Gift of Hope honors Coroner Jennifer Banek and staff of Lake County Coroner’s Office
On Thursday, July 25, the Lake County Coroner’s Office was presented with the 2024 Life Changer Award for Outstanding Teams from the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Network organization. Accepting the award on behalf of her coroner’s office team, Coroner Jennifer Banek said she was gratified by the honor. The Gift of Hope organization is part of a nationwide donation system helping people through organ and tissue donation.
“This honor is awarded to a group of individuals who consistently make a difference as an exceptional team. The recipients of this award exhibit qualities in ways that are measurable, and tangibly advance the mission to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation: goodwill, inclusion, harmony, accountability and service-minded,” a statement from the Executive Director of the Gift of Hope Community Foundation, Audrena Spence, said. “You and your team embody Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network’s core values of Outstanding Teams and are worthy of this recognition.”
Banek said the award “reflects our dedication, our shared vision with Gift of Hope, and our unwavering commitment to serve our communities.”
“We are proud to stand alongside an organization that shares our belief in the power of generosity and compassion,” she said.
“At the Coroner's Office, our work often involves navigating the delicate intersection of grief and hope,” Banek said. “In the past, connecting families of donors with our team posed challenges that delayed the potential for live-saving donations. However, through our collaboration with Gift of Hope, we implemented an electronic interface that has revolutionized our communication process. This advancement has allowed us to engage with donor families promptly and compassionately, ensuring their wishes are honored and that the gift of life can be shared swiftly. The results have been nothing short of extraordinary; lives saved that would have otherwise been lost.”
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Banek has a special connection to the effort to bring hope from tragedy.
“As someone who has worked in the operating room, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of organ and tissue donation. Each procedure is a reminder of the profound impact that a single decision can have — not just on one life, but countless others. The stories of the lives saved echo in our hearts and serve as a poignant reminder of why our work is so vital.”
“Thank you to Gift of Hope for your unwavering partnership and for recognizing the importance of this work. Together, we are not just saving lives; we are instilling hope and fostering a legacy of kindness that will resonate for generations.”