a profound impact even in tragedy.
“Chevy loved working on cars and was studying auto collision repair at Four Rivers Career Center while apprenticing with Auto Body Brothers,”
—Sarah Gall, Mother of Chevy Gall
“It’s really meaningful to honor him and Isaac on the racetrack, and we hope their stories inspire others to make the selfless decision and say yes to organ donation.”
—Sarah Gall, Mother of Chevy Gall
“Isaac had the heart of a servant, and served his community through the Washington Volunteer Fire and volunteering through the Washington High NJROTC program,”
—Catie Lashley, Mother of Isaac Lashley
Encouraging Action for Lifesaving Impact
The ongoing campaign urges NASCAR fans and the broader public to register as organ donors, underscoring that the process to sign up can be completed in just two minutes if people visit SayYesGiveLife.org. The sincere display of donor family messages and the stories of Isaac and Chevy personalize the cause, seeking to inspire support for the thousands on the transplant waiting list—over 100,000 people nationwide, including many in the St. Louis region.
By dedicating his car and platform to this cause, Joey Gase demonstrates the potential of sports figures to bring vital social issues into the spotlight, encouraging new supporters and offering recognition to those who have given the gift of life. As the racing community rallies behind Gase and Mid-America Transplant, increased awareness and compassion for donor families and recipients could lead to more registrations and, ultimately, more lives saved.
