Relive the night: Celebrating health equity advocates
More than 120 guests joined us to honor and celebrate leaders advocating for equitable access to life-saving organ transplants. See who the Illinois Transplant Fund honored and enjoy our photos from the evening!
A Second Chance at Life
For many of us, tomorrow is just another day. We’ll wake up, shower, fix ourselves a nice cup of coffee and start the day. For people who obtain support from the Illinois Transplant Fund, every waking day is a second chance at life – a gift made possible through lifesaving organ transplants they once thought were impossible.
Every time I look at my scars, I am thankful…
Growing up in a small town in Mexico, Marilu struggled to obtain proper resources for her medical needs. As a young adult in the United States, she began to receive treatment but eventually Marilu’s health severely declined. She needed a liver transplant. On April 30, 2020, Marilu received the call from Illinois Transplant Fund (ITF) – a compatible donor appeared. “It is because of the help from ITF that I am alive,” Marilu says.
MARILU, Scars that Gave Life
Saving Lives by Increasing Access to Transplant Care
In Illinois, 16 percent of the adult population with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level are uninsured. This impacts low-income individuals, the working poor and people of color. The Illinois Transplant Fund focuses on increasing access to health insurance for qualified Illinois residents who are listed for organ transplant.
Since its founding in 2015, more than 350 Illinois residents have received a lifesaving organ transplant because of the ITF promise of insurance premium support.
Support the Illinois Transplant Fund
ITF is a not-for-profit organization funded solely through contributions from the general public and interested parties. We want to help as many patients as possible and graciously accept all donations.
