The mission of GIVELIVE! is to serve as a caring resource to individuals and families considering live donation and to promote public awareness of live donation through existing organ transplant organizations.

Participants in GIVELIVE! include kidney, bone marrow, liver, lung, and pancreas live donors. To date, live donors from all over the United States are volunteering to share their experiences with former and recovering donors, as well as those who are just beginning to contemplate live donation. We have already so enjoyed knowing someone else who gave the gift of life!

As of this date, we are establishing relationships with the Chicago transplant centers through transplant coordinators and social workers. Over time, contact with other transplant centers will be made by live donors in those regions.

Currently, we are working with the National Kidney Foundation, TRIO (Transplant Recipients International Organization), the Coalition on Donation, Illinois Secretary of State DonorAwareness Program and Transweb to set up opportunities to speak out in favor of live donation and to serve as an information resource to these organizations for public awareness campaigns.

In addition, we have initiated a GIVELIVE! media campaign to promote awareness of live donation. The Chicago Tribune, Today's Chicago Woman, WTTW Public Television, WBEZ Public Radio, CBS Television and the Lerner Newspapers intend to address live donation in upcoming publications or broadcasts.

We also are preparing materials for referencing in TransWeb, including articles about the reasons given why and why not to give, as well as medical, family, employment, and insurance issues raised when considering live donation.

GIVELIVE! is an informal network of donors, connected by the profound experience of having given the gift of life!

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact us!

GIVELIVE! was established by Diane Legge Kemp on February 1, 1996 when she gave a kidney to her mother. Named on that same date as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Chicago, Diane pledged to use her influence to promote live donation for the benefit of waiting organ recipients in the United States.

March 7,1996

164 Fairbank Road
Riverside IL 60546
708.447.4994 phone\fax

 

Last modified: 11 May 2000