Tears, triumph, and hope shine at Donate Life Night

The power of generosity and second chances was on full display Friday night at Ozinga Field, where Donate Life Illinois joined forces with the Maddog Strong Foundation for its fourth annual Tailgate Party in partnership with the Windy City ThunderBolts during the team’s “Donate Life Night” game.

More than 300 attendees — including organ and tissue recipients, donor families, living donors and transplant professionals — gathered at the Crestwood ballpark to celebrate life and raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation.

Dr. Cyndi Grobmeier, Ed.D., Maddie’s mother and president of the Maddog Strong Foundation, with her husband, Frank, at the ThunderBolts Donate Life Night. (Photo by Kelly White)

The tailgate, sponsored by the Maddog Strong Foundation, brought the donation and transplantation community together over food, music and games. The foundation was created in memory of Maddie “Maddog” Grobmeier, who died unexpectedly from an asthma attack the day after her 18th birthday. Her decision to become an organ and tissue donor gave others the opportunity to live on and “do amazing things for the world.”

Dr. Cyndi Grobmeier, Ed.D., Maddie’s mother and president of the Maddog Strong Foundation, said the organization has partnered with Donate Life Illinois and its co-chair, Daniel Lietz, for nearly six years.

“We met Dan through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Life Goes On Program, and as a fellow donor family member, we immediately connected through our shared mission,” Grobmeier said. “His daughter, Morgan, became our second Student Board Member last year, and having young voices on our board helps us better educate teens and young adults about the life-saving need for organ and tissue donation.”

Grobmeier said the foundation began hosting the pre-game tailgate four years ago as part of Donate Life’s annual ballpark event.

“Marching on the field and sharing the importance of donor registration is incredible,” she said. “The tailgate is really meant to bring together all the different people in this community — recipients, living donors, donor families, caregivers, and those who work in the industry — to enjoy a meal together. What better way to connect!”

This year’s tailgate featured donations from Pete’s Fresh Market in Matteson, which supplied hot dogs and water, as well as volunteers from the Nationwide Organ Recovery Transport Alliance, which specializes in organ and tissue transportation nationwide through elite ground and air services.

Vicky Janozik, Chicago supervisor for NORA and a retired paramedic, said the work is a continuation of her lifelong mission to help others. “I worked as a paramedic for 40 years and I am still saving lives — just in a different way,” she said.

Eric Lietz, of Joliet, and Monique Jones, of Park Forest, both of whom received heart transplants five years ago were in attendance on Friday night at the ThunderBolts Donate Life Night. (Photo by Kelly White)

Before the game, attendees participated in a flag parade around the bases, and Caleb Lofton, a junior at Brother Rice High School who received a life-saving heart transplant last year, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Lietz, program manager for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Program, called the evening special. “I look forward to this every year,” he said. “The organ donor community would like to thank the Windy City ThunderBolts organization for their collaboration in organ donor awareness.”

Lietz noted the ongoing need for organ and tissue donors.

“There are currently over 4,000 Illinoisans on the national transplant waiting list,” he said. “Nearly 8 million people in the state have said yes to donation and registered since 2006. Last year, 2,365 people received an organ transplant at hospitals throughout Illinois, which was the most ever.”

Gavin Dillon, a liver transplant recipient from Libertyville and regional coordinator for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Program, also attended the event.

“I love my job and love all of the work that I do,” Dillon said. “What I’ve noticed is that a lot of recipients feel the need to give back, and it is incredibly rewarding.” Dillon received his liver transplant in 2016.

Also in attendance were Eric Lietz, of Joliet, and Monique Jones, of Park Forest, both of whom received heart transplants five years ago. They expressed gratitude and humility for the chance to be part of the celebration.

The event remains deeply meaningful to Grobmeier.

“This is one of our favorite events of the year because it brings together so many people with a shared passion for this cause,” she said.

For more information about organ and tissue donation or to register as a donor, visit