This past Saturday, hundreds of donor family members and friends from across Illinois (over 700 people total!) gathered in Peoria to honor the legacy of those who gave the gift of hope through organ, eye and tissue donation.
My coworker, Gabi, who helps manage our online transplant community and connect with the donation community over on Twitter (among many other things) was able to attend the event. Gabi was kind enough to snap some photos and help guide our videographer around to capture some footage of the event and talk with those in attendance. I also asked her to share her experience below as she also has a personal tie to the issue.
-Scott
Gabi
On Saturday I had a moving, special experience…at “work”. Gift of Hope and the Illinois Eye Bank hosted A Day of Hope and Remembrance.
This was a particularly special event for me for a few reasons. First, I was so honored to pay tribute to so many remarkable people who selflessly gave the gift of hope. Second, over the past couple of months I have been communicating with many of you through Twitter and Ning (I’m here for those that haven’t connected!), and this was a wonderful opportunity for me to break out of the virtual world and meet many of you face-to-face. You have to love the power of social media and its ability to help forge these real world connections. And lastly, my own personal connection to organ donation through my older sister’s wait for her own gift of hope through a kidney transplant made me feel especially connected to all those there.
For those who attended the day’s events, thank you for coming out to help share in the memory of your loved ones—the day was truly memorable (HUGE thanks to Diane Schmitz, Donor Family Services Coordinator at Gift of Hope who put this all together). And for those who felt that it was still a bit too soon, please know that you and your family were in our thoughts and prayers as we sowed our seeds of love in Wildlife Prairie State Park. Below are a few photos I snapped from the event, enjoy.
Thank you all,
~ Gabi
*To view more photos, please visit www.facebook.com/DonateLifeIllinois.
Welcome
Honor Stone
Tribute Quilt
Big Hug
Honor Shirts
[...] Day of Hope and Remembrance [...]
[...] of Hope and Remembrance Video Recap Back in September, we posted a recap of this year’s donor family event at Wildlife Prairie State Park near Peoria, [...]