"Today is Buddy Day and we are on a crusade in branch offices across the state to ask residents to add their names to the state's organ donor registry," Land said. "If you don't have a heart sticker on your license or state ID, visit the department's Web site or stop by any Secretary of State office and let us know you want to be a donor."

An army of more than 300 supporters organized by Gift of Life Michigan and the Michigan Eye-Bank are visiting Secretary of State offices for Buddy Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Known as "Buddies," many of the volunteers are transplant recipients or members of donor families, and all are enthusiastic about sharing the life-affirming message of organ and tissue transplantation. The department and its organ donor partners host Buddy Day each year in support of April as Donate Life Month.

To foster greater participation, this year's campaign is encouraging residents to "show us your heart" by obtaining a red heart donor sticker for their license or ID card. You can sign up online at www.Michigan.gov/sos or at any Secretary of State office. Age or existing health conditions shouldn't deter anyone from adding their name to the donor registry. A transplant physician will evaluate organs and tissues for their suitability at the time of death.

Land made her appeal during a news conference at Spectrum Health's Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. In 2008, Butterworth coordinated 34 organ donations, more than any other hospital in the state. The hospital also has the distinction of having the highest number of organ donors of any hospital in Michigan for the past five years and the highest

number of tissue donors for at least 10 years. In addition, Butterworth and Blodgett hospitals have been awarded a total of six U.S. Organ Donation Medals of Honor for achieving a 75 percent or greater organ donation conversion rate.

Two west Michigan residents shared their experiences about the importance of organ and tissue donation. Wyoming resident and Grand Rapids Community College student Kathleen Mather, 19, spoke about receiving a heart transplant when she was 10.

Spring Lake resident Collette Taylor praised Butterworth's organ donation coordination team for its care and compassion in helping Taylor and her family reach the decision to donate her son's organs in 2008 after he died in an accident.

"Donation is a powerful act that transforms lives," said Richard Pietroski, Gift of Life Michigan executive director. "I would like to commend Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and her staff for their commitment to administering the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and helping spotlight the critical need for organ, tissue and eye donors."

The Michigan Organ Donor Registry contains about 1.5 million names, or roughly 15 percent of the state's population. More than 3,000 Michigan residents are waiting for a lifesaving transplant and about four will die each week because of an insufficient number of donors.

Last year in Michigan, donors provided 922 organs and 1,199 corneas for transplantation. One organ and tissue donor can save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people.

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.

Related link
> 2009 List of Secretary of State offices hosting a Buddy