FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contacts: Jennifer Tislerics,

Gift of Life Michigan,

800-482-4881

 

3^rd Annual Gift of Life University Challenge invites college students to sign up on the Organ, Tissue & Eye Donor Registry, help favorite college win a traveling trophy.  

Ann Arbor, January 9, 2006 – Gift of Life and the Michigan Department of State have partnered with colleges and universities across the state in the 2006 Gift of Life University Challenge. From January 9 through February 19, 2006, participating schools will be engaged in this friendly, life-saving competition in an effort to sign up the most people on the Gift of Life Organ, Tissue & Eye Donor Registry. 

Each school is encouraging students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to sign up on the Gift of Life Donor Registry at giftoflifemichigan.org or by filling out a Donor Registry form at one of many campus organ and tissue donor drive events. This 3rd annual competition has expanded to include two ways for each school to win a traveling trophy – one trophy will be awarded to the school with the largest total number of donor registrants, and a second trophy will be given to the school that signs up the largest percentage of people in relation to its student population.

“Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land personally invited all Michigan colleges and universities to join the competition, and we thank Secretary Land and her staff for their active support of the Donor Registry,” said Tom Beyersdorf, Executive Director of Gift of Life.

“We are excited to welcome several new schools to the University Challenge, as well as those colleges and universities that are returning to the competition. The enthusiasm and energy participating schools bring to this event is inspiring to those in need of organ and tissue transplants,” added Beyersdorf.

The Gift of Life University Challenge gives hope to the 2,882 Michigan patients currently waiting for a life-saving transplant. Last year, 614 Michigan patients received an organ transplant through the generosity of anonymous donors and their families. Sadly, however, not enough organs were available for those in need of the gift of life, and 84 Michigan patients died waiting for a transplant.

During the first two years of the Gift of Life University Challenge, almost 9,000 people signed up to donate life. “Each year, this event motivates more people to sign up on the donor registry than any other event in Michigan,” said Beyersdorf. Participating schools encourage people to sign up on the Donor Registry through email campaigns, information tables on campus, and by giving away free green silicone ‘Donate Life’ wristbands.

The Gift of Life Organ, Tissue & Eye Donor Registry is a confidential, 24-hour-a-day, computerized database that documents residents’ wishes regarding organ, tissue and eye donation. Since Gift of Life Michigan is contacted upon every hospital death, signing the Donor Registry is the best way to ensure a person’s wishes are carried out. To become a registered donor, sign up online at giftoflifemichigan.org or request a Donor Registry form by contacting Gift of Life at 800-482-4881.

Editor’s Notes:

Participating Michigan colleges and universities include:
• Bay College
• Calvin College
• Central Michigan University
• Eastern Michigan University
• Ferris State University
• Finlandia University
• Grand Valley State University
• Kirtland Community College
• Michigan State University
• Muskegon Community College
• Northern Michigan University
• Saginaw Valley State University
• Western Michigan University

More schools are expected to sign up during the competition.

For a complete list of participating schools and their current standings in the competition, visit: http://www.giftoflifemichigan.org/Standings2006.aspx