Gift of Hope 5K to highlight organ donation, honor Stevenson high students

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Gift of Hope Community Foundation is set to host its annual 5K Run, Walk & Roll on Sept. 28 at the College of DuPage, bringing together donor families, transplant recipients, health care partners and advocates to celebrate the impact of organ and tissue donation.

The event begins with registration at 8 a.m. followed by the race at 9 a.m. Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will present the Jesse White Leadership Achievement Award to Stevenson High School's Students for Organ Donation Awareness chapter. The group is being recognized for raising more than $15,000 this year to support the Gift of Hope Community Foundation.

Organizers say the gathering is both a celebration and a call to action. More than 100,000 people nationwide are waiting for life-saving transplants, including more than 4,000 in Illinois.

The event will feature hundreds of participants running, walking and rolling to honor donors and recipients, with many donor families crossing the finish line alongside the people whose lives were saved by their loved ones.

For more information, visit giftofhope.org.