Thanks to student involvement on campuses across the state, we have registered more than 1,000 lifesaving organ/tissue donors in this year’s Challenge!

One week remains and Kankakee Community College still holds on to the top spot. Following very close behind is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Eastern Illinois University. We’re definitely in for a close race to the end!

This past week, The Journal Gazette in Mattoon published this excellent story and this great great editorial that discusses EIU’s involvement in the Challenge, mentioning a recent campus presentation from Joslyn Osten, senior public education coordinator with Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network.

Stayed tuned for final results next week and the announcement of the winning schools!

Total = 1,008 lifesaving registrations!

Dr. Caicedo

Last week, Crain’s Chicago Business released their annual 40 Under 40 list that honors 40 hardworking, inspiring innovators in Chicago’s professional community.

One of the honorees this year is Dr. Jaun Carlos Caicedo – a transplant surgeon and Director of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Hispanic Transplant Program.

Dr. Caicedo spearheaded a team of 20 bilingual staff to better assist with Hispanic patient care and to help educate family members about the transplant process. His work has payed off in a big way as he has helped nearly double the number of Hispanic patients who have received a kidney transplant since 2006.

Hop over to Crain’s 40 under 40 site at the link above to check out a great video from Dr. Caicedo on his work. Congrats Dr. Caicedo!

-Scott

Carrie Underwood (from US99)

Donate Life Illinois is back on the country bandwagon!

You may recall that we teamed up with US99 last summer for a partnering sponsorship at their annual Kenny Chesney concert at Soldier Field. The event was a huge success as many concertgoers stopped by our booth to register as donors.

This week, we’ll be giving away 15 pairs of free tickets to a special private show with Carrie Underwood at Joe’s Bar in Chicago on December 3.

You must be 21 or older to attend.

Details:
Carrie Underwood Live Country
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Joe’s Bar
940 W. Weed Street – Chicago, Ill.
Doors – 7 p.m., Show – 8 p.m

Now the important part. We’ll be giving away 5 pairs of tickets each day on November 11, 12 and 13. Click over to our Donate Life Illinois Facebook page to learn how to WIN!

Good luck!

-Scott

Last month we mentioned that we had been working with Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman to create a commercial for Donate Life Illinois. We’re happy to unveil the commerical below!

This is one component of a larger campaign we’re doing to help share Charles’ support for the issue. Stay tuned!

-Scott

It’s time for our weekly update on the 2009 Donate Life Illinois Campus Challenge!

One month into the Challenge and Kankakee Community College is still on top! This week, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana follows in close second with Eastern Illinois University in third place.

Two student newspapers covered the Challenge this past week. Check out the articles from The Columbia Chronicle and the Chicago Flame.

This week, students will also be participating in the Organ Donation Online Update Day. On Friday, Nov. 6, participants will be tapping into their social networks on Facebook by changing their profile photo and posting a dedicated status update while tagging DLI’s fan page. All details and information can be found at the link above.

Nov. 3 Registrations Total = 798

Last but not least, a quick photo submitted from the student nurses at UIUC!

-Scott

UIUC Student Nurses prepare to register fellow students!

Superman Morgan

Thanks to everyone who voted this year to help me pick my Halloween costume! I didn’t think I could out do my awesome pirate costume from last year, but man did you guys come through for me!

I’ve always considered it a privilege to represent the incredible men and women of Illinois who help save countless lives each and every day with organ/tissue donation, but I’d never go so far as to call myself a superhero; I’d reserve that for those who give the gift of life. Nonetheless, the organ donation community made their voices heard and this year I came out strong and donned a red cape, blue boots and a yellow underwear thingy to be THE hero of all heroes…SUPERMAN!

I somehow managed to overbook myself for the evening (I’m a popular guy, what can I say?) so having the power to fly around the state for the night definitely made things a whole lot easier. As I flew around Illinois, I got to see all the great costumes you guys put together and wow was I impressed!

Another great thing about being Superman for the night was that after eating all that yummy Halloween candy (and let me tell you, a liver sure can eat), I was able to take a quick jog around the state and whew, did I feel as fit as ever.

But of course, aside from having an awesome time and showing off my super cool costume, I wanted to make sure I got out and spread the word about the importance of organ/tissue donation. I met some wonderful people who wanted to learn more about what it takes to become an organ donor and they were so eager to register, it was incredible!

I had just a great time, and thanks again for helping pick out such a cool costume for me. And remember, you don’t need a cape to help
save a life! Register to be an organ/tissue donor today.

~ Morgz D’ Orgz

A few weeks ago, members of the DLI team headed down to Charleston, IL to visit Eastern Illinois University to film a video with student Carissa Coon, sister of Bill Coon.

We originally filmed this video to provide some shareable content for participants of our Campus Challenge to pass around to friends, family members and fellow students to help drive home the importance of registering to be an organ donor. While producing the video last week, we received word that Bill had received his lifesaving heart and kidney transplants. Bill’s cousin Natalie, reports that Bill is recovering great.

