Photographed here flashing a peace sign from a location in downtown Chicago overlooking the Chicago River on Saint Patrick’s day 2018, Mia Lobo often played the mediator of the family, according to her father Dominic Lobo. Giving Spirit of 5-Year-Old Organ Donor Mia Lobo Lives On Saying yes to organ and tissue donation can [...]
By the age of five, Maddox was a dedicated, talented and serious athlete who loved playing sports of all kinds with kids his age and older. He wasn’t planned. He was a gift, an angel, in the true sense of the word,” read Ralph LoPriore, the father of 8-year-old organ and tissue donor Maddox LoPriore.
Central Illinois Farmer sets off lifesaving domino effect Dale Lessen had two major loves in his life — his family and farming. The Lincoln, Ill. resident began working as a farmer in 1984 with his father Bill Lessen and spent 35 years of his life cultivating corn and soybean fields throughout Logan County. On April 17, [...]
Beginning January 1, 2018, 16- and 17-year-olds in Illinois will able to join the organ donor registry thanks to the “Drive Fore Life” bill, which was signed into law on Tuesday, August 8. Supported by the Secretary of State, a coalition of state legislators and Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network and Mid-America Transplant, [...]
New Connections Spotlights Donation Story Series The latest Connections showcases the donation story series we ran on our social media channels during National Donate Life Month in April and offers a visual recap on the many NDLM activities we conducted during the month to help raise awareness of Gift of Hope and donation and to [...]
Changing Tragedy into Triumph: Aftercare Specialist Renata Krzyston, Aftercare Specialist “Grief and sadness are part of the role, but that’s OK because we get to give back to our families. We get to give them support, resources and information, and we get to cultivate these beautiful relationships. My colleagues and I can stand [...]
Honoring the Donation Decision: Tissue Recovery Supervisor Roy Mayfield, Senior Supervisor of Facilities and Tissue Recovery “I believe I am part of a big team that makes miracles happen every day. I feel put in this place for a reason and, with our team, I’ve been able to help others in unique and incredible [...]
Honoring the Donation Decision: Allocation and Perfusion Coordinator Jessina Wiley, Allocation and Perfusion Coordinator “The donation process involves many professionals who are all passionate about helping others. I get to be part of that. This miraculous, elaborate, multi-step collaboration and process helps get people off the waiting list and gives them a second chance [...]
Honoring the Donation Decision: Organ Recovery Coordinator Cara Moulesong, Organ Recovery Coordinator “One thing I make sure donor families know is that we do genuinely care about them — we want their story to end well. And we can offer something that will help them heal: Through their grief, there’s something to look forward [...]
Saying 'Yes' to Donation: Donation Specialist Donation Specialist Supervisor, Damon Marks “Many times families struggle with the decision to donate, but they say ‘yes,’ even if in that moment they don’t think it’s a good thing. Six months or two years down the line they are able to look back and know that somewhere [...]
