Many have joined or plan to do so soon

Hundreds of high school driver’s education studentsthroughout Illinois are hearing classroom presentations aboutorgan/tissue donation from donor program coordinators. Thecoordinators are educating teens about organ and tissuedonation before they are asked to join the donor registry whenthey receive their driver’s licenses. Coordinators often bring atransplant recipient or someone with a personal donor story toshare his or her experience with students or they share theirown real-life experiences. Two coordinators can personallyattest to how organ donation changed their lives.

As of December 2018, 54,000 16- and 17-year-olds haveregistered their donor decisions. The number continues toclimb as teens become more aware of the program and thefact that they can make their own decisions at age 16 and 17.Many teens cite the ability to make a difference in the lives ofothers as what fueled their decisions to sign up. The teens whohave known someone with a transplant, sometimes withintheir own families, share those stories with their classmatesand encourage their peers to participate.

Pastors support donation at churches

National Donor Sabbath, a faith-basedobservance of organ and tissue donation, wascelebrated Nov. 9-11, 2018. Clergy from manyreligions were encouraged to participate inworship services and other donor events toincrease awareness for donation.

Secretary of State Jesse White held a pressconference about National Donor Sabbathon Nov. 8 at the James R. Thompson Centerin Chicago and was accompanied by severalfaith-based leaders, donor advocates,transplant recipients and those who havelost loved ones. Speaking at the pressconference with Secretary White wereChicago Police Department SuperintendentEddie Johnson, a kidney recipient; ReneeFerguson, the first female African-Americaninvestigative reporter on Chicago television(NBC5 Chicago) who recently lost herhusband, publisher Ken Smikle, because he

did not receive a heart transplant; and VeryRev. Esequiel Sanchez, rector of the Shrine ofOur Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines.Ferguson and Rev. Sanchez recorded donorpublic service announcements for NationalDonor Sabbath in English and Spanish, whichwere distributed to dozens of religious radiostations throughout Illinois.

“We recognize Donor Sabbath to raiseawareness in faith communities becausepeople often believe their religion doesn’tapprove of donation,” said Secretary White.“We want to dispel this myth since themajority of religions support and respect thisact of generosity. Each year 300 people die inIllinois, people like Renee’s husband, becauseof a shortage of organs.”

Also speaking at the press conference wereSenior Pastor David Potete of Chicago’sNorthwest Community Church and hisparishioner, Kelly Roberts, who received a

The Illinois Organ/Tissue DonorProgram staff observed NationalDonor Sabbath in November. It wasa busy month with additionalefforts to increase awareness aboutorgan/tissue donation with eventsthroughout the state. A pressconference with several faith-based leaders and donor advocateshighlighted National DonorSabbath weekend, Nov. 9-11, 2018.I visited three churches in theChicago area on Nov. 11, speakingto worshipers about the importanceof registering as a donor.

The number of 16- and 17-year-olds joining the Illinois registry wasa highlight of 2018. We haveapproximately 54,000 16- and 17-year-olds registered. Our donorstaff has been attending highschool driver’s education classroomprograms to educate andencourage students to considersigning up when they receive theirdriver’s license or identificationcard. Students learn about thebenefits of donation and areencouraged to take the informationhome to share with their families.

As always, a heartfelt thank you tothose at the facility level who makean effort to register new individualseach day across the state. Every‘yes’ from a customer has thepotential to save several lives downthe road. The Illinois Donor Registrystands at 6.6 million individualsthanks to your help. Let’s keep themomentum going!

Jesse WhiteSecretary of State

National Donor Sabbath shines spotlight on donation

Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. January 2019 — 2M — EX 34

Secretary of State Jesse White • Winte

r 2019

Secretary White, surrounded by donor advocates and clergy, spoke about the need for more organ and tissue donors at a pressconference in observance of National Donor Sabbath.

(cont. on pg. 2)

LIFE GOES ON.BE AN ORGAN/TISSUE DONOR.®

High school driver’s education students on board with donation

Nursing program students at Rasmussen College in Romeoville surround heartrecipient Gwen Westlund (center holding brochures).