Take a moment to check out the video below and share with others!

-Scott

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahEUATK1_O0

After week three of the 2009 Donate Life Illinois Campus Challenge, Kankakee Community College holds on to the top spot with Eastern Illinois University still following in second. U of I and WIU are neck and neck for the third slot.

We were also thrilled to hear that Columbia student Bill Coon received his heart and kidney transplants this past week! Bill’s sister, Carissa, has been highly involved in EIU’s Challenge efforts. Check out this past blog post for a complete update and keep an eye out for a follow-up video featuring Carissa and Bill.

The Challenge was also recently covered in this great article from the College of DuPage’s student paper, the Courier. The Journal-Courier also did a nice article about MacMurray College’s efforts.

We’ll keep you posted with another Challenge update next week.

-Scott

Current Registration Total:  624



A message from Morgan:

Morgan D' Organ

It’s that time of year again.

Yup, every October, people like to laugh and giggle and make fun of the big pink guy rolling around town. I guess some people just assume that I am some Halloween fanatic that celebrates year-round. Wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I love Halloween, but there’s no denying that I am in fact a giant liver that most enjoys promoting organ and tissue donation all the time.

So, once a year, I get the chance to put a twist on my usual good looks and draw some fresh eyes with a costume. The problem is that I can never quite decide which route to take. I’ve always got ideas but can never quite pick the right outfit.

That’s where YOU come in. We’ve got one week until the big dress up day and I need some serious help. Take a look below and let me know what you think about my options. Last year, all signs pointed toward me being a pirate. I definitely enjoyed saying “arrrgghhh” a lot but let’s be honest – I’m quite the gentle giant.

The polls will close this Thursday, October 29 with the results revealed Friday, October 30, just in time for the big day. Feel free to pass this post around for your friends and coworkers to vote as well and I’ll be sure to share some photos from my night on the town.

Cheers!

~Morgz D’ Orgz

Vampire Morgan

Superman Morgan

Hippie Morgan

Twitter Morgan

MJ Morgan

Save Falcon Morgan

VOTE HERE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!

Today, we wanted to spotlight Donate Life Illinois’ hard-working Volunteer Coordinator, Jane Lee-Zimmer. Check out below to learn more about how to get involved and what it means to be a volunteer for DLI.

-Scott

In a nutshell, what’s your role as the Volunteer Coordinator for Donate Life Illinois?

Jane

As the Volunteer Coordinator for Donate Life Illinois, I am responsible for maintaining and managing the volunteer program.

I have been developing a new volunteer training, structure, meeting schedule and (of course!)  appreciation.   I am responsible for training and educating our volunteers about organ/tissue donation, teaching volunteers how to speak in public and scheduling volunteers for events.  All of our events are brought to us by other volunteers or our partners in the community so it is often a matching game to find the right ‘match’ so that our message is most effectively heard.  Additionally, I am responsible for coordinating the Donate Life Illinois High School Program where we educate high school students about organ/tissue donation.

Does one have to have a personal tie to organ/tissue donation to volunteer?

No.  Many of our volunteers just realize the importance surrounding organ/tissue donation and want to volunteer and be an advocate for the cause.

What types of events and activities do DLI volunteers participate in?

When DLI participates in events, our goal is to register people in our state’s organ/tissue registry; that’s how we can help the 100,000 plus people waiting nationally.

The majority of our events are brought to use by our volunteers—donor registration drives at workplaces, schools, houses of worship, community health fairs and etc.  Some of our other events are speaking engagements where we have requests from other volunteers and our partners in the community who want to hear directly from a recipient or donor family on what their experience with donation and transplantation was like.

What’s the best way to get involved?

Join us!  Fill out the volunteer application, come to a training and set up a registration table!  It’s that easy!  Whether you are an avid knitter, runner, or a biker, maybe there is a place where you can register people to be an organ/tissue donor.  From your workplace, house of worship to community festival, there may be other opportunities for you to help register others.  Your circle of influence can help us get the word out about organ/tissue donation!  Just give me a call or shoot me an email  (see below) and let’s chat!

I am excited to invite you to Donate Life Illinois Volunteer Network’s volunteer training sessions!  Each training session will go over the same material: organ / tissue donation, what it means to be a volunteer for Donate Life Illinois, volunteer expectations, and a speaker’s training.  Lunch will be provided during each session.

Saturday, October 24, 2009 10:00am – 2:00pm

Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall

406 S. Eldorado Road

Bloomington, Illinois 61704

Or

Saturday, November 7, 2009 10:00am – 2:00pm

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network

425 Spring Lake Road

Itasca, Illinois 60143

*Please note, this is the NEW office*

Please note if you have never been to a Donate Life Illinois Volunteer Training, you must attend a volunteer training before you will be able to participate in any Donate Life Illinois events.

RSVP’s are required if you will be attending.

Please email Jane at jlee-zimmer@giftofhope.org or leave a message at 630.758.2740 by Monday, October 19, 2009.