Naperville joins Taylor’s Gift’s crusade to promote organ donation
No one goes on vacation expecting to end up at the hospital.
No one packs their skis anticipating that before coming home, they’ll be asked to donate their daughter’s organs.
But everyone who agrees to that request hopes the donation can help as many people as Taylor Storch is helping.
Taylor was 13 when she died from a skiing accident on a family vacation just more than a year ago. Her liver, kidneys, pancreas and corneas were transplanted to waiting recipients, and her heart now beats in a young mother as she raises her family.
But that, her family decided, was just a start.
Within weeks after Taylor’s death, the family launched Taylor’s Gift Foundation and dedicated themselves to helping hundreds — thousands — of people who need lifesaving organ and tissue transplants.
Through fundraisers and participating in community events, the foundation aims to increase awareness of the need for organ donation and urge people to register as donors. Already, the foundation’s efforts have made a difference in their home state of Texas, which has seen a 125 percent increase in registered organ donors in the last year, said Todd Storch, Taylor’s father and the founder and president of Taylor’s Gift.
Now the foundation is expanding beyond the Lone Star State to bring its message to Naperville, where the family has friends.
In A Night of Taylor’s Gift, guests will hear from Storch about his family’s experience and the foundation’s efforts. Jarret Payton will represent the Walter Payton Foundation, which shares the mission of Taylor’s Gift, and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will speak about the importance of donations and the state’s registry program. The foundation also will unveil its first public service announcement.
But beyond all the speakers, the most moving evidence of the benefits of organ donation will be the recipients who plan to attend — among them, the mother who carries Taylor’s heart.
Storch tells us more about Taylor’s Gift Foundation.
Q. What is your organization’s mission?
A. To increase organ donation to regift life, renew health and restore families.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. Through our events, speaking engagements, grass-roots efforts and leveraging technology.
Q. Whom do you serve?
A. We are making an impact across the United States.
Q. When and why did the organization start? How has it grown?
A. After the death of our oldest daughter, Taylor, on March 15, 2010.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. In Texas alone, certified organ donation registrations are up more than 125 percent in one year. Taylor and our foundation’s efforts are helping thousands across the U.S. understand the importance of organ donation.
Q. What challenges does the foundation currently face?
A. People believe that we are a massive organization and therefore don’t need help with fundraising. However, I am the only full-time person on staff. My wife, Tara, handles the merchandise and we have lots of passionate and wonderful volunteers!
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about Taylor’s Gift?
A. We are blessed with amazing volunteers and opportunities. Our mission is to help people understand how they can be a hero to so many. Not only are we wanting people to become organ donors, but very soon we will be rolling out how our foundation will be a resource for those families who have lost children suddenly.
Q. How can readers get involved? A. Check out taylorsgift.org, facebook.com/taylorsgift, twitter.com/taylorsgift or e-mail us at getinvolved@taylorsgift.org.
If you go
What: A Night of Taylors Gift
Why: The event benefits the Taylors Gift Foundation, which promotes organ donation
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16
Where: Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville
Cost: $75
Details: Four-course meal, open bar; presentations from founder Todd Storch, Walter Paytons son Jarret and Secretary of State Jesse White; unveiling of foundations first public service announcement
Tickets: nsuchevits @comcast.net
Info: (972) 567-8096 or taylorsgift.org