Morrisonville High School driver’s education students proudly display their greendonor awareness wristbands following a donor classroom presentation on Oct. 4.

Plano High School driver’s education teacher Kyle Kee, far right, and his studentssport green Donate Life Illinois lanyards after an organ and tissue donor presentationon Oct. 25.

Driver’s education students at Chicago’s Hubbard High School hold up a Life Goes Onbanner after a donor classroom presentation.

Jeremy Stillwagon, Jaden Marchkyand Kylie Lafie show their supportfor donation at the IHSA FootballState Finals at the University ofIllinois Memorial Stadium inChampaign on Nov. 23.

kidney from Pastor Potete. “One of the corevalues of our church is servanthood, orserving others,” Pastor Potete said. “I can’ttell you how good it felt to help a friend.”

Rev. Sanchez emphasized the fact thatmost major religions consider donation “alife-giving and charitable act.” Rev.Sanchez survived the Aeromexico jetlinercrash in the Mexican state of Durango inthe summer of 2018. All 103 passengersmade it out safely before the plane burstinto flames. Rev. Sanchez, who had a badlybroken arm, returned to the plane in thepouring rain to offer help to others. Heknows what a close call all the passengershad that day.

Others supported Secretary White’smessage, including Tracy Alston, FirstLadies Health Initiative; Rev. AnthonyMcPherson, Mid-America TransplantService; Shibu Peter, Chicago’s Indiancommunity’s donor awareness coordinator;and staff from the Gift of Hope Organ &Tissue Donor Network, National KidneyFoundation of Illinois and Eversight Illinois.

Secretary White traveled to threeChicago-area churches on Nov. 11 topromote the message of donation tothose in attendance. He recognized eachof the churches with a plaque recognizingits support and efforts in support oforgan/tissue donation. Pastor and heart

recipient Stephen Richardson, of JordanTemple Baptist Church in Hillside,welcomed Secretary White to speak to hiscongregation. Pastor Richardson, a two-time heart transplant recipient, receivedhis first heart on Nov. 11, 1996, and hissecond heart in November 2013. Herecently celebrated 25 years in theministry. Pastor Clarence Stowers, ofMars Hill Baptist Church in Chicago,greeted Secretary White as the Secretaryspoke about donation at the church. Rockof Ages Baptist Church in Chicago alsoembraced Secretary White’s donormessage with pastors Marvin Wiley andDavid Lowe supporting the Secretary’sefforts to raise awareness about NationalDonor Sabbath.

In Decatur, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospitalhosted a National Donor Sabbath eventon Nov. 9 to recognize donor families,recipients and those waiting for a donormatch, as well as medical personnelinvolved with organ donation. A largecrowd attended the candlelightingceremony. The Irons family, of Maroa,participated in the observance. GillianIrons, 13, is awaiting a second kidneytransplant; her 6-year-old sister, Grace, isalso waiting for a kidney.

National Donor Sabbath shines spotlight on donation (cont. from pg. 1)

Renee Ferguson, former investigative reporter for NBC5 Chicago, spoke at the press conference about losing her husband,publisher Ken Smikle, because a donor heart was not available.

Senior pastor David Potete of Chicago’s Northwest Community Church spoke about donating a kidney to his parishioner,Kelly Roberts, left, standing with her daughter Shannon. To the right of Secretary White are Jack Lynch, Gift of HopeOrgan & Tissue Donor Network; and Eddie Johnson, kidney recipient and the superintendent of the Chicago PoliceDepartment.

Secretary of State Jesse White, right, presents Hillside’sJordan Temple Baptist Church pastor StephenRichardson, left, a heart recipient, with a plaque ofappreciation for his church’s support of organ and tissuedonation in observation of National Donor Sabbath.Pastor Richardson, pictured with his wife, First LadyCynthia Richardson, recently celebrated his 25th year aspastor of Jordan Temple.

Secretary White, left, presents Chicago’s Rock of AgesBaptist Church pastor David Lowe with a plaque ofappreciation for his church’s support of organ andtissue donation during National Donor Sabbath.

