Illinois High School Association, Donate Life Illinois launch Say Yes!
The Illinois High School Association/Donate Life Illinois Campaign
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has teamed up with Donate Life Illinois – a coalition of Illinois organ, tissue and eye donation and transplantation organizations – to encourage high school students to get educated about donation and “Say Yes” to joining the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry whether online or upon receiving their driver’s license at an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Service Facility.
The “Say Yes” campaign launching on National Donor Day, February 14, marks the sixth annual partnership to raise awareness, encourage donor registration and celebrate Illinois student-athletes, their families and communities for saying “yes” to organ, tissue and eye donation.
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is a proud partner with Donate Life Illinois, working with the Illinois High School Association to increase donor registrations and offer hope for the thousands in need of transplants. Our goal is to empower young people and their families with the information they need to ‘say yes’ to joining the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry.
Celebrate their lives. Share their stories.
Cord Pearce
Morton High School Wrestler
Izaiah Francheschi
Maine West High School Basketball
Livi Sonetz
Normal Community West High School Softball
Jermaine Cullum
Christ the King Jesuit College Prep High School Basketball
Maddie Finch
New Berlin High School
Cheerleading
Devereaux “2” Hubbard
Richwoods High School Football (Peoria) 2011 5A IHSA State Runner-Up
Don August
Oak Park & River Forest H.S. and U of I coach
Volleyball
Brody Wilson
Williamsville High School
Soccer and Drama
Rachel Dean
Normal West High School
Teacher and Swim Coach
In Illinois, the “Drive for Life” Act became effective January 1, 2018, amending the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to register their decision to be donors in Illinois’ Organ/Tissue Donor Registry.
It is important for 16- and 17-year-olds to discuss their decision with family members, who must provide consent for donation at the time of passing. Registering as a donor becomes legal consent at age 18. Family members remain involved with the donation process at the time of a registered donor’s death, working closely with Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, Mid America Transplant Services or Eversight as the organ, tissue and eye donation agencies serving Illinois.
