Secretary of State Lauds Horizon School's Organ Donor Poster Winners

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White lauded three students from the McKinley Park neighborhood’s Horizon Science Academy for their artistic contributions that raise awareness among minorities about the importance of organ donation.

During an award ceremony on Thursday, August 28, 2022, at the McKinley Park branch of the Chicago Public Library, White thanked the three Horizon students, including 8-year-old Zeyneb Efe, the overall winner of the poster contest for the state’s Life Goes On program.

“I’m really proud of these three young ladies,” White said. “Their artwork is outstanding and sends a message to all of us.”

Promoting Organ Donations

Cassandra Medrano, a rising 9th grade student at Horizon, submitted a poster that won among all 6th to 8th graders, and Horizon rising senior Marissa Estrada won the high school category for her poster.

“I just did it for fun,” Efe said. “If they give me more time, I’ll do it even better.”

White said Efe’s poster will be used to promote organ and tissue donation throughout the state, such as Secretary of State facilities, hospitals and libraries (including the McKinley Park library). Information on being a donor and sign-up forms will also be available at these locations.

Big Need for Donors

“I want to congratulate Zeyneb for designing this year’s top poster,” White said.

White spoke of the pressing need for donors, with 4,000 people on the waiting list in Illinois alone, 59 percent of whom are people of color, he said.

Making everyone aware of the importance of organ donation is crucial, White said. “If you’re from the same ethnic background, the success of the surgery [is more likely],” he said.

White noted that the ceremony and outreach was taking place as part of National Minority Organ Donor Awareness Month.

Saved Father of Six

Speakers joining White included Phillip Hanks, a Joliet resident and father of six who has recently undergone five transplants of donor organs, including his kidney, liver and spleen.

“It’s your work that makes this type of thing possible,” Hanks said to the three winning students.

White said that it is fast and easy to become a donor, something open to all Illinois residents 16 years and older, including registering through the Life Goes On website at www.lifegoeson.com.

“All you have to do is fill out a form,” White said.