Transplant Life Illinois (TLI), formerly known as Team Illinois, formed in 1990 as a ragtag group of transplant recipient athletes with the sole purpose of participating in the national Donate Life Transplant Games of America. Over the years TLI has grown into an organization that brings together transplant recipients, living donors, hero donor families and supporters, including medical professionals, to advocate for organ, tissue, cornea, bone marrow and blood donations.
TLI currently has more than 400 members around the state of Illinois. In 2011 we filed for 501c3 status to formalize our charitable organization and focus on advocating for organ and tissue donation as well as on representing at the Transplant Games of America.
For members of TLI, the Transplant Games serve as a way to raise awareness, stay healthy, build camaraderie, and honor the donors and their families who selflessly made the decision to give the gift of life. The Transplant Games takes place very two years in a new location throughout North America. The 2024 Transplant Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, July 5-10, 2024.
We need more registered organ, eye and tissue donors!
Here are some facts about organ donation:
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There are more than 113,000 patients in the U.S. awaiting transplantation.
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More than 4,000 of them are registered in the state of Illinois.
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Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national transplant waiting list.
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An average of 20 people die each day while waiting.
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One donor can save or enhance the lives of up to 25 lives.
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It takes minutes to sign up as an organ donor.
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Time is running out.
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Register today #GiveWithYourHeart!
