ITASCA, Ill. (July 24, 2025) – The Gift of Hope Community Foundation honored Jamie Nieto, PGA Professional with the 2025 Life Changer Passionate People Award at the Annual Gift of Hope Community Foundation Golf Outing on July 24 in Woodridge, Illinois.
Established in 2018, the Gift of Hope Community Foundation raises funds to support Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network’s mission to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation. The Foundation’s Life Changer Passionate People Award recognizes individuals whose personal journeys reflect extraordinary resilience, and whose work uplifts communities while advancing the mission of organ and tissue donation.
Tissue grafts from a donor enabled Nieto to survive life-threatening burns that covered 65% of his body. He now channels his journey of survival into purposeful work, using the game of golf as a tool for connection, community-building, and healing. As co-chair of The Burn Awareness Charity Golf Outing and a volunteer advocate with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Nieto offers hope to others facing life-altering injuries and trauma.
“In golf as in life, we don’t always get to choose the challenges we face, but we can choose how we respond,” said Nieto. “I’m proud to use my second chance at life to honor others, especially those who give the gift of life through donation. It’s a privilege to support Gift of Hope and to stand with donor families and fellow survivors.”
Since 2018, Nieto has worked closely with Gift of Hope, championing organ and tissue donation, supporting donor families, and educating the public.
“Jamie embodies the spirit of the Passionate People Award,” said Audrena Spence.
Executive Director, Gift of Hope Community Foundation. “His courage, authenticity, and unwavering drive to give back make him a powerful force for good. Jamie’s leadership touches hearts and changes lives.”
The annual Gift of Hope Community Foundation Golf Outing brings together community leaders, healthcare partners, and advocates to celebrate compassionate service and raise funds that support education, outreach, and donation awareness efforts across the region.
To learn more about the Gift of Hope Community Foundation or to support its mission, please visit giftofhope.org/give.
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 nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO) that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana. As one of 55 OPOs that make up the nation’s organ donation system, Gift of Hope works with 180 hospitals and serves 12 million people in its donation service area. Since 1986, its work has saved the lives of more than 29,000 organ transplant recipients and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of tissue transplant recipients. For more information, visit giftofhope.org.