Category: Press Release
La Villita se ilumina en púrpura para el Mes Nacional de Donar Vida
CHICAGO, Ill. – Abril es el Mes Nacional de Donar Vida (NDLM por sus siglas en inglés), un tiempo designado para honrar a los donantes de órganos y tejidos y celebrar las vidas salvadas con el regalo de la donación. Como parte de las actividades de concientización durante todo el mes, Gift of Hope, Red de Donantes de Órganos y Tejidos, está invitando a organizaciones comunitarias e individuos a que hagan brillar luces de color púrpura en sus hogares y negocios para estimular la inscripción de donantes y honrar a las personas que han salvado vidas por medio del regalo de la donación.
En una impresionante manifestación de apoyo, la Cámara de Comercio de La Villita (LVCC por sus siglas en inglés) iluminó en púrpura el arco en nombre de la donación de órganos y tejidos. El arco, un hito cultural construido en 1990, da la bienvenida a los residentes y visitantes en este vecindario que es predominantemente México-Americano y de inmigrantes.
“El arco de La Villita es la puerta de entrada que da la bienvenida a todos a nuestra comunidad, y el iluminarlo en púrpura durante el Mes Nacional de Donar la Vida trae concientización sobre la necesidad de donar órganos y tejidos” dijo Manny Martinez, presidente de la Cámara de Comercio de La Villita. “Para nosotros, esta alianza con Gift of Hope es significativa porque creemos que apoyar la donación de órganos y tejidos es una manera de demostrar nuestro amor por las otras personas”.
Adicionalmente, la Cámara llevará a cabo una campaña de registro de donantes en línea de un mes de duración, para incrementar las inscripciones de la comunidad hispana. Las personas que quieran participar en la campaña en línea de registro de donantes organizada por LVCC, pueden registrarse en RegisterMe.org/LVCC.
Más de 800 hispanos en Illinois están esperando por un trasplante de órganos que les salve la vida. Desafortunadamente, los mitos y las ideas erróneas acerca de la donación siguen siendo las principales barreras que impiden que algunos hispanos se unan al registro de donantes.
“En Gift of Hope, honramos y celebramos la vida y el legado de los donantes de órganos y tejidos durante todo el año” dijo el Dr. Harry Wilkins, presidente de Gift of Hope. “El Mes Nacional de Donar Vida nos ayuda a enfocar nuestra atención en la necesidad crítica de donantes registrados y en la importancia de compartir esa decisión con sus familias y seres queridos. Iluminar en púrpura es una gran manera de reunir a la comunidad durante este tiempo especial para aumentar entre todos la concientización y ayudar a salvar vidas”.
Gift of Hope invita a todos los miembros de la comunidad a participar en las celebraciones del Mes Nacional de Donar Vida. Por favor, únasenos en Facebook, Twitter, e Instagram para honrar a los donantes, sus familias y cuidadores, los beneficiarios, los donantes inscritos, los trabajadores de la salud y todos los que esperan por una segunda oportunidad de vida. Para más información acerca de la donación de órganos y tejidos visite GiftofHope.org.
Sobre la Cámara de Comercio de La Villita
Desde 1989, la Cámara de Comercio de La Villita ha representado los intereses de los negocios locales y la todavía más numerosa comunidad de negocios bilingües de Chicago. Su misión es apoyar, promover y realzar el crecimiento y el éxito de los negocios locales, y aprovechar los recursos y contribuciones, así como la identidad cultural única de la comunidad mexicana para generar nuevas oportunidades de negocios. Sus residentes y propietarios de negocios son reconocidos por su espíritu emprendedor, ética de trabajo y compromiso con la familia y la comunidad.
Sobre Gift of Hope
Gift of Hope, Red de Donantes de Órganos y Tejidos, es una organización sin fines de lucro, dedicada a procurar órganos, que coordina donaciones de órganos y tejidos y provee educación pública sobre donaciones en Illinois y el noroeste de Indiana. Como una de las 58 organizaciones de su tipo que integran el sistema de donaciones de la nación, trabajamos con 180 hospitales y servimos a 12 millones de personas en nuestra área de servicio. Desde 1986, hemos salvado con nuestro esfuerzo las vidas de más de 23,000 beneficiarios de órganos trasplantados, y salvado y mejorado las vidas de cientos de miles que recibieron trasplantes de tejidos.