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur hosted a NationalDonor Sabbath event to recognize donor families,recipients and those waiting for a transplant, as well asmedical personnel involved with organ donation.

Gillian Irons, of Maroa, lights a candle at HSHS St. Mary’sHospital as a part of their National Donor Sabbath eventon Nov. 9 in Decatur. Gillian and her 6-year-old sister,Grace, are both on dialysis awaiting kidney transplants.

Employee ConnectionIntroducing donor program coordinator Gavin Dillon

For Gavin Dillon, 26, ofLibertyville, life took anunexpected turn when he wasin college. Not feeling well, hemade several trips to thedoctor and was finally diag-nosed with the liver diseasePrimary Sclerosing Cholangitis(PSG). This is the same liverdisease that the late ChicagoBears great Walter Paytondeveloped. Gavin struggled tofinish college, and his diseaseadvanced to the stage wherehe needed a liver transplant.Luckily he was notified thatthere was a whole liveravailable to him from adeceased donor.

At age 23, two-and-a-halfyears ago, Gavin received hisgift from a 21-year-old donor.The transplant was performedat Northwestern MemorialHospital in Chicago in April2016. Gavin reached out tothe father of his donor andthey have since met. Hisdonor’s father shared storiesabout his son and is happy toknow that Gavin’s life wasrestored by his son’s liver. Gavin has been with the Secretary of State’s donorprogram for more than six months, making donor awareness presentations to highschool driver’s education students, staffing donor tables at health fairs andspeaking about his personal transplant story.

“I know how lucky I was to receive my new liver two-and-a-half years ago. It wascertainly a gift of life for me. And I am enjoying being part of the Secretary ofState’s Organ/Tissue Donor Program and being able to share my personal story withmany individuals. If I can encourage people to sign up because of my story, I amhappy to share it.

Gavin Dillon, center, shares his personal experience as a beneficiaryof organ donation at various events. In his personal and professionallife, Gavin advocates for others to become part of the registry fororgan/tissue donation.

kidney from Pastor Potete. “One of the corevalues of our church is servanthood, orserving others,” Pastor Potete said. “I can’ttell you how good it felt to help a friend.”

Rev. Sanchez emphasized the fact thatmost major religions consider donation “alife-giving and charitable act.” Rev.Sanchez survived the Aeromexico jetlinercrash in the Mexican state of Durango inthe summer of 2018. All 103 passengersmade it out safely before the plane burstinto flames. Rev. Sanchez, who had a badlybroken arm, returned to the plane in thepouring rain to offer help to others. Heknows what a close call all the passengershad that day.

Others supported Secretary White’smessage, including Tracy Alston, FirstLadies Health Initiative; Rev. AnthonyMcPherson, Mid-America TransplantService; Shibu Peter, Chicago’s Indiancommunity’s donor awareness coordinator;and staff from the Gift of Hope Organ &Tissue Donor Network, National KidneyFoundation of Illinois and Eversight Illinois.

Secretary White traveled to threeChicago-area churches on Nov. 11 topromote the message of donation tothose in attendance. He recognized eachof the churches with a plaque recognizingits support and efforts in support oforgan/tissue donation. Pastor and heart

recipient Stephen Richardson, of JordanTemple Baptist Church in Hillside,welcomed Secretary White to speak to hiscongregation. Pastor Richardson, a two-time heart transplant recipient, receivedhis first heart on Nov. 11, 1996, and hissecond heart in November 2013. Herecently celebrated 25 years in theministry. Pastor Clarence Stowers, ofMars Hill Baptist Church in Chicago,greeted Secretary White as the Secretaryspoke about donation at the church. Rockof Ages Baptist Church in Chicago alsoembraced Secretary White’s donormessage with pastors Marvin Wiley andDavid Lowe supporting the Secretary’sefforts to raise awareness about NationalDonor Sabbath.

