NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH-ILLINOIS-CONDELL RECOGNIZED FOR EFFORTS IN ORGAN, TISSUE DONATION

For the second year in a row, Advocate Condell Medical Center has been recognized for its leadership and dedication to organ and tissue donation.

Secretary of State Jesse White on Friday presented the nursing staff with the award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"I'm privileged to serve as nursing lead," said Mary Hillard, who received the award on behalf of the staff. "All our staff experience is astounding."

The hospital's ICU manager, Raeann Fuller, was also recognized for her selection in February to colead the Midwestern region team for transplant. Fuller took the voluntary position to work on the organ transplant process and develop education programs with the state and federal governments.

"I look at organ donation as turning a tragic situation into a positive situation," said Fuller, an organ tissue recipient.

The Libertyville hospital raises an honorary flag every time an organ donation occurs, Fuller said. It has facilitated more than 60 organ donations since 2005.

White also urged Illinois residents to register to become an organ donor. Illinois is the leading state for registered donors, he said, but there are more than 5,000 patients in Illinois waiting for organs.

Because of Illinois' first person consent organ donor registration, grieving families no longer deal with decisions about organ donation.

"It's comforting when an individual has made that decision because the family knows they are doing the right thing," Fuller said.

Residents can register to become an organ donor online at lifegoeson.com or by calling (800) 210-2106.