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DuPage County proclaims April as Donate Life Month; Gift of Hope urges organ-donation registration
Summary
The DuPage County Board proclaimed April as National Donate Life Month, and a Gift of Hope representative urged residents to register as organ, tissue and eye donors, noting one donor can save or help many recipients.
DuPage County Board Chair Deborah A. Conroy read a proclamation on March 25 declaring April as National Donate Life Month and invited Janet Dominguez of Gift of Hope to speak about organ and tissue donation.
The proclamation noted more than 100,000 Americans are on the national organ transplant waiting list, with 4,700 of them in Illinois, and that more than 300 people die each year waiting for a transplant in the state. Janet Dominguez, manager of community outreach and government affairs for Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donation, told the board that one donor can save the lives of up to eight people and enhance the lives of up to 25 through tissue donation. She urged residents to discuss their wishes with family and to register.
Chair Conroy also shared personal context: she described being a living kidney donor and encouraged others to learn about organ and tissue donation.
Why it matters
Board members said the proclamation raises public awareness about the need for donors and encourages registration. Gift of Hope recommended that community members discuss donation wishes with loved ones so families can make informed decisions if needed.
Provenance
The proclamation was read aloud and a Gift of Hope representative addressed the board with statistics and an appeal to register as donors.