(Para imágenes/fotos, favor de contactar a Gift of Hope)
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Little Village “Lights it up Purple” for National Donate Life Month
CHICAGO, Ill. – April is National Donate Life Month (NDLM), a time designated to honor organ and tissue donors and celebrate the lives saved through the gift of donation. As part of the month-long awareness activities, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is encouraging community organizations and individuals to shine purple lights at their homes and businesses to encourage donor registration and the people who saved lives through the gift of donation.
In an impressive show of support, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce (LVCC) lit up the arch purple for organ and tissue donation. The arch, a cultural landmark built in 1990, welcomes residents and visitors to the predominantly Mexican American and immigrant neighborhood.
“The Little Village arch is the gateway that welcomes everyone into our community and lighting it purple during National Donate Life Month brings awareness to the need for organ and tissue donation,” said Manny Martinez, President, Little Village Chamber of Commerce. “This partnership with Gift of Hope is meaningful to us because we believe that supporting organ and tissue donation is a way for us to show our love for others.”
Additionally, the chamber will hold a month-long online donor registration drive to help increase registration in the Hispanic community. People who would like to participate in the LVCC online registration drive can register at RegisterMe.org/LVCC.
More than 800 Hispanics in Illinois are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Unfortunately, myths and misconceptions regarding donation continue to be major barriers preventing some Hispanics from becoming registered donors.
“At Gift of Hope, we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of organ and tissue donors all year long,” said Dr. Harry Wilkins, President/CEO at Gift of Hope. “National Donate Life Month helps us focus attention on the critical need for registered donors and on the importance of sharing your decision to donate with your families and loved ones. Light it up Purple is a great way to bring the community together during this special time to collectively raise awareness and help save lives.”
Gift of Hope encourages everyone in the community to participate in National Donate Life Month celebrations. Please join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as we honor donors, donor families and caregivers, recipients, registered donors, clinical teams, and those waiting for a second chance at life. For more information about organ and tissue donation visit GiftofHope.org.
About the Little Village Chamber of Commerce
Since 1989, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce has represented the interests of local businesses and the larger bilingual business community of Chicago. Its mission is to support, promote and enhance the growth and success of local businesses – and to leverage the community’s assets, contributions, and unique Mexican identity cultural identity to generate new business opportunities. Its residents and business owners are recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit, strong work ethic and commitment to family and community.
About Gift of Hope
Gift of Hope is the not-for-profit organ procurement organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana. As one of 58 OPOs that make up the nation’s donation system, we work with 180 hospitals and serve 12 million people in our donation service area. Since 1986, our work has saved the lives of more than 23,000 organ transplant recipients and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of tissue transplant recipients.
(Please contact Gift of Hope for images)
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Gift of Hope honors organ, tissue donors during National Donate Life Month
ITASCA, Ill. – April is National Donate Life Month (NDLM), a time designated to honor organ and tissue donors and celebrate the lives saved through the gift of donation. Throughout the month, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network will work with its donation partners and advocates in Illinois and Northwest Indiana to focus attention on the lifesaving and healing benefits of organ and tissue donation and the importance of registering as a donor.
There are currently 108,000 people in the United States waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. While 95% of people support donation, only 58% are registered donors. One donor can save and enhance the lives of eight people through organ donation and more than 25 people through the gift of tissue.
To prioritize the safety of the community in light of ongoing risks and restrictions associated with COVID-19, Gift of Hope has developed an online approach to community and partner outreach for all National Donate Life Month activities. This year’s digital campaign highlights the good that can come from the loss of a loved one through the stories of three donors: Nikki Smith, Jaime Acevedo-Lule and Andrew Marton, and encourages partner and community participation to help increase donor registration.
“At Gift of Hope, we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of organ and tissue donors all year long,” said Dr. Harry Wilkins, President/CEO at Gift of Hope. “National Donate Life Month helps us focus attention on the critical need for registered donors and on the importance of sharing your decision to donate with your families and loved ones. This special time brings the community together to collectively help save lives.”
The donation community and its supporters are also planning to “Light it up Purple” for organ and tissue donation. As part of the month-long awareness activities, Gift of Hope is encouraging community organizations and individuals to shine purple lights at their homes and businesses to encourage donor registration and honor the people who saved lives through the gift of donation. In an impressive show of support, the city of Peoria is kicking off its NDLM celebration by lighting up Murray Baker bridge purple April 1-4.
