Donor Memorial Quilt Project

Donor Memorial Quilt Project

The Gift of Hope Donor Quilt honors the legacies of the men, women and children who have given the gift of hope through donation. Quilt panels travel throughout Illinois and northwest Indiana for display at public events, memorials and meetings to memorialize through words and pictures each life that has given the gift of hope to others through donation.

We invite every donor family to create a memorial square in honor of their loved one.

Create your memorial square

Click here for a Memorial Square template with instructions and helpful hints to help you create a quilt square to honor your loved one.

Share your story

We invite you to share the story of your loved one, your quilt square design and what participating in the quilt project means to you. Please keep your story to no more than 100 words, and mail to us with your Memorial Square and completed authorization form (see below).

Provide your authorization

Please download, print and complete the authorization form that allows us to 1) display the square you submit as part of our Gift of Hope Donor Quilt and 2) share your name, story or other information you wish to provide.

Send your Memorial Square

We strongly encourage sending your Memorial Square via an insured carrier or registered mail.

  • Take a picture of your square so you will always remember your design.
  • Enclose your square in a zip-lock plastic bag to ensure that it arrives clean and safe.
  • Write your name, address and phone number on a separate piece of paper. 
  • Mail it along with your memorial square, your signed authorization form and your story (if you chose to write a story) to:

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
Attn: Donor Family Services, Quilt Project
425 Spring Lake Drive
Itasca, IL 60143-2076

What happens next? 

We will email you to confirm we have received your memorial square. 

The length of time it will take for us to incorporate your square into a quilt depends on whether we have received the 20 squares from families required to create a quilt.  For example, in the past, it took three years before we received enough squares to create one quilt. In the last year, however, we have created two quilts based on the number of families who submit memorial squares.  

We will update you on the status of your square, or please feel free to contact us.

We are here for you.

Our Donor Family Services Team is here for you. Reach out to us any time at donorfamilies@giftofhope.org or 877-577-3747. 

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