3 named 2026 Champions for Donation by Indiana Donor Network Foundation
February 24, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS – Two Indiana residents and one Ohio resident have been named 2026 Champions for Donation by Indiana Donor Network Foundation for undertaking exceptional efforts to advance organ and tissue donation in Indiana and transplantation throughout the U.S.
Champions for Donation are individuals who support donation and transplantation through their professional work or advocacy on behalf of Indiana Donor Network, the federally designated, Tier 1A organ recovery organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation in Indiana and transplantation throughout the country. Past honorees have included state lawmakers, physicians, medical directors, educators, and state and local governmental agencies.
This year’s Champions for Donation will be honored at the 2026 Angel Fund Gala March 6 at Crane Bay Event Center in Indianapolis. The annual event hosted by Indiana Donor Network Foundation raises critical financial support for Indiana organ transplant recipients and families of the state’s organ and tissue donors.
This year’s honorees include:
Danielle Williams | download photo
Danielle Williams of Attica, Indiana has served in kindergarten through grade 12 food service for Attica Consolidated School Corp. for more than a decade, including the past two years as director. In her role, she is committed to promoting student nutrition and wellness.
A 25-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, she recently served as state president of the Indiana Eagles Auxiliary and selected Indiana Donor Network Foundation as the organization’s state project recipient.
Her father, George, died from pulmonary fibrosis in 2007 and was a tissue and cornea donor. The compassion and support provided by Indiana Donor Network during and after her family’s experience with donation inspired Williams to focus on supporting Indiana Donor Network’s annual Donor Hero Camp, a traditional summer camping experience that helps children of Indiana organ and tissue donors cope with grief and loss. Her support of the camp continues her father’s lifesaving legacy, she said.
Cutler Quillin III | download photo
Dr. Cutler Quillin III is surgical director of liver transplantation and living donor liver transplantation and associate professor of surgery at University of Cincinnati. He specializes in hepatobiliary surgery.
Raised on a beef cattle farm in central Kentucky, Quillin earned a bachelor’s degree in biological systems engineering from Virginia Tech University. He received a medical degree from University of Cincinnati, where he completed his general surgery residency. Quillen completed fellowship training in abdominal transplant and hepatobiliary surgery at Columbia University.
While maintaining a clinical practice, Quillin leads active clinical outcomes and surgical education research programs and serves as principal investigator for several multicenter transplant research initiatives. He is recognized nationally for his expertise in liver transplant hypothermic machine perfusion and is committed to expanding the donor pool by successfully transplanting organs that might otherwise be declined.
LIFETIME CHAMPION FOR DONATION
Dennis Dawes | download photo
Dennis Dawes began his career with the Indiana Department of Health then dedicated 40 years to Hendricks Regional Health in Danville, Indiana, serving 38 of those years as president and chief executive officer.
Active in public service, he served on the Brownsburg Town Council and is currently in his second term as Hendricks County Commissioner. He serves on the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership Board, Hendricks County Drainage Board and Hendricks County Sewer District Board. He is [resident of Hendricks County Recycling District Board and serves on the Indiana County Commissioners Board.
Dawes earned a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and master’s degree in health administration from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He also completed a fellowship with the American College of Healthcare Executives.
He is deeply committed to advancing organ donation and transplantation, serving as chairman of the board of Indiana Donor Network. He also served as a board member of Life Centers.
Dawes has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Distinguished Service award from Indiana Hospital Association, the Distinguished Hoosier award from former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and the Distinguished Alumnus award from Taylor University.
ABOUT INDIANA DONOR NETWORK
The decision to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor is a decision to give the gift of life. Indiana Donor Network serves as the vital link between donors and patients waiting for lifesaving organ transplants, healing tissue and corneas to restore sight. The organization is a federally designated organ recovery organization and accredited tissue bank serving 85 of Indiana’s 92 counties. Its team of nearly 400 dedicated professionals is committed to saving and healing lives through donation and transplantation, championing the cause through education and outreach and supporting donor families in their time of need. For more or to sign up as a donor, visit Indiana Donor Network online.
ABOUT INDIANA DONOR NETWORK FOUNDATION
As a subsidiary of Indiana Donor Network founded in 1997, Indiana Donor Network Foundation enhances the lives of those touched by donation through education, innovation, caring and support. The foundation raises funds through individual contributions, special events and sponsorships to support transplant recipients and the families of donor heroes. For more, visit Indiana Donor Network Foundation online.
Indiana Donor Network® and the Indiana Donor Network Foundation® are federally registered trademarks.
ABOUT DONATE LIFE INDIANA
Since 1998, Donate Life Indiana has been the state-authorized nonprofit organization responsible for managing the Indiana donor registry. Its mission is to save lives by creating opportunities for all Indiana citizens to sign up on the organization’s official state registry while striving to raise awareness for organ, tissue and cornea donation and transplantation through public education. For more, visit Donate Life Indiana online.
