“When Gift of Hope goes into the hospital and is working with a donor and donor family, we’re on sacred ground. It’s not our sacred ground, it’s that family’s sacred ground.”
– Kevin Cmunt, Former CEO/President of Gift of Hope
Sacred Ground
Sacred Ground
More Articles
What is Tissue Donation?
By Gift of Hope
/ August 2, 2019
Every day people experience life-altering medical improvements through tissue transplants from organ and tissue donors....
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Which organs and tissues are most needed?
By GoH
/ June 28, 2019
Every morning more than 3,000 Illinois residents and 1,147 Indiana residents wake up hoping that...
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Nico’s Tattoo Story
By GoH
/ June 15, 2019
There are so many ways to memorialize a loved one who has passed. When Nico’s...
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What organs and tissues can be donated while alive?
By GoH
/ June 13, 2019
Which organs and tissues can come from living donors? Understanding the need Every 10 minutes...
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How do I donate an organ to someone in my family?
By GoH
/ June 13, 2019
Being on a waiting list for an organ transplant is stressful. With each passing day...
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What Happens After a Donation?
By GoH
/ June 11, 2019
Organ and tissue donation is a gift that costs you nothing but is priceless for...
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Mother Honors Donor In Spirit Son By Advocating For Donation
By GoH
/ March 18, 2019
Organ and tissue donation is a clinical, emotional and complex process. Saying yes to donation...
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Norwegian American Hospital Donation- Themed Mural Unveiled
By GoH
/ February 4, 2019
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and Norwegian American Hospital in Chicago unveiled...
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Nikki’s Gift: A Lasting Legacy
By GoH
/ February 1, 2019
As a mother and a friend, Vicki Olds has a storehouse of love that knows...
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Donor Mother Shares Story of Loving, Lifesaving Son
By GoH
/ January 28, 2019
Izaiah, shown on his 15th birthday, was a loving, talented, caring, smart and determined young...
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Kyle Shines On
By GoH
/ January 3, 2019
While on an annual family group camping trip, 16 -year -old Kyle Zuleg was killed...
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The Legacy of Donor in Spirit Derrick Page Lives on Through The Lives He Touched
By GoH
/ December 5, 2018
If Derrick Page could’ve given his heart to his grandfather, Larry, he would have. That’s...
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Gordon Harris Cherishes Second Chance At Life After Heart Transplant
By GoH
/ December 5, 2018
During their first meeting, Michael (left) heard the heart of his 17-year-old daughter Payton beating...
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Jessica Goodrich: A Daughter’s Journey
By GoH
/ December 3, 2018
One of Jessica's father's favorite sayings was, "It's a great day to be alive." When...
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“I Never Wanted To Be A Victim. I Wanted To Be A Survivor”
By GoH
/ November 9, 2018
Life for Jamie Nieto was typical in 2003. He was a 19-year-old sophomore in college,...
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Kelvin’s New Heart
By GoH
/ November 8, 2018
Kelvin Martin is many things. He’s a deejay (DJ Flash … watch out for him),...
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A Loving Mother Gives Life Lessons to Son, New Lessons to Others
By GoH
/ November 2, 2018
Since the shooting that left him paralyzed from the waist down, Shawn has become one...
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Rachel Dean’s Spirit of Giving Will Always Be Remembered
By GoH
/ October 26, 2018
As a donor in spirit, Rachel was a kind and compassionate person who left an...
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Maddie Finch Became a Tissue Donor and a Beacon of Hope For Others
By GoH
/ October 19, 2018
Maddie Finch Jim Allmon is no stranger to the difficult task of knocking on the...
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Julie Prangl: A Call No Parent Ever Wants to Get
By GoH
/ October 4, 2018
When Julie Prangl took her son, Nick, for his driver’s license, they saw a sign...
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Jonathan’s Second Chance
By GoH
/ September 10, 2018
Jonathan Bell has accomplished a lot in the past year. He went to state in...
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The 14: Alice Siete-Nevel
By GoH
/ July 30, 2018
Alice, center with her grandchildren When her mother needed a kidney transplant in 1996, Alice...
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Do It For Tom: Suzie Sturm
By GoH
/ July 27, 2018
If you search for Suzie Sturm using social media, you might find her using the...
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Champion: Colette Jordan
By GoH
/ July 26, 2018
Colette, center In October of 2006, Lisle resident, Colette Jordan, received the news that she...
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Home of Love: Barb Thomas
By GoH
/ July 24, 2018
James Love and Barb Thomas When Barbara Thomas rented out her home to the Love...
