2009 has certainly been an exciting year for Illinois’ organ/tissue donation community. As we get ready to dive in on a new decade, here’s a quick look back at some DLI highlights from the past year. Feel free to add additional highlights with a comment below!
January
Steve Ferkau – Ride of His Life
The New Year kicked off with a bang as DLI advocate Steve Ferkau took to the streets of Pasadena as a float rider representative on the 2009 Donate Life Rose Parade Float.
Launch of IL Transplant Connect Site
We launched a social networking site to help facilitate connections between anyone in Illinois who shares a personal tie to organ/tissue donation. The site has grown to nearly 300 members!
February
DLI volunteers joined Secretary of State Jesse White at a DePaul basketball game to help register attendees as donors and call attention to the issue at halftime.
March
CTA Ad Run and I Heart Organ Donors Video
In preparation for April as National Donate Life Month, DLI supporters came together to help put a fun face to the issue through an advertising and video campaign.
April
DLI participated in the first national “Flags Across America” campaign where hospitals across the state flew Donate Life flags in support of donors that given the gift of life.
Secretary of State Jesse White launched his annual television and radio commercial supporting the issue and encouraging registrations.
May
Donate Life Hollywood Film Festival
DLI was informed of a second place finish in the “online shorts” category for a video profiling Steve Ferkau.
Loyola Video Calls Attention to Issue on Campus
Students at Loyola University took it upon themselves to put together a great video showing support for the issue.
June
DLI volunteers battled the rain and headed out to Soldier Field to help register concert attendees as donors.
Transplant Community Gets Active Online
We compiled a resource guide to make it easy for users to find where their states are hanging out online to help support the issue on a local level.
July
White Sox announcer and kidney recipient Ed Farmer helped DLI with this message of support on the issue.
August
DLI advocate and heart transplant recipient Melissa Simon helped us spread the word by participating in this profile video to share her personal story.
Several IL residents headed off to Australia to participate in the World Transplant Games!
September
More than 700 donor family members joined together to honor loved ones who have given the gift of life.
A local Naperville teen took on a huge project to help call attention to the issue.
October
October found us trailing the progress of transplant patient (now recipient) Bill Coon as he waited for his lifesaving transplants.
Chicago Bears Player Lends Support
Bears’ cornerback Charles Tillman helped with a PSA to share his daughter’s transplant story.
November
Over 1,000 students registered as donors as part of the 2009 Donate Life Illinois Campus Challenge!
2010 Float Rider Shares Insight
DLI advocate and donor family member Anne Gulotta shared insight as she prepared for the Ride of Her Life.
December
Rose Parade Floragraphs Decorated
Anne Gulotta and the Chana family got together for a special event to decorate floragraphs to honor their loved ones on the 2010 Rose Parade float.
DLI announces that more than 5 million Illinois residents have registered as donors!
Special thanks to all of our readers and supporters! Stay tuned for an exciting 2010 as we’ve got some big things in store!
Save travels and Happy Holidays!
-Scott
You totally ROCK, Scott & company… I think that one of the neatest accomplishments, that all of you had a LOT to do with, is at the end, in December — getting 5 million registered as organ donors…
I waited an awful long time for my beautiful lungs, but my recovery and life after has been amazing — and breathing like I do now still blows my mind and it’s been almost 10 years… And through this journey, I’ve become friends with so many donor families, recipients and people waiting… Now, I have too many friends who are waiting for a gift like I’ve received, and it hurts to watch them struggle and worry as they wait like I did… There is no question in my mind — all of you have done something to shorten their wait… Thanks.
Love, Steve
Thanks much Steve, appreciate it. Hoping you and the fine lady had a great XMas and NYE plans.