Gift of Hope Community Foundation hosts 5K Sept. 29 to bring the donation and transplantation community together
More than 500 people are expected for the Gift of Hope Community Foundation Inaugural 5K Run, Walk & Roll on Sept. 29, to honor the generosity of organ and tissue donors, support their families and celebrate the life-saving gift of donation.
Emceed by WGN-TV’s Lourdes Duarte, the run/walk at Harper College in Palatine aims to bring together the organ and tissue donation and transplantation community.
“We are so grateful for our community of donor families, transplant recipients and donation advocates who continuously help drive our mission forward. We are excited to bring the community together for a day of connection and celebration,” said Audrena Spence, executive director, Gift of Hope Community Foundation.
The 5K has inspired families of organ and tissue donors to participate as a way of honoring their loved ones’ legacy.
Joy and John Beach lost their son John in a motorcycle accident on the evening of his 22nd birthday. Known as compassionate and empathetic by family and friends, John was a registered organ and tissue donor. His generosity saved the lives of more than six people as an organ donor and enhanced more than 160 lives with his gift of tissue donation.
“We are so happy to put a team together for this 5K event, support Gift of Hope’s continuing mission, and spread the word of the hope, peace and love that can arise from organ donation,” said Joy and John Beach. “Our team will be made up of donor families, friends, relatives and transplant recipients. Two of our son’s organ recipients have been invited to attend as well.”
The Gift of Hope Community Foundation supports the mission of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation. The Foundation raises funds to support Gift of Hope programs focused on public education, research and development and support for donor families throughout Illinois and northwest Indiana.
The 5K Run, Walk & Roll will feature a 5K course, a one-mile course, a virtual 5K and a Hope Hop Kids Race for those ages 2 to 6.
The event will also feature:
• An opportunity to honor the legacies of organ & tissue donors at a Circle of Life Ribbon Wall.
• A pin exchange for donor families, transplant recipients and donation advocates.
• Oversized lawn games, face-painting, balloon animals and fun for the whole family.
Learn more about the 5K Run, Walk & Roll and register for the event by visiting bit.ly/3VTSXuO
Established in 2018, the Gift of Hope Community Foundation raises funds to support Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network’s mission and programs, to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation. Learn more about the Foundation at giftofhope.org/give.