Gift of Hope, Illinois Medical District Guest House sponsor lodging for transplant patients

ITASCA, Ill.—December 18, 2020 — A safe, welcoming and affordable place for transplant patients and their families to stay while receiving medical treatment away from home is critical, especially when faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased risk of infection that comes with travel. For this reason, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and IMD Guest House have partnered to provide temporary lodging for transplant patients and families while they receive medical treatment in Chicago.

As part of the partnership, Gift of Hope, a not-for-profit organization that serves organ and tissue donors and their families in Illinois and northwest Indiana, is sponsoring two apartments at IMD Guest House to support organ and tissue transplant patients receiving treatment at any Chicago area transplant center. Gift of Hope has sponsored an apartment at IMD Guest House since 2019, adding sponsorship for a second apartment in 2021 due to demand.

“When a patient receives care away from home, it’s important that they not only have a place to stay that’s safe, but one that is comfortable and fits their specific needs,” said Jerry Anderson, past president/CEO, Gift of Hope, and IMD Guest House board director. “This is an important partnership that provides a room for transplant patients and fulfills our shared commitment to supporting transplant patients and their families, helping to make the gift of organ and tissue donation possible.”

IMD Guest House provides safe, affordable accommodations in a caring environment for patients and their families who travel for transplants, heart surgery, cancer treatment and other medical care at Chicago area hospitals. The fully-furnished private guest apartments are offered at reduced rates and guests with limited resources can apply for financial assistance.

“We are so proud that Gift of Hope would choose to partner with IMD Guest House,” said Adam Helman, Executive Director of IMD Guest House. “The partnership helps us to serve transplant patients, and to ensure that life-saving care is accessible, regardless of their financial resources.”

Since the beginning of 2019, IMD Guest House has provided lodging for 168 transplant patients for a total of 3,059 overnight stays. In addition to the room accommodations, patients and their families are also treated to meals provided by community volunteers, activities and support from the IMD Guest House staff.

“IMD Guest House, Gift of Hope, and the transplant team at UI Health saved my life,” said Lana Schmidt, a kidney transplant recipient. “I had been on dialysis for years and my body was shutting down. Without the help of these three organizations, I would not have been able to receive the transplant that I so desperately needed.”

IMD Guest House is one of several community partners Gift of Hope sponsors to support transplant recipients and donor families and fulfill its mission to help save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation.

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is a not-for-profit organization (OPO) that coordinates organ and tissue donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana. We work with 180 hospitals serving 12 million people and 9 transplant programs in our donation service area. Register to become an organ and tissue donor at Gift of Hope or by texting HOPE to 51555.

IMD Guest House Foundation

IMD Guest House Foundation is a nonprofit that provides the comforts of home and the care of community to patients seeking treatment in Chicago, and their families. Ours is the only facility in the Chicago area that supports patients of any age, seeking any type of treatment.  For more information, please visit www.imdguesthouse.org