Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network

Calling all colleagues, friends, and community partners to join us at the Gift of Hope Community Foundation Inaugural 5K Run, Walk & Roll, on September 29th! Together, we will celebrate our community of donor families and transplant recipients while raising funds to support programs and services Gift of Hope provides to donor families. Registration is now open! Click the link to secure your teams’ spot: bit.ly/3VTSXuO

A big thank you to our donor families, Ambassadors and staff who participated in the 4th of July parades with us yesterday in Arlington Heights, Ill. and Merrillville, Ind. to share our donation message with the communities! 💜Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation at giftofhope.org

Wishing you a safe & happy #FourthofJuly! 💜

Who spotted Gift of Hope at the Chicago Pride Parade yesterday?! We had a blast walking in the parade again this year with the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce to share our donation message with the thousands of people who joined the celebration! A big thank you to our Gift of Hope staff, Ambassadors and volunteers for spending the day with us to bring attention to our life-saving mission. 💜Learn more about organ, eye & tissue donation at giftofhope.org

Eligibility to donate is determined by medical professionals and specially trained medical practitioners from organ procurement organizations at the time of the person's death. Sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression does not prevent someone from potentially becoming an organ donor or receiving a life-saving organ transplant. Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation at giftofhope.org #SayYestoDonation #GiftofHope #DonateLife

Pat's journey started in 1998 when he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Living with declining lung function brought many limitations and the need for supportive oxygen, but Pat defied the odds for 10 years before needing a life-saving transplant. In May of 2009, Pat received a lung transplant and has been so grateful for the many years he has been given thanks to the gift of organ donation. Under the care of his medical team and the support of his family and friends, Pat has been able to celebrate many milestones as he hit the 15th anniversary of his lung transplant this year at the age of 83! He has celebrated 60 years of marriage, is a father of 3 daughters, grandfather to 11, and a friend to many others. Pat was the driving force behind the establishment of a support group for patients and is a tireless advocate for organ donation. He continues to be a testament to the life-saving gift of organ donation and the impact it can have on the lives of so many. #SayYestoDonation #GiftofHope #DonateLife Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation at giftofhope.org

We join the Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT) and others across the country in commemorating Juneteenth and recognizing that achieving true freedom requires dismantling systemic barriers to healthcare and ensuring health equity for every individual regardless of race or background. Currently in the U.S., African Americans make up 13% of the population, yet 28% are waiting for an organ transplant. Dr. Velma Scantlebury, the first African American female transplant surgeon in the U.S., reminds us: "Increasing organ donation in minority communities is not just about numbers—it's about saving lives and giving hope to families." Together, we can create a more inclusive transplant community that celebrates the diversity of our nation and ensures equal access to life-saving treatments for all. ______ On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day.

More than 64,000 men are currently on the national transplant waiting list, 85% of them are waiting for a life-saving kidney. You can help – #SayYestoDonation and register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at giftofhope.org #MensHealthWeek #DonateLife #GiftofHope

Throwback to an incredible evening at the Water Lantern Festival in Lake Zurich last month where donor families and Gift of Hope staff joined for a unique opportunity to honor their loved ones. #GiftofHope #SaYYestoDonation #DonateLife Learn about organ, eye and tissue donation at giftofhope.org

Delve into the critical intersection of health equity and organ donation with podcast guest Iheoma Okeke Banks, Manager of Hospital & Partner Relations at Gift of Hope. With a background in clinical psychology and focus on advocating for equitable healthcare, Iheoma has dedicated her career to ensuring that individuals have access to fair and compassionate medical care. She spearheads initiatives that foster trust and understanding between hospitals and communities, particularly within the African American community where historical mistrust of healthcare institutions persists. Learn about the vital role of the Hospital Development team, and the collaborative and empathetic efforts needed to ensure that hospitals are equipped to support families through every step of the donation process. 🎙️Listen to this episode of Let's Talk Hope here: bit.ly/3V1Lmda #GiftofHope #SayYestoDonation