HR0611 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0611 LRB098 14372 MST 49021 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Mundelein Fire Chief Tim Sashko for receiving the "2013 Most Innovative Blood Drive Coordinator Award" from the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, because of his desire to help his community and his competitive nature, Chief Sashko developed the Firefighters' Blood Donor Challenge; and

WHEREAS, In its first year, 3 Lake County fire departments took part in the Challenge; and

WHEREAS, By 2012, 36 fire departments were participating in the Challenge and collected over 3,148 units of blood in a single year; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception under Chief's Sashko's leadership, the Firefighter Challenge has expanded from Lake County to a statewide effort and the Firefighter Blood Donor Challenge has increased 700%; and

WHEREAS, Chief Sashko has helped bring the "Partners in Savings Lives" program, which educates high school students on the importance of becoming life long donors, to Mundelein High School, which now because of his efforts, host 4 annual blood drives, collecting an average of 700 units of blood; and

WHEREAS, Chief Sashko works to insure one drive each month is held in his community so that donors have a consistent and convenient place to donate; and

WHEREAS, Chief Sashko reaches beyond the fire departments and encourages community groups to also join in the Firefighter Blood Donor Challenge; and

WHEREAS, Chief Sashko hosted a bone marrow drive and successfully added 82 members to the National Bone Marrow Registry; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, LifeSource nominated Chief Sashko as the "2013 Most Innovative Blood Drive Coordinator" in a statewide competition hosted by the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Chief Tim Sashko for receiving the "2013 Most Innovative Blood Drive Coordinator Award", commend him for his selfless service and dedication to saving lives in his community, and wish him continued success in promoting blood donation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Chief Sashko as a symbol of our respect and esteem.