Jesse White Recognizes National Donor Sabbath Virtually

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, in recognition of National Donor Sabbath, unveiled a new radio Public Service Announcement (PSA), featuring a Joliet father who received five organs through donation. The virtual event commemorating National Donor Sabbath may be viewed at www.LifeGoesOn.com. National Donor Sabbath, held from Nov. 12-14 is an interfaith campaign, aimed at educating religious communities about the importance of organ/tissue donation.
 
"Many people buy into the myth that their religion does not support organ donation. However, most religions honor and respect organ donation as an act of generosity," said White.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, the majority of major religions support organ and tissue donation, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. 

This year's PSA features Phillip Hanks, a Joliet father of six, who says he is alive because of his faith in God and an organ/tissue donor who generously gave him five different internal organs.
 
"My kids are happy to have their father back and I am going to be a grandfather," Hanks says in the PSA. "I have strong faith. I felt protected by God even after doctors told me that the transplant had a 50/50 chance of being successful." 

The PSA was distributed to approximately 100 radio stations statewide to further heighten awareness about the program. To listen to the PSA, visit www.LifeGoesOn.com.

Currently, almost 107,000 people are waiting for organs nationally. In Illinois, despite a registry of more than 7.2 million, approximately 4,000 people are on the waiting list.

To learn more about organ/tissue donation or to register to become a donor, visit www.LifeGoesOn.com or call the Secretary of State's Organ/Tissue Donor Program at 800-210-2106.