APRIL 12, 2011

Organ recipients, donor families, volunteers
encourage signup on the Organ Donor Registry

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminded residents that a visit to their local branch office today is an opportunity to do more than renew a license plate or register to vote. It's a chance to "Restart the Heart."

"I'm pleased so many volunteers are gathered at our branch offices to talk about the benefits of organ, tissue and eye donation," said Johnson. "Their willingness to donate their time and share their stories is a reminder of the need for even more names on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry."

April is "Donate Life Month" across the country. "Restart the Heart" is the Secretary of State's theme for the month.

Gift of Life Michigan, Michigan Eye-Bank and Lions Club volunteers, known as Buddies, are in most Secretary of State offices today. 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.

Buddies will be at SUPER!Centers and PLUS offices 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., then again from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Buddies will be at regular branch offices from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To find a branch office near you, visit www.Michigan.gov/sos for the branch office locator.

This year more than 100 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.

If you are not able to go to a branch office today, you can easily register online at any time at www.Michigan.gov/sos. A red heart sticker signifying a person has joined the Michigan Organ Donor Registry will be mailed to you. Additionally, enrollment cards are always available at any branch office and are mailed with every driver's license and state identification card. When a person renews his or her driver's license, the new license will have the red heart logo printed on it if he or she is already on the registry.

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 website at www.michiganeyebank.org.

For more information about organ donation and the Secretary of State's Office, visit its website (www.Michigan.gov/sos), and sign up for the official Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/Michsos) and Facebook updates (www.facebook.com/Michigansos).

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For media questions, please call Randall Thompson at (517) 373-2520.