WEST ISLIP — Sean’s Gift is a program created to provide comfort to families of organ donors. The program is named after 24-year-old Sean Lapersonerie, an Iraq War veteran who died four days after being hit by a car on New Year’s Eve 2011. Sean's mother Marie followed through with his wishes to become an organ donor. A friend gave Marie a handmade blanket that she put on her son until he went into surgery to have his organs removed.

The blanket inspired Marie to start a non-profit organization that gives families of organ donors a hand-knit blanket with a supportive message. The Good Samaritan Hospital is the only hospital on Long Island offering the blankets.