News from Illinois Wesleyan

April 17, 2002
CONTACT: Jeff Hanna

Secretary of State Jesse White Visits IWU Thursday
To Promote "Life Goes On" Program

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Wesleyan University will host Secretary of State Jesse White’s visit to Bloomington/Normal on Thursday(April 25) to promote the "Life Goes On" organ and tissue donor awareness program.

White will appear at a noon reception at the IWU Memorial Student Center where he will announce winners in the "Life Goes On" in McLean County Essay contest. The contest, which was for all high school students in McLean County, is part of the program to educate the public and increase awareness of organ and tissue donation.

In addition to White, Thursday’s event will include presentations by Janice Earl, a double lung recipient, and Bloomington Mayor Judy Markowitz.

Although Illinois has the largest donor registry in the nation with more than five million people, the need still outweighs the number of available organs. Approximately 5,000 people are on waiting lists for organ and tissue donation in the state. Last year, approximately 400 people in Illinois died while awaiting organ transplants.

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