Editor’s Note: Steve Ferkau is a long-time friend of Gift of Hope and a staunch donation advocate. In 2000, Steve received the gift of life from Kari Westberg, a 17-year-old girl from Iowa, transforming his life forever. Steve recently shared his story at A Celebration of Hope, an annual event that Gift of Hope holds to [...]
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and Norwegian American Hospital in Chicago unveiled and dedicated the donation-themed Give Hope – Give Life outdoor wall mural at a Nov. 14 ceremony. The mural is designed to raise community awareness of organ and tissue donation and honor the individuals and family members who have offered the [...]
Izaiah, shown on his 15th birthday, was a loving, talented, caring, smart and determined young man, according to his mother, Irma. His loving and giving personality helped her make the decision to authorize organ and tissue donation, she said. Izaiah Franceschi was a vibrant, athletic and charismatic 15-year-old high school student at Maine West [...]
While on an annual family group camping trip, 16 -year -old Kyle Zuleg was killed by a falling tree limb while playing flashlight tag with friends in a forest preserve. Kyle’s family made the selfless decision to donate Kyle’s organ, saving five people. After his passing, Kyle’s family created the Kyle Zuleg foundation in his honor. [...]
Olivia “Livi” Sonetz was a force of nature — energetic, kind, unstoppable, fearless and unforgettable. Tragically, Livi, who was a senior at Normal Community West High School in Normal, Ill., died on March 7 after an automobile accident one day earlier. Despite the magnitude of their loss and sorrow, her parents, Laura and Paul, authorized organ [...]
