MARCH 31, 2005

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that this year's Buddy Day observance, which highlights the critical need for organ donation, will be April 11.

April is also "Donate Life Month" across the country.

On April 11, Gift of Life Michigan and Michigan Eye-Bank volunteers, known as Buddies, will be in various Secretary of State offices from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to distribute organ donor information. Buddies have either received a transplant, are waiting for one, are the family and friends of a recipient or donor or are organ donor supporters.

"The decision to become an organ donor is a decision to save a life," Land said. "The Department of State is proud of its Buddy Day sponsorship. Lives are transformed when people care enough to become a donor. We look forward to spreading the word about the critical need for organ donation this year. There is no greater gift than the gift of life, and that is what organ donation is all about."

This year about 130 branch offices will host Buddies to promote greater awareness of the need for organ, tissue and eye donation. All offices will have organ donor information on display.

In addition to the Buddies visiting branch offices, Land will hold Buddy Day news conferences in Royal Oak and Flint.

Residents who will not be at a branch office on Buddy Day still have plenty of opportunities to enroll on the donor registry. The Department of State Web site makes registering easy with its online enrollment program at www.Michigan.gov/sos. Additionally, enrollment cards are available at any branch office and are mailed with every driver's license and state identification card.

Gift of Life Michigan is the state's certified, full-service organ recovery organization. The agency acts as an intermediary to provide educational resources for donors, recipients, physicians and hospital staff.

For more information about organ donation, contact Gift of Life Michigan at 1-800-482-4881.