Last modified: 11 May 2000
The Chicago Chapter of Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc. is an independent nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life of transplant recipients, candidates, family members and donor families. TRIO Chicago was established to bring TRIO's mission of support, awareness, education and advocacy to those in the greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana areas. For further information or information on how to join TRIO Chicago, please phone, write fax or e-mail to us at the above address.
What is TRIO?
TRIO is an organization of individuals, like you and me, committed to improving the quality of life of transplant recipients, candidates, their families and the families of organ and tissue donors. TRIO serves its members in the areas of:
Awareness - Promoting organ and tissue donation as an important social responsibility. Developing and supporting mechanisms to improve the availability of organs and tissues on an equitable basis to meet the needs of transplant candidates.
Support - Providing support to transplant recipients, candidates, their families and donor family members to help alleviate the stresses and problems associated with the transplantation process.
Education - Providing transplant recipients, candidates, their families and donor family members with current information on developments in organ and tissue donation, transplantation, medications, social issues and finances, as well as information on initiatives in the field of transplantation by federal, state and local governmental bodies.
Advocacy - Making known to federal, state and local governmental bodies the concerns and needs that affect the welfare of transplant recipients, candidates their families and donor family members. Effectively communication their views to the general public on issues in the field of transplantation and organ and tissue donation.
What is TRIO Chicago?
TRIO Chicago is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation operating as a Chartered Chapter of TRIO International. We will operate under the rules and by-laws of TRIO International, but maintain an independent approach to the overall TRIO mission of donor awareness, support, education and advocacy.
TRIO Chicago will meet at a central Chicago location, not yet determined. Monthly, general meetings will include speakers or presentations of interest to members, followed by a business meeting. Additionally, open support sessions will be held regularly. Some of our current plans are: to actively support area donor awareness activities; to implement a candidate/recipient "mentor" program to increase the awareness of transplant candidates; to have a hospital visitation program to support the spirits of ailing members; to allow "satellite" chapters to organize around common goals and interests; and, to develop programs targeted toward minorities, young adults and children.
But, most importantly, TRIO Chicago is you. This is your organization. What are your ideas? What do you need from a support group? Join us and let us know.
Help Wanted - Volunteers
TRIO Chicago needs your help. As a new organization, we have lots of work to do (if we were an old organization, we'd have lots to do, too) and we need volunteers. It's easy. Just tell us what you can do or what you want to do and we'll supply the work - as simple as that!
We need board members, officers, writers, editors, fund raisers, speakers, hospital visitors, drivers, typists, clerks, envelope stuffers and probably anything else you can think of. The pay is great - personal satisfaction. You can't buy that with money.
Give it a shot and give us a call. Let us know what you can do. If you don't have much time, we'll take what you got. If you try it, hate it and want to quit, we'll say thanks for what you've done - no hard feelings. Come on - you've got nothing to lose - 312-922-0142.
About REORGANIZED…
REORGANIZED is the official monthly newsletter of TRIO Chicago. This is the organizing edition and is devoted primarily to introductions and organizing themes. We are planning to start regular publication in February of 1996.
We're planning to report on lots of information we know you can use. We'll keep you up to date on the latest developments in transplants. We'll cover "what's in the news" about transplants, locally, nationally and around the world. We'll have letters, stories, biographies and anecdotes about our members. Of course we will cover chapter news, chapter activities, meetings and events.
We're planning a CyberCorner to cover the latest medical developments on the Internet. We'll do in-depth articles on specific subjects of interest. You'll get facts, numbers, and statistics galore.
But we want REORGANIZED to be for YOU! Tell us what you think. If you want us to write on a topic, let us know. We want this to be both an interesting and useful publication and we need your input if we are to succeed. So give us a call, send a fax, mail a letter, post an e-mail - we're all ears (and livers, and kidneys, and hearts, and ….)
Resource guide
TRIO Chicago is compiling a "Chicago Area Resource Guide for Transplant Patients and Candidates". The guide will be free to all TRIO Chicago members and will also be available (hopefully) at your local transplant centers.
This reference contains a wealth of information and resources useful to transplant patients and candidates, covering pre and post transplant things you need to know and where to find further information. Sample chapters include: Transplant Centers; Education/Information Resources; Pharmacies; Financial Assistance; Support Groups; Reference Material; and On-line Resources.
The guide is scheduled for early 1996 publication. Sign up for TRIO and reserve your copy now.
Membership
TRIO Chicago is a totally volunteer organization. No one makes a dime. TRIO Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, color, creed, religion, sex, income, outgo, height, weight, hair or eye color shoe size or body parts. We love you all.
But we can't love you all for free. Membership in TRIO Chicago is $25 per year per individual, $35 per year for a family (see below if you can't afford it). The membership fee includes an annual subscription to Lifelines, the official TRIO newsletter, and an annual subscription to REORGANIZED, the monthly publication of TRIO Chicago. Ten dollars of your dues (and 10% of all contributions) is sent to TRIO is Washington to pay for expenses of the national organization. After expenses for phone, postage and supplies all other moneys or donations received are used to promote organ donation and transplantation in the Chicagoland area.
TRIO Chicago does not engage in fund raising or promotion for individuals.
Can't afford us now? We know too well about the financial strain surrounding transplantation. We will never deny membership for financial reason. If you want to support TRIO but can't afford it, let us know. We'll waive your membership dues until you can afford them