APRIL 28, 2010

Michigan Organ Donor Registry continues to grow

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today applauded the more than 25,000 residents who added their names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry during April, which is Donate Life Month.

"Many of you heeded the call to give the gift of life and I thank you," Land said. "But we can't slow down. One donor can help nearly 50 people. Please ask your friends and families to add their names to the list. I encourage everyone to sign up today."

Nearly 3,000 residents are in need of a lifesaving organ transplant.

To sign up, residents can visit www.Michigan.gov/sos or Secretary of State branch offices. They will then receive a heart sticker for their driver's license or identification card.

Land was joined by Gift of Life Michigan, Michigan Eye-Bank and Hospice of Michigan in celebrating April as Donate Life Month. In addition, almost 400 "Buddies"

visited Secretary of State branch offices. Buddies are often organ recipients or family members of donors who speak about the importance of becoming an organ donor.

Gift of Life Michigan is the state's certified, full-service organ recovery organization. It acts as an intermediary between donors, physicians and hospital staff. Contact the agency at (800) 482-4881 or www.giftoflifemichigan.org.

The Michigan Eye-Bank's mission is the restoration of sight. It recovers, evaluates and distributes corneas for transplantation, supports eye and vision research and offers public and professional education on the importance of eye, organ and tissue donation. To learn more, call (800) 247-7250 or visit the organization's Web site at www.michiganeyebank.org.

Hospice of Michigan provides specialized, compassionate care to people living with advanced chronic illness. Its mission is to ensure quality of life, comfort and peace to each patient during his or her end-of-life experience and to provide support for the patient's loved ones. For more information, call (888) 247-5181 or visit the Hospice of Michigan Web site at www.hom.org.

For more information about the Department of State organ and tissue donor initiatives, visit www.Michigan.gov/sos.