MAY 4, 2007

Eye-Bank employee's efforts promote awareness, action

As a part of her remarks Thursday evening at an organ donation event in Southfield, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land surprised Ann Arbor resident and Michigan Eye-Bank employee Lisa Langley with a Shining Star award.

Land presented the award during the annual Donate Life Coalition of Michigan's "Alive ‘07" fundraiser, which celebrates the lives saved through organ, tissue and eye donation and features a guest list numbering into the hundreds. The Secretary created the Shining Star award to recognize individuals and groups for their outstanding efforts at promoting organ donation.

"One of the personal highlights of my job is working with organ donation," Land said. "I've met many people who were given a second chance at life because of a transplant. That is why I am pleased to honor Lisa with a Shining Star award. Her tireless dedication to the Eye-Bank brings the priceless gift of sight to thousands. Because of her outstanding work, Lisa has been asked to expand her outreach to Illinois and New Jersey."

Langley was nominated for the Shining Star by Gift of Life Michigan.

"Gift of Life staff have had the pleasure of working with Lisa Langley on countless events, activities and outreach programs over the years," said Tom Beyersdorf, Gift of Life

Michigan executive director. "Her dedication to donor families and recipients is remarkable.

We are honored to partner with Lisa, and the Midwest Eye-Banks, in encouraging Michigan residents to sign up as organ, tissue and eye donors."

The Michigan Eye-Bank is a division of Midwest Eye-Banks. As an Eye-Bank employee and registered nurse, Langley is in daily contact with donor families and transplant recipients. Known for her energy and creativity, she routinely works long hours, evenings and weekends to ensure quality service to those who put their trust in the Midwest Eye-Banks. She is responsible for recruiting hundreds of volunteers to promote organ donation at Secretary of State offices during Buddy Day each April. Many of her contacts are through the Lions Club, an international charitable organization known for its service to the blind and visually impaired.

This is the fourth year that Park West Gallery in Southfield hosted the Donate Life Coalition of Michigan event.

The Department of State oversees several organ donor initiatives including the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, Buddy Week and the Organ and Tissue Donor Advisory Committee. The department's latest effort, the new heart logo campaign, has made it even easier for residents to add their names to the registry and receive a heart sticker for their driver's license or state identification card.

For more information about the heart logo campaign and other organ donation efforts, visit the department Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos or call (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424).

The Michigan Eye-Bank can be reached at www.michiganeyebank.org or (800) 247-7250.