Chris Gulfman was brash, with a very frank New York manner. He was driven, and passionate about his work as an upstate news photographer. At 35-years-old Gulfman was a loving husband, a generous friend, often the life of the party.
“He was always prepared for everything," said friend Brad Willis, “Chris had signed up to be an organ donor when he got his driver's license like anybody can and his wife was the one who made the decision that he would give his organs.”
When Chris died suddenly from an undiagnosed brain tumor, his organs survived, and so did the 7 people who received life-saving organ transplants, like Caroline Eschenberg.
"Somebody decided to donate and they didn't know me from Adam,” said Eschenberg, “they didn't know me at all. It's humbling, it's awe inspiring it the most selfless act that anybody can do and it saves lives, it saved my life."
Caroline fought diabetes since she was 14, was on dialysis and needed a new kidney and pancreas to survive.
“I wouldn't be sitting her if it weren't for them, my life, it would be gone, it's an incredible gift.”
Now, because of her donor, she and her dog named "second chance" are still together and her donor is still with us, just like Gulfman.
Hope Rocks started with a group of people who wanted to celebrate the life of a friend who died way too young. That friend would have turned 40 on Friday, June 17, 2011. Chris Gulfman died five years ago from an undiagnosed brain tumor, and at that time, his family made the decision to donate his organs. Seven people are living a better life today because of Chris. His friends decided to honor Chris’ life by helping to save others. That’s why they’re organizing Hope Rocks to benefit Donate Life South Carolina.