Gift of Hope - Organ & Tissue Donor Network

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is proud to serve as the federally
designated not-for-profit agency that coordinates organ and tissue donation
and supports families of donors in the northern three-quarters of Illinois and
northwest Indiana.

Seventeen years ago, Angelique Marseille found herself lying in a hospital bed dying of liver failure and wondering how and why it was happening to her. Today, she is married, a mother of two children, a Donate Life Illinois volunteer, a chapter leader for Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network’s African-American Task Force, and a 17-year liver recipient.

Angelique was 23-years-old and a third year college student when she was diagnosed with end-stage liver failure due to Idiopathic Autoimmune Cirrhosis. At the time, she was given 10 days or less to live without a transplant. Like it would for most people, the devastating news caused her anger, depression and fear. “ I was so scared, angry and confused as to why this was happening to me. I thought, ‘I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs and I am a pretty good person, so why me?’” Angelique questioned.

In Gift of Hope’s latest Spanish-language commercial, famed midfielder for the Chicago Fire soccer league, Marco Pappa not only dreams of making the winning goal but also dreams of becoming a champion. Fire fans can also become champions by setting their goal to saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation. Pappa asks fans to join the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry and to discuss organ and tissue donation with family and friends.

Three-Year-Old Saves Four Lives
Thanks to Jose Salvador Soto’s parents’ selfless decision to donate their 3-year-old son’s organs, four people received a second chance at life. To read how one young Hispanic boy saved lives, and how his family made the selfless decision, click here.

Gift of Hope Employee Award by the Chicago Defender for Excellence in Community Efforts
Gift of Hope’s Community Affairs Specialist, Carolyn Vazquez, was awarded by The Chicago Defender as a Woman of Excellence on April 16. Click here to read the article published about her extraordinary community efforts.

You Can Be a Donor
Did you know practically anyone, regardless of age, race or sex – or many health conditions – can become an organ and tissue donor? One of the biggest myths is that diabetics can’t be organ donors, but in reality, diabetes does not prevent a person from becoming a donor. Click here to read more.

Heart Recipient Climbs the Hancock
For years Melissa Simon had heart disease that prevented her from doing any strenuous activity, but thanks to her new heart and organ donor, Chloe Coleman, Melissa was able to climb to the top of the Hancock. To read more about her story, click here.

Waves of Hope
Memorial Medical Center in Springfield honors its organ/tissue donors and their families every time a donation is made by raising a Donate Life flag. To read more about this remarkable tribute, click here.