Pioneering Organ Donation Program Leads To Award For Lake County Coroner's Office

WAUKEGAN, IL — Thirty-five dozen people have become organ and tissue donors, contributing to the health of hundreds of people, since a new collaboration began last year between the Lake County Coroner's Office and Gift of Hope, the nonprofit that coordinates donations in Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

After pioneering a new electronic interface that allows the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network to more efficiently access electronic information about the recently deceased, the coroner's office was recognized with a Life Changer Award from Gift of Hope.

The change allows for Gift of Hope to contact families to coordinate donations when that is what the donor requested before their death. Now, when a coroner's deputy enters data about the dead person into the new electronic portal, the nonprofit can start the organ and tissue screening process right away.

In 2023, the team made 148 referrals with the new system, leading to discussions with 84 families in 24 successful donations. As of May 30 of this year, there have been another 60 referrals leading to 11 more tissue donors.

"The Lake County Coroner's Office is honored to receive the 2024 Life Changer Award for Outstanding Teams from Gift of Hope," Coroner Jennifer Banek said in a statement. "This recognition reflects our team's dedication and aligns with our shared vision to make a meaningful impact through organ and tissue donation."

In 2023, Itasca-based Gift of Hope facilitated 1,424 life-saving organ transplants from 509 donors, contributing to a national record of more than 46,000 transplants reported by the United Network for Organ Sharing.

More than 2,000 tissue donors provided essential materials for patients with severe burns, torn ligaments, circulatory conditions, and those requiring bone grafts.

Anyone interested in becoming an organ donor can join the new organ and tissue donor consent registry managed by the Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias's office.

"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,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “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.”