OTS 31st Annual Anniversary Celebration

The 31st anniversary celebration brunch for Organ Transplant Support, Inc. was held on October 10, 2021 at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Palatine.   This was the first in-person event for OTS in more than 18 months and we were thrilled to see 55 transplant recipients, family, and friends at this event.   We all gathered outdoors under a large tent to celebrate the success of organ transplantation and recognize outstanding volunteers for OTS. 

The 2021 Memorial Spirit of OTS award was presented in honor of Geri Giorno, a long-time OTS Board member and heart recipient, for her years of service to OTS.  Geri’s family joined the brunch and accepted this award in her honor, including her sister Pam Muscia, Geri’s brother Paul Giorno and his wife Sue.

We also presented another special award this year.  The OTS Volunteer Service Award for 2021 was presented to Dave Wittrock.  Dave received a liver transplant 19 years ago and he has held a Celebration of Life party every year since his transplant.  Dave has generously donated money raised at this party to OTS for over 15 years.  Thank you, Dave, for everything you do to help OTS! 

Dave Wittrock is a drummer for the band Groove Side Up, and they played a selection of terrific songs during the brunch.    If anyone needs a band for an event in the future, you should check out this band on Facebook.  The OTS brunch had wonderful music, a delicious breakfast, and a group of friends who were all healthy and happy to be together during this pandemic. 

The 2021 OTS Board of Directors and its members would like to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors:  Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, Transplant Village, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and BioLife4D.   Your generosity helped to make this celebration a resounding success