The State of Illinois has reached 7.5 million registrants for the organ/tissue donor registry. Of the more than 12.8 million people living in Illinois, 10,146,583 qualify to become organ/tissue donors.  Of those 75% have registered as organ/tissue donors. In addition, Secretary of State Jesse White says that more than 270,000 16 and 17 year old’s have registered with the program since 2018.  

There are currently 4,000 people statewide who are waiting on the Organ/Tissue Donor Program and 300 die each year waiting for a  transplant. It takes less than a minute to register, and Secretary White would love to see more people register.  He says one person can improve the quality of life for up to 25 people. 

Secretary White has headed the state’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry since 1999.  He has visited hospitals, schools, libraries, driver services facilities as well as other places to promote and register Illinoisans for the donor program. Secretary White’s sister Doris Ivy, received a kidney transplant from an anonymous donor that extended her life for 28 years.

Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry at www.LifegoesOn.com or by calling 1-800-210-2106.