In addition, Gift of Hope is partnering with Edward-Elmhurst, UChicago Medicine Ingalls, Franciscan Health, Methodist Health System, Community Health and Morgan County Coroner Marcy Patterson to host online donor registration drives. Each partner has set a goal for the number of people who register through a variety of digital communications and social media campaigns.
Gift of Hope encourages everyone in the community to participate in National Donate Life Month celebrations. Please join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as we honor donors, donor families and caregivers, recipients, registered donors, clinical teams, and those waiting for a second chance at life. To register as an organ and tissue donor and for more information about donation, visit GiftofHope.org.
About Gift of Hope
Gift of Hope is the not-for-profit organ procurement organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana. As one of 58 OPOs that make up the nation’s donation system, we work with 180 hospitals and serve 12 million people in our donation service area. Since 1986, our work has saved the lives of more than 23,000 organ transplant recipients and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of tissue transplant recipients.
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Gift of Hope joins SHIELD Illinois to expand statewide COVID-19 testing
ITASCA, Ill. – Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network today announced its partnership with SHIELD Illinois to serve as one of seven labs across the state enabling broader distribution of the University of Illinois’ saliva-based COVID-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. Government and educational institutions who have contracted with SHIELD now have access to PCR testing through the seven labs, which will increase the state’s testing capacity by 50 percent.
Gift of Hope is a nonprofit organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana. The decision to expand its laboratory services to include COVID-19 testing for residents is an extension of its mission to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation. Samples submitted by schools, colleges and universities, companies and government organizations are now being tested at the Gift of Hope Itasca facility.
“We’re excited to diversify the way we support our communities by being part of SHIELD’s statewide network to offer this critical healthcare service to residents,” said Dr. Harry Wilkins, Gift of Hope’s President/CEO. “Our lab has been serving our transplant partners, donors and their families for more than 30 years. Offering this additional testing service aligns perfectly with our mission and values.”
The SHIELD Illinois initiative also is helping generate new job opportunities. Gift of Hope created six positions to support and focus exclusively on COVID-19 saliva testing.
“Our new staff have become part of a highly diverse lab team at Gift of Hope,” said Dr. Sam Ho, Director of Gift of Hope’s Histocompatibility, and Infectious Disease Testing Laboratory. “We are honored to have added the ability to provide high-volume COVID-19 saliva test as part of our services.”
Since 1987, Gift of Hope’s laboratory has performed centralized donor-related testing, including infectious disease screening, histocompatibility testing and cross-matching to determine immunological compatibility in matching eligible organ and tissue donors with transplant recipients. In July 2020, Gift of Hope began COVID-19 testing on potential donors to ensure the safety of transplanted organs and tissue for recipients.
SHIELD Illinois developed its lab network to serve the state by identifying partner labs near Illinois’ population centers and minimizing the time needed to transport samples. The U of I System has invested more than $20 million to develop its innovative saliva-based test and launch the lab network, and Governor J.B. Pritzker authorized the use of $20 million in CARES Act funding to provide 1 million tests for the state’s public universities and community colleges. SHIELD Illinois is operating on a cost-recovery basis to realize the university’s land-grant mission to benefit all citizens of the state. For more information on the SHIELD Illinois statewide lab network, contact shieldillinois@uillinois.edu
About Gift of Hope
Gift of Hope is the not-for-profit organ procurement organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana. As one of 58 OPOs that make up the nation’s donation system, we work with 180 hospitals and serve 12 million people in our donation service area. Since 1986, our work has saved the lives of more than 23,000 organ transplant recipients and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of tissue transplant recipients.
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Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, IMD Guest House Provide Transplant Patients a ‘Home Away from Home’
Partnership provides transplant patients and their families a safe and affordable room while receiving treatment in Chicago
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
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Announces New Chief Executive Officer
New leader brings experience as trauma surgeon to organ and tissue procurement organization
ITASCA, Ill.—August 19, 2020 — The Board of Directors of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, a not-for-profit organization that serves organ and tissue donors and their families, is pleased to announce that it has selected Harry Wilkins, M.D. to be the next president and chief executive officer.
The first African American CEO for Gift of Hope, Dr. Wilkins begins his new role Oct. 19, succeeding Kevin Cmunt, who has led the organization for the past eight years.
