FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Awards recognize compassionate service, outstanding teamwork, and lived advocacy that saves and heals lives
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Oct. 28, 2025) — The Gift of Hope Community Foundation celebrated leaders who help turn awareness into action at its inaugural Light It Up Purple fundraiser on Oct. 28. The Community Foundation announced three awards that highlight service, partnership, and lived advocacy in support of organ and tissue donation.
Established in 2018, the Gift of Hope Community Foundation raises funds to support Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network’s (Gift of Hope) mission to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation.
The 2025 Light It Up Purple honorees are:
- Award for Compassionate Service — Ed Curtis
The former Memorial Health CEO was recognized for a five-decade career advancing healthcare across central Illinois and for steadfast partnership with Gift of Hope that championed access to care, collaboration, and innovation to strengthen the relationships that make organ and tissue donation possible. - Life Changer Award for Outstanding Teams — Sangamon County Coroner’s Office, led by Jim Allmon
Allmon, a lifelong resident of Sangamon County, embodies the very best of public service. His office approaches all cases with professionalism and care to ensure each opportunity for organ and tissue donation is treated with dignity. - Passionate People Award — Brian Wilham
After the death of their son Zach at the age of 27, the Wilham family continue to share their family story to inspire communities members to register as organ and tissue donors. This award recognizes their extraordinary strength and ongoing advocacy following Zach’s decision to be a donor, a choice that saved five lives.
“Tonight’s honorees show us how hope moves from a family’s courageous ‘yes,’ to skilled teams at every step, to leaders who build trust community by community,” said Andrea Spence, Executive Director of the Gift of Hope Community Foundation. “Their compassion and commitment turn knowledge into action, and action into second chances.”
The evening’s program featured the stories of donor families, transplant recipients, and partners whose teamwork and empathy culminates in collaboration across hospitals, transplant centers, public agencies, volunteers and supporters to save more lives through organ and tissue donation.
About Gift of Hope Community Foundation:
Established in 2018, the Gift of Hope Community Foundation raises funds to support Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network’s mission and programs, to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation. Learn more about the Foundation at giftofhope.org/give.
About Gift of Hope
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is the federally designated nonprofit that coordinates organ and tissue donation and educates the public in Illinois and northwest Indiana. Since 1986, Gift of Hope has helped save the lives of more than 29,000 organ transplant recipients and enhanced hundreds of thousands more through tissue donation. Learn more at giftofhope.org.