Lake County Gazette

The Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Network has awarded the Lake County Coroner's Office with the 2024 Life Changer Award for Outstanding Teams, recognizing its efforts to make an impact on organ and tissue donation.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart and the entire board for recognizing the collaborative efforts between the Lake County Coroner’s Office and Gift of Hope, which resulted in 24 organ and tissue donors who were able to subsequently help hundreds of recipients," said Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek in a news release. "The Lake County Coroner's Office is honored to receive the 2024 Life Changer Award for Outstanding Teams from Gift of Hope. This recognition reflects our team's dedication and aligns with our shared vision to make a meaningful impact through organ and tissue donation."

According to a Lake County news release, the coroner's office and Gift of Hope expanded their collaboration through an initiative that allows Gift of Hope to access electronic information related to deceased individuals more efficiently. This change enables Gift of Hope to connect with families and coordinate tissue and organ donations when it is the intention of the loved one or their next of kin.

In 2023, 148 referrals were made by the team, leading to 84 family discussions and 24 successful donors. These 24 tissue donors contributed to the healing or improvement of more than 600 lives. As of the end of May, they have referred 60 cases, resulting in 11 tissue donors. 

"This award reflects the commitment and dedication invested by Coroner Jennifer Banek and her team in collaborating with Gift of Hope that has increased organ and tissue donation, ultimately saving lives of those in desperate need," Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart said. "Though the loss of a loved one is incredibly tragic, the gift of organ and tissue donation can bring hope for a normal life to so many."

The Lake County Coroner's Office was nominated for the award earlier this year by the Gift of Hope Community Foundation.

To become an organ and tissue donor, join Illinois' new organ and tissue donor consent registry. This is a confidential registry managed by Illinois Secretary of State Alex Giannoulias' Office. To register and review the donation process, go to giftofhope.org, and click on "join the registry."