“We are honored Dr. Wilkins has chosen to bring his wealth of experience to Gift of Hope,” said Anne Gulotta, chairperson of the Gift of Hope Board of Directors. “It is especially fitting that we are announcing his upcoming leadership during National Minority Donor Awareness Month. Ethnic minorities make up nearly 60% of people waiting for lifesaving organs, but only a third of registered donors. Dr. Wilkins is committed to helping Gift of Hope bridge the trust gap between minority communities and the healthcare system.”
Dr. Wilkins was a trauma surgeon for 36 years, most recently at Blessing Hospital, Quincy, Ill., where he worked with Gift of Hope staff to support organ donor families. He spent six years as the Medical Director for Gift of Hope’s sister organization in Kansas City and seven years as a consultant to organ procurement organizations across the country, teaching physician communication skills. He recently served as medical advisor for the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO).
“I am motivated by a belief my mother instilled in me as a child, that no matter how little someone has, they always have something to give,” said Dr. Wilkins. “This credo has driven me throughout my life, including my work with organ and tissue donation.”
A native Chicagoan, Dr. Wilkins completed his undergraduate studies and earned his medical degree at Northwestern University. He holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Healthcare Management from Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
“Harry is the perfect person to continue the growth we have experienced at Gift of Hope,” said Juan Carlos Caicedo., MD, board member of Gift of Hope and director of the Hispanic Transplant Program and Liver Transplant Program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “His knowledge of critical care and ability to communicate with our hospital partners, his deep connection to our community including minorities, his passion for organ and tissue donation and especially his compassion for our donor families makes him special.”
Dr. Wilkins encourages everyone to register to become an organ and tissue donor and to let their families know their wishes to give others hope for a new life, which can provide comfort and ease decision making during a difficult time.
COVID-19
Dear donation partners and advocates
As you are aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local governments and health agencies are responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Gift of Hope works with the 180 Illinois and Northwest Indiana donor hospitals and local and national transplant centers and tissue partners to save lives. The organization’s priority is to keep our employees, partners, the community and the donor population we serve safe and healthy as we continue to pursue our mission. To that end Gift of Hope is staying informed of and following all COVID-19 updates from the CDC and is implementing the necessary guidelines and precautions to help minimize the spread of the virus.
The following guidelines went into effect March 13, 2020 and will remain in effect until further notice:
- Meetings & Events at Gift of Hope: All large gatherings, employee events and celebrations will be postponed or cancelled. Until further notice, meetings will be conducted electronically to avoid all in-person meetings as much as possible. All in-person meetings should be limited to 10 individuals and must be held in a space that allows social distancing.
- Working from Home: Gift of Hope managers will arrange for staff to work at home where job responsibilities allow.
- Travel: Work-related travel is suspended unless related to clinical case or referral management. We are asking that all employees disclose non-work-related travel with leadership. Depending on the destination and potential exposure, employees may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. The risk will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
- Supplies: Gift of Hope leadership is working to ensure we continue to have access to key supplies.
In the event of Employee Exposure
- Self-Quarantine: Employees MUST self-quarantine (stay at home) for 14 days if: (1) they have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath; (2) an individual in their household has tested positive for COVID-19; or (3) any health care provider has advised them to self-quarantine. Exposed staff members MUST contact their supervisor or manger immediately.
- Employee Exposure: If a Gift of Hope employee is exposed, we will take the necessary precautions to keep our entire staff, our community and our donors free from exposure. Gift of Hope will follow CDC Guidance to identify individuals who have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Exposed employee MUST contact their manager immediately if they suspect they have been exposed.
Access to Hospital Facilities:
- It is critical that we come together as a healthcare community to protect our employees and patients.
- Gift of Hope staff members must have their Gift of Hope identification readily available to obtain access to appropriate hospital areas. If you have questions regarding providing access to Gift of Hope employees facility, please contact Maureen Kwiecinski, Gift of Hope VP, External Affairs & General Counsel at (414) 460-6801.
- Gift of Hope front-line staff and clinicians will limit hospital interactions to referral management and clinical case management only.
- Gift of Hope will care for potential donors and continue facilitating the opportunity to save lives through organ and tissue donation.
- Gift of Hope employees will not attempt to access hospital facilities for non-clinical purposes. Clinical purposes include referral and case management. All non-clinical hospital employee education, donor registration events, media events or ceremonies and activities related to the celebration of National Donate Life Month should be postponed.
Donor Testing and Procedures
- Gift of Hope will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate testing opportunities that present themselves for screening donors for COVID-19.