In Decatur, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospitalhosted a National Donor Sabbath eventon Nov. 9 to recognize donor families,recipients and those waiting for a donormatch, as well as medical personnelinvolved with organ donation. A largecrowd attended the candlelightingceremony. The Irons family, of Maroa,participated in the observance. GillianIrons, 13, is awaiting a second kidneytransplant; her 6-year-old sister, Grace, isalso waiting for a kidney.

National Donor Sabbath shines spotlight on donation (cont. from pg. 1)

Renee Ferguson, former investigative reporter for NBC5 Chicago, spoke at the press conference about losing her husband,publisher Ken Smikle, because a donor heart was not available.

Senior pastor David Potete of Chicago’s Northwest Community Church spoke about donating a kidney to his parishioner,Kelly Roberts, left, standing with her daughter Shannon. To the right of Secretary White are Jack Lynch, Gift of HopeOrgan & Tissue Donor Network; and Eddie Johnson, kidney recipient and the superintendent of the Chicago PoliceDepartment.

Secretary of State Jesse White, right, presents Hillside’sJordan Temple Baptist Church pastor StephenRichardson, left, a heart recipient, with a plaque ofappreciation for his church’s support of organ and tissuedonation in observation of National Donor Sabbath.Pastor Richardson, pictured with his wife, First LadyCynthia Richardson, recently celebrated his 25th year aspastor of Jordan Temple.

Secretary White, left, presents Chicago’s Rock of AgesBaptist Church pastor David Lowe with a plaque ofappreciation for his church’s support of organ andtissue donation during National Donor Sabbath.

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur hosted a NationalDonor Sabbath event to recognize donor families,recipients and those waiting for a transplant, as well asmedical personnel involved with organ donation.

Gillian Irons, of Maroa, lights a candle at HSHS St. Mary’sHospital as a part of their National Donor Sabbath eventon Nov. 9 in Decatur. Gillian and her 6-year-old sister,Grace, are both on dialysis awaiting kidney transplants.

Employee ConnectionIntroducing donor program coordinator Gavin Dillon

For Gavin Dillon, 26, ofLibertyville, life took anunexpected turn when he wasin college. Not feeling well, hemade several trips to thedoctor and was finally diag-nosed with the liver diseasePrimary Sclerosing Cholangitis(PSG). This is the same liverdisease that the late ChicagoBears great Walter Paytondeveloped. Gavin struggled tofinish college, and his diseaseadvanced to the stage wherehe needed a liver transplant.Luckily he was notified thatthere was a whole liveravailable to him from adeceased donor.

At age 23, two-and-a-halfyears ago, Gavin received hisgift from a 21-year-old donor.The transplant was performedat Northwestern MemorialHospital in Chicago in April2016. Gavin reached out tothe father of his donor andthey have since met. Hisdonor’s father shared storiesabout his son and is happy toknow that Gavin’s life wasrestored by his son’s liver. Gavin has been with the Secretary of State’s donorprogram for more than six months, making donor awareness presentations to highschool driver’s education students, staffing donor tables at health fairs andspeaking about his personal transplant story.

“I know how lucky I was to receive my new liver two-and-a-half years ago. It wascertainly a gift of life for me. And I am enjoying being part of the Secretary ofState’s Organ/Tissue Donor Program and being able to share my personal story withmany individuals. If I can encourage people to sign up because of my story, I amhappy to share it.

Gavin Dillon, center, shares his personal experience as a beneficiaryof organ donation at various events. In his personal and professionallife, Gavin advocates for others to become part of the registry fororgan/tissue donation.

Many have joined or plan to do so soon

Hundreds of high school driver’s education studentsthroughout Illinois are hearing classroom presentations aboutorgan/tissue donation from donor program coordinators. Thecoordinators are educating teens about organ and tissuedonation before they are asked to join the donor registry whenthey receive their driver’s licenses. Coordinators often bring atransplant recipient or someone with a personal donor story toshare his or her experience with students or they share theirown real-life experiences. Two coordinators can personallyattest to how organ donation changed their lives.

