Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network

Our first ever Gift of Hope Community Foundation 5K Run, Walk & Roll was a success! 🎉 The day was filled with community spirit, all coming together to show support for saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation. The event raised more than $100,000 for Gift of Hope programs including education, research and development and support resources for donor families. Thank you to our sponsors, community partners, donor families, ambassadors, volunteers, Gift of Hope staff and everyone who participated to show support. 🗓️ Ready for our 2nd Annual Gift of Hope Community Foundation 5K Run, Walk & Roll? Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025! We can't wait to see you there. To learn more about the Foundation visit giftofhope.org/give

October is National Liver Awareness Month! More than 9,000 adults and children in the US are waiting for a life-saving liver transplant—including 350 in Illinois and Indiana. You can help. Learn more about donation and register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at giftofhope.org #SayYestoDonation #DonateLife #GiftofHope

We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of the Gift of Hope Community Foundation’s Inaugural 5K Run, Walk & Roll! What a heartwarming day filled with inspiring stories and community spirit. Thank you to all of our event attendees, generous sponsors and Gift of Hope staff who helped make this event possible! Please join us in congratulating our award winners: ◼ Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, our Grand Marshal and recipient of our 2024 State Champion Award ◼ WGN-TV's Lourdes Duarte, our event Emcee and recipient of our 2024 Community Champion Award ◼ Program Manager of the ILSOS Organ Donor Registry Daniel Lietz, accepting the 2024 Jesse White Leadership Achievement Award on behalf of Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias And all the winners of the 2024 Life Changing Awards presented to individuals, families, or groups who help advance Gift of Hope’s mission to save and enhance lives in measurable ways: 💜 Kyle Zuleg Foundation 💜 Live LaMore Foundation 💜 Tony Capozziello/Tony’s Par-Tee 💜 Mason Wasz Foundation 💜 Tristen Scott Foundation We extend a special thank you to Illinois State Representative Nabeela Syed and President of Harper College Dr. Avis Proctor for joining us in celebration. Here’s to many more joyful celebrations ahead! Learn more about the Gift of Hope Community Foundation at giftofhope.org/give

Last week we hosted a #HispanicHeritageMonth Cultural Leader Panel for our staff moderated by Janet Dominguez, Gift of Hope Community Outreach Manager/Director of Illinois Transplant Fund. The panel engaged in dynamic conversation around Hispanic and Latino heritage and traditions. Thank you to Cesar Lostaunau, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Anywhere Real Estate, Inc., and Juan Rangel, Executive Director of The Urban Center Next Gen Metropolitan Leadership Institute for sharing their perspectives on Hispanic and Latino identity and experience in leading community initiatives. #GiftofHope #DonateLife

Congratulations to Gift of Hope Allocation Coordinators Norberto Perez and Jessica Ortiz, and Supervisor of Allocation Services Kate McGarry (not pictured) for receiving the Knocked It Out of The Park Awards this month for going above and beyond to demonstrate their commitment and passion towards Gift of Hope's mission to save lives. Thank you for all that you do! About the award: Throughout the year we celebrate Gift of Hope team members who let their talents shine—making significant contributions to the benefit of our organization, staff, partners and donor families. #GiftofHope #DonateLife #SayYestoDonation

In the United States, Latinos and Hispanics bear a disproportionate impact from health conditions that can lead to organ failure, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease. Currently, more than 23,000 Latino/Hispanic adults and children are on the national transplant waiting list, with 88% of them waiting for a life-saving kidney. You can help. 💜 Learn the facts about organ, eye and tissue donation and register your decision to be a life-giving donor at giftofhope.org #SayYestoDonation #HispanicHeritageMonth #DonateLife

We are grateful to everyone who stopped by our table at the Brookfield Zoo Hispanic Heritage Fest this weekend! A big thank you to our Community Outreach Specialist Luis Ortega and Gift of Hope Ambassadors Adrian Charniak and Lexty Rueda for engaging the community and providing education about organ, eye and tissue donation. Learn more about donation and how you can register as a life-giving donor at giftofhope.org #HispanicHeritageMonth #SayYestoDonation #DonateLife

It's #HispanicHeritageMonth! Join us in honoring the generosity of Hispanic and Latino organ and tissue donors and their families who gave the gift of life by saying “yes” to donation, as well as individuals who work every day to save lives in the field of donation and transplantation. Observed annually from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, whose ancestors hail from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The month shines a spotlight on the significant impact Hispanic individuals have made across a wide range of fields, including science, education, the arts, healthcare, and more. #SayYestoDonation #GiftofHope #DonateLife

On this episode of Let's Talk Hope, Emily Dillon, Manager of Donation and Family Advocates at Gift of Hope provides a rare glimpse into the emotional and logistical intricacies of organ donation, the importance of collaboration with hospital care teams and the deep cultural sensitivities required to support families from all walks of life. Whether you're familiar with the topic or new to it, this conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of the impact organ donation can have on both donor families and transplant recipients. Listen here or wherever you listen to podcasts: bit.ly/3yQ6EUb #LetsTalkHope #SayYestoDonation

We’re excited to feature Harry Wilkins, MD, President and CEO of Gift of Hope, as he prepares for the Gift of Hope Community Foundation 5K Run, Walk & Roll! “As the leader of this organization it is an honor and a privilege to work every day to fulfill our mission of saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation. The Gift of Hope Community Foundations inaugural 5K Run, Walk & Roll is a wonderful opportunity to come together to honor those donor heroes and their families who selflessly chose to give life by becoming an organ donor as well as recognize those who received a second chance at life. I created the team "Inspired Leaders for Hope” in honor of Alexa Kersting, a 15-year-old girl who tragically lost her life 20 years ago while waiting for a lung transplant. When I heard Alexa’s story at a national meeting two decades ago from her mother Monica, it left a lasting impression on me and inspired me to work every day to end the waitlist for organs so that no other family would suffer the pain of losing a loved one while waiting for a life-saving organ. I have invited leaders from around the country to join me in honoring Alexa as she represents to me – and others – the more than 100,000 individuals currently on the transplant waitlist. Walking, running, and raising awareness for the need for registered organ donors is the most fitting way I can think of to accomplish this goal." – Harry Wilkins, MD Join us in supporting this life-saving cause by registering here: bit.ly/3VTSXuO