LifeSource Proud to Support Local Groups Raising Awareness on the Importance of Organ Donation

On April 21, 438 living donors, their families and friends gathered in Chicago's Millennium Park with the goal of setting a new Guinness World Record for most living donors in one location at one time. Thirty-nine states, as well as Canada and India, were represented at the Donor Rally in celebration of living donors and National Donate Life Month.

Coordinating the rally was Transplant Village, an inspiring nonprofit group comprised of organ recipients, donors, and their families who share a mission to support the future of organ transplantation at Chicago's Northwestern Medicine while connecting and supporting the transplant community. Transplant Village will learn of a final decision from Guiness by the end of the summer.

Also participating at the Millennium Park rally was Naperville-based Organ Transplant Support, a nonprofit which provides education, support and resources for transplant families, while also promoting organ and tissue donor awareness. The group will host an annual tree planting ceremony at Naper Settlement on April 29 in honor of transplant recipients who have received the gift of life by way of organ donation.

Providing support to both groups is LifeSource, one of the area's largest suppliers of blood products to hospitals throughout the region. Organ transplant recipients may require a significant amount of blood during surgery. LifeSource is proud to partner with Transplant Village and Organ Transplant Support to raise awareness about the importance of both blood and organ donation.

"Needless to say, organ transplants and blood donations go hand in hand," says Eva Quinley, LifeSource regional director. "There remains no substitute for blood, so we continue to rely on the kindness of volunteer donors to ensure an adequate supply of blood is kept on the shelves and is available for these life saving-and live giving-transplant surgeries."

A liver recipient needs between six to 10 units of red blood cells, 20 units of plasma and 10 units of platelets during the transplant procedure. A heart recipient can require up to six units of red blood cells during the transplant procedure.

LifeSource operates 17 Chicago and suburban community donor centers and hosts daily mobile blood drives throughout northern Illinois. The blood donation process takes about an hour and is both safe and comfortable. Appointments are suggested but walk-ins are always welcome. Donors must be at least 18 years old (16 and 17 years of age with parental consent).

In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification. Proper ID is required to donate blood. A LifeSource or military ID, driver's license or employee badge with a picture and full name are all approved forms of ID. A birth certificate along with a picture ID that includes the donor's full name will also be accepted.

For more information including donor center locations, additional donor eligibility and qualifications, or to schedule an appointment, visit LifeSource.org or call (877) 543-3768.

For more information about Transplant Village, visit https://transplantvillage.org/.

For more information on Organ Transplant Support, visit www.organtransplantsupport.org