Pekin Hospital Honored for Commitment to Organ Donation
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: May 15, 2012
PEKIN--Each year 300 people in Illinois die waiting for an organ transplant.
But Tuesday, Secretary of State Jesse White honored Pekin hospital for its commitment to helping patients in need get a second chance at life.
White unveiled a plaque and tree in honor of hospitals donor families and recipients.
Since the 1980's the facility has completed nearly 100 transplant surgeries.
White says it's important for all adults to become organ donors.
Turns out a long term give life advocate and member of white's staff has found herself in need of a kidney.
For years Vikki Tulcus she says her job focused on organ donation.
Now her life depends on it.
"I never thought I would be waiting for a kidney,' said Tulcus. "It could be yourself. It could be someone that you love and you want to know that if you need an organ or tissue it's going to be there."
To become an organ donor log onto LifeGoesOn.com or call the Illinois Secretary of State Organ/Tissue Donor Program at 1-800-210-2106.
But Tuesday, Secretary of State Jesse White honored Pekin hospital for its commitment to helping patients in need get a second chance at life.
White unveiled a plaque and tree in honor of hospitals donor families and recipients.
Since the 1980's the facility has completed nearly 100 transplant surgeries.
White says it's important for all adults to become organ donors.
Turns out a long term give life advocate and member of white's staff has found herself in need of a kidney.
For years Vikki Tulcus she says her job focused on organ donation.
Now her life depends on it.
"I never thought I would be waiting for a kidney,' said Tulcus. "It could be yourself. It could be someone that you love and you want to know that if you need an organ or tissue it's going to be there."
To become an organ donor log onto LifeGoesOn.com or call the Illinois Secretary of State Organ/Tissue Donor Program at 1-800-210-2106.