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Livi Sonetz Lives On
By GoH
/ July 13, 2018
Olivia “Livi” Sonetz was a force of nature — energetic, kind, unstoppable, fearless and unforgettable....
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Friday the 13th: Vince Shavers
By GoH
/ July 13, 2018
Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in western cultures. Vince Shavers, a 52-year-old...
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2018 Transplant Games of America: Jerry Taylor
By GoH
/ July 11, 2018
College is supposed to be some of the best years of your life. During college,...
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Dancing Again After a Kidney Transplant: Monica Fox
By GoH
/ July 6, 2018
Monica Fox (center) The longer Monica Fox of Flossmoor, Ill. spent on the waiting list...
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Now This Covers Mario Cousins Donation Story
By GoH
/ April 17, 2018
Now This, the media site reporting on the latest video news, investigative reports, interviews and...
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Aidan Shea: A Catalyst for Change
By GoH
/ April 12, 2018
Throughout Gift of Hope’s 30-year history, it has held steadfast to its vision that every...
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Sacred Ground
By GoH
/ January 31, 2018
When Gift of Hope goes into the hospital and is working with a donor and...
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Supporting the Gift: Gift of Hope Honors Springfield Hospitals for Organ and Tissue Donation Efforts
By GoH
/ September 29, 2017
In a moving ceremony on Tuesday, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network presented...
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Park of Hope Dedicated to Young Steger “Superhero”
By GoH
/ August 30, 2017
On June 3, dozens of families, friends, local dignitaries and representatives from Gift of Hope...
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“Drive for Life” Act Becomes Law, Allowing 16- and 17-Year-Olds to Join State Organ Donor Registry
By GoH
/ August 12, 2017
Beginning January 1, 2018, 16- and 17-year-olds in Illinois will able to join the organ...
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Changing Tragedy into Triumph: Aftercare Specialist
By GoH
/ June 24, 2017
Changing Tragedy into Triumph: Aftercare Specialist Renata Krzyston, Aftercare Specialist “Grief and sadness are part...
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Honoring the Donation Decision: Tissue Recovery Supervisor
By GoH
/ June 24, 2017
Honoring the Donation Decision: Tissue Recovery Supervisor Roy Mayfield, Senior Supervisor of Facilities and Tissue...
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Honoring the Donation Decision: Allocation and Perfusion Coordinator
By GoH
/ June 24, 2017
Honoring the Donation Decision: Allocation and Perfusion Coordinator Jessina Wiley, Allocation and Perfusion Coordinator “The...
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Honoring the Donation Decision: Organ Recovery Coordinator
By GoH
/ June 24, 2017
Honoring the Donation Decision: Organ Recovery Coordinator Cara Moulesong, Organ Recovery Coordinator “One thing I...
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Saying ‘Yes’ to Donation: Donation Specialist
By GoH
/ June 23, 2017
Saying 'Yes' to Donation: Donation Specialist Donation Specialist Supervisor, Damon Marks “Many times families struggle...
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The Referral Call: Donor Resource Coordinator
By GoH
/ April 27, 2017
A National Donate Life Month Story Series "You've Said 'Yes' to Donation. Now What?" is...
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Compassionate Care: Critical Care Nurse
By GoH
/ April 27, 2017
The Call Our Community Affairs and Hospital Development teams work diligently to increase public awareness...
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Getting to ‘Yes’ & Working Together: Donation Coordinator
By GoH
/ April 27, 2017
A National Donate Life Month Story Series "You've Said 'Yes' to Donation. Now What?" is...
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Getting to ‘Yes’ and Working Together: Community Outreach Specialist
By GoH
/ April 27, 2017
A National Donate Life Month Story Series "You've Said 'Yes' to Donation. Now What?" is...
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Portraits of Hope Event Honors Donors, Family Members
By GoH
/ November 22, 2016
The 2016 edition of Portraits of Hope, our annual tribute to donor families and their...
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Mount Sinai, Donor Family Honored for Donation Support
By GoH
/ October 13, 2016
In a moving April ceremony at Chicago’s Mount Sinai Hospital, Gift of Hope presented a...
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Donor Father Shares Story on ESPN Radio
By GoH
/ August 6, 2016
Samantha's Story - Saving Lives Through Organ and Tissue Donation
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Donor Family Advisory Council Member Pat Perry Dies
By GoH
/ May 26, 2016
It is with great sadness that we announce that longtime Gift of Hope Donor Family...
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