The Call She Will Never Forget
April 24th, 2019. 10:20 at night. For Melissa Nelson, everything changed in an instant.
This April, during Donate Life Month, we are proud to share her story. It is one that reminds us why both organ donation and blood donation matter more than most people realize.
The Lieutenant Governor Gives Back
She came to tour the facility. She left having saved lives.
Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer stopped by our headquarters this week for a behind the scenes look at how we operate, and when the tour was over, she rolled up her sleeve and donated blood herself.
It is one thing to support a mission. It is another to show up for it personally. Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Cournoyer, for doing both.
Small Town, Big Heart
A town of 300 people and their neighbors just showed up with 120 units of blood.
The Kenney Fire Department hosted their annual Good Friday Blood Drive, and Kenney along with the surrounding rural communities answered in a big way. With 110 sign-ups and a goal of 115 units, donors blew past expectations, collecting 120 units total between whole blood and double red donations.
That is the Heroes for Life spirit in action. First responders know better than anyone that the blood already on the shelf is what saves lives in an emergency. These communities make sure those shelves stay full.
Donate Life Events
This month, we joined our partners at three separate events across our region to celebrate Donate Life Month.
In Springfield, we joined the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network and the Sangamon County Coroner's Office for a Donate Life Month Kickoff event. In Peoria, we stood alongside community partners at Carle Methodist Hospital to raise the Gift of Hope flag, a powerful symbol of lives saved and families comforted. We also joined Gift of Hope for a Donate Life Month event in Peoria, where Harry Wilkins (CEO, Gift of Hope) was in attendance.
Organ donation and blood donation go hand in hand. Together, they give patients a fighting chance.
Serving People
Yesterday, the Illinois State Capitol opened its doors for something a little different.
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton hosted her annual blood drive at the Illinois State Capitol Visitor's Center in Springfield, bringing state government and the lifesaving power of blood donation together under one roof.
It is a reminder that advocacy for this mission reaches all the way to the top. When leaders show up for blood donation, communities follow.