A Tribute to Jack Felts

In July 1998, Jack Felts was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Jack, always a strong fighter, underwent a bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, and full body radiation at University of Illinois Medical Center. Jack returned home September 1998. It is believed that Jack contracted Hepatitis C through blood transfusions received during his leukemia treatment. Jack became a patient of the Walter Peyton Liver Center in October 2006 and was soon added to the liver transplant list. On December 31, 2008, Jack received a liver and kidney transplant. Unfortunately, cancer cells were already present in Jack's own liver and the cancer later metastasized. Although Jack continued his fight, he was never able to leave the hospital. Jack passed away on April 27, 2009, from hepatocellular carcinoma.

During Jack's transplant and treatment, his family found a home with IMD Guest House. After Jack passed, his family and friends from Caterpillar joined forces to honor Jack's memory by remodeling one of IMD Guest House's suites. The Peoria Room, pictured above, is one of the ten apartments available at the Guest House.