The Gift of Hope Community Foundation 5K Run, Walk & Roll will be held on September 29th at Harper College in Palatine.
Courtesy of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
More than 500 people are expected to attend the Gift of Hope Community Foundation’s inaugural 5K run, walk and roll on September 29 to honor the generosity of organ and tissue donors, support their families and celebrate the lifesaving gift of donation.
Hosted by WGN-TV’s Lourdes Duarte, the walk/march at Harper College in Palatine aims to bring together the organ and tissue donation and transplant community.
“We are so grateful to our community of donor families, transplant recipients and donor advocates who continually advance our mission. We are excited to bring the community together for a day of connection and celebration,” said Audrena Spence, Executive Director of the Gift of Hope Community Foundation.
The 5K run has inspired the families of organ and tissue donors to participate to honor the legacy of their loved ones.
Joy and John Beach lost their son John in a motorcycle accident on the evening of his 22nd birthday. John was known by family and friends as a compassionate and empathetic person and was a registered organ and tissue donor. His generosity saved the lives of more than six people as an organ donor and improved the lives of more than 160 people with his tissue donation.
“We are so excited to put together a team for this 5K race, support Gift of Hope’s ongoing mission and spread the message of hope, peace and love that can come from organ donation,” said Joy and John Beach. “Our team is made up of donor families, friends, relatives and transplant recipients. Two of our son’s organ recipients have also been invited to participate.”
The Gift of Hope Community Foundation supports the mission of the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network to save and improve 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 includes a 5K course, a 1-mile course, a virtual 5K run and a Hope Hop Kids Race for children ages 2-6.
The event will also include the following content:
• An opportunity to honor the legacy of organ and 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 at bit.ly/3VTSXuO
Founded in 2018, the Gift of Hope Community Foundation raises funds to support the mission and programs of the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network to save and improve the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation. For more information about the Foundation, visit giftofhope.org/give.