APRIL 17, 2008

Joined by Michigan residents who have had their lives dramatically transformed by receiving donated eye tissue, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today called on more people to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.

Land made the plea on behalf of the nearly 3,100 Michigan patients waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Her message was part of a Kalamazoo news conference that highlighted April as Donate Life Month.

"The remarkable stories of young children who now can see their toys for the first time because of a cornea transplant or older adults who now enjoy playing with their grandchildren thanks to new heart vividly shows how organ donation transforms lives," Land said. "I encourage all Michigan residents to take a minute and add their name to the organ donor registry. The demand for organs is always greater than the supply, but the good news is we can work to reduce that."

Also joining Land were representatives from Gift of Life Michigan and the Michigan Eye-Bank along with area residents who had received organ or tissue transplants. Heather Nichols of Scotts in Kalamazoo County shared the story of her twin 9-year-old girls, Madison and Malia, who were born blind because of congenital glaucoma. Eighteen-year-old Andre Smith of Portage talked about his experience with failing vision caused by a degenerative eye condition called keratoconus. Today the twins and Andre can see thanks to donors who chose to give the gift of sight.

"We are honored to partner with Secretary Land and her staff to sign up more residents on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and ultimately save and enhance more lives," said Richard Pietroski, executive director of Gift of Life Michigan. "The donor registry is the most accurate legally binding documentation of an individual's wish to become an organ and tissue donor."

"The donor registry helps the Michigan Eye-Bank to provide the gift of sight from cornea donors to recipients," said Kevin Ross, Michigan Eye-Bank president and chief executive officer. "It's how we tell each other we're ready to give that gift when the time comes."

Land is asking people to "Show Us Your Heart" by joining the registry. People who want to enroll can do so online at www.Michigan.gov/sos or at any Secretary of State office. They will receive a heart sticker for their driver's license or state identification card, ensuring the card holder's wish is carried out. Anyone who has signed up in the past but does not have a heart sticker is asked to enroll again to ensure their information is up-to-date.

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 recovers, evaluates and distributes corneas for transplantation, supports eye and vision research and offers education on the importance of donation. To learn more call (800) 247-7250 or visit www.michiganeyebank.org.

To enroll in the Michigan Organ Donor Registry or for more information about Department of State organ donor initiatives, visit www.Michigan.gov/sos.

Related Link
> Michigan Organ Donor Registry