As of December 2018, 54,000 16- and 17-year-olds haveregistered their donor decisions. The number continues toclimb as teens become more aware of the program and thefact that they can make their own decisions at age 16 and 17.Many teens cite the ability to make a difference in the lives ofothers as what fueled their decisions to sign up. The teens whohave known someone with a transplant, sometimes withintheir own families, share those stories with their classmatesand encourage their peers to participate.

Pastors support donation at churches

National Donor Sabbath, a faith-basedobservance of organ and tissue donation, wascelebrated Nov. 9-11, 2018. Clergy from manyreligions were encouraged to participate inworship services and other donor events toincrease awareness for donation.

Secretary of State Jesse White held a pressconference about National Donor Sabbathon Nov. 8 at the James R. Thompson Centerin Chicago and was accompanied by severalfaith-based leaders, donor advocates,transplant recipients and those who havelost loved ones. Speaking at the pressconference with Secretary White wereChicago Police Department SuperintendentEddie Johnson, a kidney recipient; ReneeFerguson, the first female African-Americaninvestigative reporter on Chicago television(NBC5 Chicago) who recently lost herhusband, publisher Ken Smikle, because he

did not receive a heart transplant; and VeryRev. Esequiel Sanchez, rector of the Shrine ofOur Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines.Ferguson and Rev. Sanchez recorded donorpublic service announcements for NationalDonor Sabbath in English and Spanish, whichwere distributed to dozens of religious radiostations throughout Illinois.

“We recognize Donor Sabbath to raiseawareness in faith communities becausepeople often believe their religion doesn’tapprove of donation,” said Secretary White.“We want to dispel this myth since themajority of religions support and respect thisact of generosity. Each year 300 people die inIllinois, people like Renee’s husband, becauseof a shortage of organs.”

Also speaking at the press conference wereSenior Pastor David Potete of Chicago’sNorthwest Community Church and hisparishioner, Kelly Roberts, who received a

The Illinois Organ/Tissue DonorProgram staff observed NationalDonor Sabbath in November. It wasa busy month with additionalefforts to increase awareness aboutorgan/tissue donation with eventsthroughout the state. A pressconference with several faith-based leaders and donor advocateshighlighted National DonorSabbath weekend, Nov. 9-11, 2018.I visited three churches in theChicago area on Nov. 11, speakingto worshipers about the importanceof registering as a donor.

The number of 16- and 17-year-olds joining the Illinois registry wasa highlight of 2018. We haveapproximately 54,000 16- and 17-year-olds registered. Our donorstaff has been attending highschool driver’s education classroomprograms to educate andencourage students to considersigning up when they receive theirdriver’s license or identificationcard. Students learn about thebenefits of donation and areencouraged to take the informationhome to share with their families.

As always, a heartfelt thank you tothose at the facility level who makean effort to register new individualseach day across the state. Every‘yes’ from a customer has thepotential to save several lives downthe road. The Illinois Donor Registrystands at 6.6 million individualsthanks to your help. Let’s keep themomentum going!

Jesse WhiteSecretary of State

National Donor Sabbath shines spotlight on donation

Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. January 2019 — 2M — EX 34

Secretary of State Jesse White • Winte

r 2019

Secretary White, surrounded by donor advocates and clergy, spoke about the need for more organ and tissue donors at a pressconference in observance of National Donor Sabbath.

(cont. on pg. 2)

LIFE GOES ON.BE AN ORGAN/TISSUE DONOR.®

High school driver’s education students on board with donation

Nursing program students at Rasmussen College in Romeoville surround heartrecipient Gwen Westlund (center holding brochures).

Morrisonville High School driver’s education students proudly display their greendonor awareness wristbands following a donor classroom presentation on Oct. 4.

Plano High School driver’s education teacher Kyle Kee, far right, and his studentssport green Donate Life Illinois lanyards after an organ and tissue donor presentationon Oct. 25.

Driver’s education students at Chicago’s Hubbard High School hold up a Life Goes Onbanner after a donor classroom presentation.

Jeremy Stillwagon, Jaden Marchkyand Kylie Lafie show their supportfor donation at the IHSA FootballState Finals at the University ofIllinois Memorial Stadium inChampaign on Nov. 23.