On Monday, the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network held a dedication for a newly renovated facility in Chatham that will serve as a beacon of hope for so many and an enduring monument to the work of retiring civic leader and executive Jack Lynch.
“Gift of Hope has been around for almost four decades, and in those four decades, there have been three CEOs,” said current Gift of Hope CEO Dr. Harry Wilkins.
“Gift of Hope has operated under two different names, and in that time, there has only been one Jack Lynch.”
Lynch, who was on hand for Monday’s dedication and building preview, joined Gift of Hope in 1987. He has dedicated his career to cultivating organ, eye and tissue donation awareness and education in the African-American community.
While Black people are four times as likely to experience kidney failure and possess the highest rates of heart failure, they are less likely to receive life-saving kidney and heart transplants than their white counterparts.
At Monday’s event, Dr. Wilkins expounded upon Lynch’s integral role in changing the narrative around organ donation in the Black community. He also credited him for helping Gift of Hope achieve the country’s highest percentage of African-American donors.
The building will be a vital hub for donor services and community outreach. In addition, there will be educational and training opportunities for Chicago State University students and community members.
The location of the renovated facility at the Independence Bank site, once the largest Black-owned bank in the country, is symbolic and pertinent.
“This was my first bank, right here as a child; the first account I opened up was right here in this building many, many, many years ago,” said Sawyer, a featured speaker at the event.
” There will be deposits made here. There will be investments made here, investments in the life of our community.”
On a windy April morning, dozens gathered outside to participate in the ribbon-cutting, including U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., and Alds. Roderick Sawyer and Michelle A. Harris. Lynch, along with family members, colleagues and friends, saw the unveiling of a sign that now bears his name.
Lynch gave the final speech before guests were allowed to tour the refurbished facility. In those final remarks, he reflected upon his distinguished career, which served a cause greater than himself. He likened his role to being a drum major in a band.
“The drum major is someone who is out front,” said Lynch. “But all of that has a purpose. It’s not just to be colorful, but it’s to keep the band on point.”
“You can call me a drum major. And yes, I’ve been out front, but the motivation has been correct,” he said. “It was never to do a job. But it was always to make a difference. And God has lent me the ability to do just that.”
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