West Hartford’s Evan Dolecki will lead a diverse New England Donor Services team in the Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod, raising awareness and funds for organ and tissue donation.

By Mia Jaworski

When the Falmouth Road Race kicks off Sunday, Aug. 17, West Hartford’s Evan Dolecki will be at the starting line, leading one of the largest New England Donor Services (NEDS) charity teams yet to raise money and awareness for organ and tissue donation.

Falmouth Road Race Team NEDS. Courtesy image.

Dolecki, an events and projects specialist for NEDS, is serving as captain for the 33 in-person runners and one virtual participant – the largest team since the organization began participating in 2012 through the race’s Numbers for Nonprofits program.

A seasoned runner, Dolecki has completed the Boston Marathon twice and regularly takes part in local and regional races. He combines his love of running with charitable causes, viewing the race as an opportunity to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation and to inspire others to give back.

Together, the 2025 NEDS team has already raised more than $38,500 toward a $50,000 goal, with fundraising open until Sept. 30.

NEDS Falmouth Road Race Shirts 2025. Courtesy image.

First run in 1973, the Falmouth Road Race has become a summer tradition on Cape Cod, drawing Olympians, elite athletes and recreational runners to its scenic 7-mile course from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights. An At-Home Edition allows participants to complete the distance in their own communities over seven days.

Falmouth Road Race course map. Courtesy image.

Proceeds from the NEDS team support public education and outreach on organ and tissue donation, including registration campaigns, volunteer training and community events. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and heal more than 75 others through tissue donation, according to NEDS.

Founded in 1968 as the New England Organ Bank by Nobel Laureate Dr. Joseph Murray, NEDS coordinates organ and tissue donation across New England and Bermuda, working with nearly 200 hospitals and screening about 50,000 potential donor referrals each year.

New England Donor Services. Courtesy image.

This year’s team includes staff, donor family members, transplant recipients, health care workers and advocates.

“We have a great mixture of backgrounds as well as a lot of returning and first-time team members,” Dolecki said.

At the race expo, NEDS will host a booth to answer questions and dispel myths about donation. “Even though there’s going to be thousands of runners, I hope our small but mighty team can get more eyes on organ donation,” Dolecki said.

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