Key to individuals registering to be organ and tissue donors is education and trust. Education about the donation and registration process and trust that a registered donor’s wishes will be honored.
An important part of education and outreach in Illinois is the powerful work of the Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) chapters across our service area. Student leaders continue to be a driving force in donation education with their peers—sparking conversations, breaking down misconceptions and helping others make informed choices about organ, eye and tissue donation.
Fall 2025 Impact at a Glance
Across Gift of Hope’s service area, SODA chapters reported the following during the Fall 2025 semester:
| School | People Educated | People Registered |
| Adlai E. Stevenson High School | 292 | 40 |
| Lane Tech College Prep | 1,609 | 10 |
| Northwestern University | 350 | 15 |
| University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign | 40 | 20 |
In total, Illinois SODA chapters educated 2,291 people and registered 65 new donors.
These numbers represent face-to-face conversations, myth-busting presentations, tabling events and the commitment of student leaders who believe deeply in saving and enhancing lives.
One such example is the incredible dedication of student advocates at Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Their SODA chapter received the prestigious Jesse White Leadership Achievement Award from the Gift of Hope Community Foundation at the 2025 5K Run, Walk & Roll for the chapter’ s exemplary leadership, peer-led education, awareness campaigns and their remarkable effort in raising more than $15,000 in 2025 to support the Foundation’s mission.
Why SODA Chapters Matter
Many people hesitate to register as donors due to misconceptions or a lack of accessible information. SODA chapters help bridge that gap through:
- Peer-led education in classrooms and school clubs
- Community tabling at farmer’s markets, festivals, and campus events
- Collaborative presentations that debunk myths and share facts
- Compassionate conversations that meet people where they are
Nationally in 2025, SODA chapter reached more than 33,000 people nationwide, bringing organ, eye, and tissue donation education directly where the students are and learn. By normalizing these discussions, students help cultivate a more informed and empathetic culture around organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Together we are shaping a future where donation education is widely accessible, deeply understood, and embraced across our communities.