A Record-Breaking Year
Gift of Hope Raises the Bar on Donation – 3,200 Tissue Donors Sets New Mark
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network helped save and enhance more lives through organ and tissue donation in 2019 than in any other year in its history. During the year, 450 people offered the gift of life through organ donation, resulting in more than 1,320 organs being transplanted successfully. Additionally, more than 3,200 people offered lifesaving and life-enhancing gifts of tissue, moving Gift of Hope past the 3,000-tissue-donor threshold for the first time in its 33-year history.
“Milestones like this remind us of the incredible impact we have on our community,” said Kevin Cmunt, Gift of Hope President/CEO. “None of this is possible without the selfless gifts offered by organ and tissue donors and their family members and the dedicated support of our donation partners and volunteers. “These generous donors and committed donation partners have allowed Gift of Hope to recover tissue for thousands of grafts, which can produce healing benefits like mitigating spinal pain, repairing damaged heart valves and offering lifesaving skin grafts to burn patients.”
Gift of Hope’s performance mirrored donation activity across the country. On a national scale, the United Network for Organ Sharing reported that organ procurement organizations like Gift of Hope saved a record number of lives through donation in 2019. Of the 58 OPOs operating in the United States, 48 experienced increases in donation from 2018 to 2019, and 41 established new all-time annual records.
In total, health care teams across the country performed 39,718 transplants with organs from deceased and living donors. This marked an 8.7 percent increase over 2018 and established a seventh consecutive annual record for organ donation and transplantation.
“This staggering increase is a tribute to the dedication of donors and their families nationwide who make the courageous decision at a time of great personal loss to give the gift of life to people who are awaiting organ transplantation,” said Maryl Johnson, M.D., President of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network’s Board of Directors. “While we recognize the sacrifices that have been made to make the increase possible, we are steadfast in continuing to serve the needs of nearly 113,000 people in the United States who are still awaiting a transplant.”
In 2019, the wait for lifesaving organ transplants ended for many people, and countless more received lifesaving and life-enhancing skin grafts, bone grafts, valve replacements and other tissue transplants. However, significant public misconceptions surrounding organ and tissue donation continue as the need for organ and tissue donors continues to grow.
“The core belief that donation benefits every family is one of the guiding tenets that drives Gift of Hope’s mission and vision,” said Cmunt. “We see time and time again that families take comfort in knowing their loved ones’ legacies don’t end with their death but live on through the gift of donation. Because of this, we will continue to work with our donation partners and our communities to offer the opportunity for donation to as many people as possible and to honor the generous decision of every registered organ and tissue donor and every family that says yes to donation on their loved one’s behalf.”
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Raises the Bar and Sets New Records for Organ and Tissue Donation
ITASCA, Ill. (Jan. 10, 2019) – In 2017, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network made history by offering a record number of people the opportunity to say “yes” to becoming organ and tissue donors. Those records were shattered in 2018, with a 67 percent increase in tissue donors and 14 percent increase in organ donors. Through the generosity of these organ and tissue donors, tens of thousands of people received lifesaving and life-enhancing transplants during 2018.
“While it’s easy for people to understand how donation benefits recipients, people forget that becoming an organ and tissue donor also benefits donor families,” said Kevin Cmunt, Gift of Hope President/CEO. “Families take comfort in knowing their loved ones’ legacies don’t end with their death but live on through the gift of donation. Thanks to our compassionate teams at Gift of Hope, we were able to offer the gift of donation to more than 10,000 in 2018.”
2018/2017 Gift of Hope Donation Data
| 2018 | 2017 | % Change | ||
| Organ Approaches | 979 | 929 | +5% | |
| Organ Authorizations | 609 | 589 | +3% | |
| Organ Donors | 461 | 406 | +14% | |
| Organs Transplanted | 1,302 | 1,226 | +6% | |
| Tissue Approaches | 9,154 | 5,754 | +59% | |
| Tissue Authorizations | 3,962 | 2,734 | +45% | |
| Tissue Donors | 2,991 | 1,796 | +67% |
Although more than 1,100 people in Illinois received organ transplants and countless more received skin grafts, bone grafts, valve replacements and other tissue transplants, the shortage of donated organs and tissue remains critical.
“There are still misconceptions about what organ and tissue donation is, and more public and clinical education is needed,” said Cmunt. “I firmly believe that donation benefits every family. As a nation, we need to remove barriers to donation and ensure that every family that wants to leave a lasting legacy has the support, information and opportunity they need.”