Above / To heighten awareness about the eligibility of teenagers 16 and older to register to become organ donors, Matthew Zuleg and Life Goes On Regional Coordinator Margaret Pearson were on hand when Councilwoman Patty Gustin read a Mayor’s Proclamation, recognizing April 17, 2018, to be Kyle Zuleg Foundation Day.
April is National Donate Life Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, celebrating and remembering all individuals that have saved lives through the gift of eye, tissue or organ donation.
During the City Council meeting on April 17, Councilwoman Patty Gustin read a Mayor’s Proclamation recognizing that day as Kyle Zuleg Foundation Day. The nonprofit foundation was started seven years ago after a tragic accident on Oct. 19, 2010, took the life of Kyle Zuleg, a 16-year-old Neuqua Valley High School student who had aspired to become a sports broadcaster. Young Zuleg gave the gift of life to five individuals through the donation of seven organs.
Since the creation of the foundation by Kyle’s parents, Jill and Matthew Zuleg, more than $43,000 in scholarship money has been given to Naperville students in School Districts 203 and 204 pursuing a media communications/journalism degree. In addition, hundreds of monogrammed “Forever in Our Hearts” blankets have been presented as gifts of hope, warmth, comfort and support to organ donor families in Illinois and Northwest Indiana hospitals who made the decision to give the gift of life.
Councilwoman Gustin also introduced Margaret Pearson, a regional coordinator from Life Goes On. According to Pearson, since Jan. 1, 2018, a new law allows 16- and 17-year-olds to register to become organ/tissue donors. All during National Donate Life Month, Pearson has been speaking throughout the state to promote the new law.
She joins Secretary of State Jesse White, mindful that teenagers are making a difference by helping others when they sign up to become organ/tissue donors. So far this year, more than 11,500 young people have registered. Currently, there are more than 6.4 million people registered to become organ/tissue donors in Illinois, she said. However, approximately 4,700 people are on the waiting list in need of eye, tissue and organ transplants.
As the month of April nears the end, advocates encourage all individuals to register as organ, eye and tissue donors, no matter what time of year. A OTS Tree Planting Ceremony and Dedication is planned at 1PM on Sun., April 29, near the Meeting House at Naper Settlement. Gustin said she planned to attend the special way for transplant recipients to honor organ donors for the gift of life. And organizations will continue to work together statewide in an effort to promote organ/tissue donor awareness and hosting donor registration drives.
How to register
Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry at LifeGoesOn.com, 800-210-2106 or by visiting the Secretary of State Driver Services facility, located in Hobson West at 931 W. 75th St., Ste. 161.
Kyle Shines On
For more information about the Kyle Zuleg Foundation, its programs and how Kyle “Shines On” through fundraising and the gift of life, visit www.kyleshineson.org.
