National Donate Life Month aims to encourage people to sign up as organ and tissue donors

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An emotional event was held Thursday at the Thompson Center to encourage people to become organ and tissue donors.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joined a group of organ recipients and organ donor families as they shared the stories of their loved ones.

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Katie McKay Phillips, of McHenry, spoke about her brother Andrew. He was declared brain dead in 2009 at the age of 22 after a pool accident. He registered to be a donor when he got his driver's license and his organs saved lives.

April is National Donate Life Month. You can register to be an organ donor by going to LifeGoesOn.com.