The Jason Ray Transplant Clinic

In April 2016, UNC Hospitals recognized and celebrated a beloved member of the UNC community by changing the name of its transplant clinic to UNC Hospitals Jason Ray Transplant Clinic in honor of the late Jason Ray.

Jason Ray, former UNC Tar Heels mascot, was the victim of an automobile/pedestrian accident on March 23, 2007. The accident occurred when Ray was attending the NCAA Basketball Regional Finals in New Jersey. He died three days later from his injuries.

Because Jason was an organ donor, 118 people received his organs and tissue after the accident. Jason’s donation of organs and tissues received worldwide attention. His story prompted 46,000 more Americans to sign up as organ donors, creating a future potential to save the lives of 165,000 people with end-stage organ disease.

The Jason Ray Foundation

His family founded the Jason Ray Foundation in his honor. The Jason Ray Foundation is dedicated to a mission of education, community service and raising awareness for organ donation. The foundation was established with the goal of raising $1 million and is a third of the way toward achieving its goal. This fund benefits patients in all phases of transplant, including kidney donors.