Donate Life Illinois – Organ & Tissue Donation

We’ll feature new Illinois Donor Diaries entries throughout the campaign to give you an inside perspective and first-person perspective on the issue. Check back often!

If you are a transplant patient, recipient, donor family, want to share your personal tie to the issue or just tell us why being a registered donor is important to you, please send us a message!

03/30/08, Submitted by Lauren D., Chicago, IL

Lauren

I was diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of 15 and would subsequently receive two kidney transplants over the next year. My first kidney was from my dad and my second kidney was from a deceased donor to whom I am forever grateful.

I was only on dialysis for seven months, and during that time I had relatively few problems with hemodialysis. Sure there were some complications, but overall my body was able to handle it.

One of the most distressing things about being on dialysis was not my own situation, but rather, seeing all of the other people who were not doing so well on dialysis. I was particularly fond of one very sweet old man who sat next to me during the same times that I did. Due to the fact that he had suffered a stroke, he was only able to speak a few words and phrases. He always greeted me with, “How are you?” and gave me a big smile when I walked in.

Unfortunately, I watched my friend decline over the months, and while I was receiving my kidney transplant, he passed away. He was in dire need of the gift of life. I was devastated, and it was only then that it really hit me – people die every day waiting for life-saving organ transplants.

People say that life isn’t fair, but to me that is just an excuse. We can do nothing or we can act and we can make a difference. We must encourage organ donor awareness and registration so that some day the gift of life will be available to all who are in need. Register to be an organ donor today!

-Lauren D.
Chicago, Ill.

Maybe you’re a current transplant patient, a recipient, or a donor family member. You might be the friend of a donor or recipient. Or perhaps you just want to show support for the cause and tell us why you registered to be a donor.

Please help us spread the word on why it’s important
to register!

Email us your story using the following guidelines:

Please limit your story to 250 words
(2-3 regular size paragraphs).
Focus on why you are a registered organ/tissue donor and why others should also register.
Check for spelling and grammar before submission.
Include your full name, age, city or town of residence with submission.
Include the following statement in your message: I consent for Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network to publish this information on its World Wide Web Internet site.

Please note that we may need to edit your story due to space restrictions. We may not be able to post your story immediately, but keep checking back—we’re constantly updating the site!