APRIL 10, 2006

Buddy Week begins April 10 to boost organ donor enrollments, honor Shining Stars

In an effort to save more lives, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land joined with advocates today to challenge Michigan residents to add their names to the state's organ and tissue donor registry and break the million-name mark.

The challenge is part of the Department of State's "Buddy Week" celebration. During Buddy Week, Gift of Life Michigan and Michigan Eye-Bank volunteers visit Secretary of State branch offices to meet with the public and discuss the critical need for organ and tissue donors. The donor registry has about 948,600 names.

"We are so close to obtaining a million names on the donor registry," said Land, who championed the "One in a Million" campaign to encourage more residents to enroll as organ and tissue donors. "One million names represents about 10 percent of the state's population. When you consider that one donor can save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people, every single name is critical. Let's make this Buddy Week one to remember by breaking through the million-name threshold."

Land made her comments during a news conference at the Secretary of State Livonia Area SUPER!Center in observance of Buddy Week. Joining Land were organ donor officials, physicians, transplant recipients and donor families, all of whom shared compelling stories about the benefits of organ and tissue donation. Especially poignant were Gibraltar residents, kidney recipients and sisters Cara and Courtney Cooke, who talked about their transplants and the miracle of the gift of life.

"Each year, our participation in this great event keeps growing," Land said. "This year, we have about 291 Buddies, including volunteers from more than 78 Michigan Lions and Lioness clubs, at roughly 140 branch offices. Michigan should be proud of its role in promoting organ and tissue donation."

Tom Beyersdorf, Gift of Life Michigan executive director, accepted an executive proclamation marking April as Michigan Donate Life Month.

"As organ donation rates have increased 27 percent in Michigan in the last two years, Gift of Life Michigan thanks Secretary Land for her active support of organ, tissue and eye donation," Beyersdorf said. "We look forward to expanding our partnership with the Secretary of State, allowing all Michigan driver's license and state identification card holders the opportunity to sign up on the donor registry. Together, we will save and enhance many more lives through the gifts of life, sight and mobility."

Recognition for outstanding work in advancing the cause of organ donation was given to West Bloomfield resident Lisa Ziff. Ziff's daughter, Shay, underwent a successful heart transplant at age 5 months. This life-changing experience spurred Ziff to become a tireless advocate for donation. Land presented her with a Shining Star award on behalf of the Department of State, commending her dedication. The Shining Star award was created by Land to honor individuals and groups for their exemplary donation efforts.

The Secretary also praised a new law allowing residents to indicate their wishes to be organ and tissue donors with a heart insignia on their driver's license or state identification card as of Jan. 1, 2007.

Throughout the week, Land will visit branch offices and award four Shining Stars. Her schedule takes her to Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw and Grand Rapids. Select branch offices in each of those areas will host Buddies. All branch offices will have organ and tissue donation information on display throughout April.

Information about the Department of State's online donor enrollment program is available at www.Michigan.gov/sos. In addition to online enrollment, donor cards 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. It acts as an intermediary to provide educational resources about organ donation for donors, recipients, physicians and hospital staff.

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