April 18th will be Gift of Hope Night at the Allstate Arena when the Wolves take on Milwaukee at 7pm. The mission of Gift of Hope is simple: to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation. They did so by providing a record 1,024 lifesaving organs for transplant in 2014, and provided life-enhancing tissue for more than 50,000 people.
Fans will have the opportunity to learn more about Gift of Hope, and sign up to be an organ and tissue donor by visiting the Gift of Hope display area on the concourse during the game. Gift of Hope will be distributing drawstring backpacks to fans at their display as well as wristbands to guests as they enter the arena.
“We’re pleased to partner with the Chicago Wolves and share the life-changing benefits of organ and tissue donation which extends beyond recipients to families who affirm donation for their loved one,” said Kevin Cmunt, president and CEO, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network. “Gift of Hope provided a record number or organs and tissue for transplant in 2014, but thousands of Illinoisans are waiting for an organ transplant and hundreds will die this year. In addition to registering to be an organ and tissue donor, share your decision with your loved ones.”
Representatives from three families who have been impacted by organ and tissue donation will be participating in special intermission activity at the game. Pictures of fans visiting the Gift of Hope display will be shown on the Allstate Arena Jumbotron during another intermission break.
“The opportunity to create a partnership where our fans and organization truly can make a difference in people’s lives is both unique and exciting,” said Wolves president of business operations Mike Gordon. “With Gift of Hope, our desire is to increase awareness and their database to give Chicagoans the best chance to find organ and tissue matches. Our fan base is both loyal and generous and we look forward to creating positive outcomes together.”
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is a not-for-profit organ procurement organization entrusted by the nation’s healthcare system with coordinating organ and tissue donation and providing donor family services and public education in Illinois and northwest Indiana. Since 1987, it has coordinated donations that have saved the lives of more than 20,000 organ transplant recipients and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of tissue transplant recipients. Hope and organ and tissue donation, visit GiftofHope.org.
The four-time champion Chicago Wolves finish the regular season this weekend before launching their bid for the 2015 Calder Cup next week. To find the best specials on playoff tickets, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
