Donate Life Illinois – Organ Donation News – I am. Are you?

I am a registered organ & tissue donor.
Are you?

Donate Life Illinois is a coalition of agencies responsible for organ, tissue, eye, blood and marrow donation, as well as donor education and registration in Illinois. It is one of 45 regional coalitions and 50 national businesses or associations making up Donate Life America, a not-for-profit alliance that serves as a national voice and inspires all people to save and enhance lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.

To learn more about Donate Life Illinois and register to become a lifesaving organ & tissue donor in Illinois, please visit www.DonateLifeIllinois.org.

*Disclosure: The blog manager, Scott Meis, is an employee of Carolyn Grisko & Associates Inc. and serves as Donate Life Illinois’ Campaign Manager on behalf of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network.

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CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Joslyn Osten – Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network

Joslyn is the Sr. Public Education Coordinator at Gift of Hope – a federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) that coordinates organ and tissue donation and services to families of donors in the northern Illinois and northwest Indiana. As one of 58 organ procurement organizations that make up the nation’s organ donation system, Gift of Hope works with 183 hospitals and serves 11.7 million residents in its donation service area.

In her role at Gift of Hope and with Donate Life Illinois, Joslyn manages public education in the workplace, with young professionals and college students in Illinois. In her personal time, Joslyn enjoys travel, restoration projects, civics and cultural events.

Mary Schlereth – Illinois Eye-Bank

After losing her boyfriend Craig (who became a donor), and searching for some type of healing and understanding, Mary began volunteering for Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and participated as a Donor Family Member with Team Illinois U.S. Transplant Games.

Since Craig’s passing, many parts of her life have changed. Most notably, Mary has traded in her chalk and eraser as a teacher to be a part of the organ donation and transplantation community.  Mary worked for almost two years at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois coordinating transplant patient education programs and now works as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Illinois Eye-Bank. One of the most positive experiences for Mary has been participating as a Donor Family Member of Team Illinois in the 2004, 2006, & 2008 U.S. Transplant Games.  She is currently one of Team Managers for Team Illinois and will provide progress updates as the Team prepares for the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games in Madison, Wisconsin!

Morgan D’ Organ – Donate Life Illinois Mascot

Some assume he’s a giant piece of bubble gum. Others mistake him for a pork chop but alas, ole Morgan is Donate Life Illinois’ trusty mascot (yes, he’s a liver).

Whether starring in a video, recruiting Facebook fans or interacting with supporters at registration events – Morgan is one busy mascot. So busy in fact that we even let him post about his activities once in awhile.

BLOG MANAGER

Scott Meis – Donate Life Illinois Campaign Manager

Having worked on behalf of Gift of Hope on donor registration outreach since April 2006, Scott currently manages Donate Life Illinois’ campaign outreach initiatives. When he’s not blogging here or shooting the latest video spot for Morgan D’ Organ, you’ll find him elsewhere online connecting with patients, donor families and recipients.