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AUGUST 13, 2012
Drivers can support organ donor efforts with purchase
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan's newest license plate, which encourages organ
donation efforts, is now on sale, Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson
announced today.
The Donate Life plate carries the Donate Life logo and the message: "Be an
Organ, Eye & Tissue Donor."
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the plate, which costs $35 in
addition to any applicable registration fees, will go to the Thomas Daley Gift
of Life Fund to promote organ, tissue and eye donation. The fund is named in
honor of Thomas Daley, 23, who died in an accident in 2011 and was an organ
donor. Daley the son of Rep. Kevin Daley, R-Lum, and his wife Deborah.
"The need is so great in Michigan and this will be a clear reminder to
Michigan residents about the need for people willing to give the gift of life,"
said Johnson, who has championed organ donation awareness efforts since becoming
secretary of state. Under her leadership, record numbers of people are signing
up as potential donors on Michigan's Organ Donor Registry. The Registry grew by
nearly 400,000 people – a 25 percent increase – last year.
The plate is formally known as the John J. Gleason Gift of Life Plate in
honor of the state representative, John Gleason, who sponsored legislation
creating the plate. Gleason is a kidney recipient.
"The new license plate is a great way for every compassionate Michigan citizen
to show support, in a highly visible way, for organ, tissue and eye donation,"
said Richard Pietroski, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, the state's organ and
tissue recovery organization. "Just as importantly, it provides funding to
educate the public about how everyone can be a hero to the thousands of people
here and across the nation who need a life-saving transplant."
Liver recipient Marge Del Greco of Farmington Hills will purchase one of the
new Donate Life plates right away.
"The new Donate Life license plate is coming out just in time so I can get
one for my birthday on Aug. 29," said Del Greco. "If it hadn't been for the
generosity of my donor, I wouldn't be celebrating any birthdays. I'm thrilled to
get the new plate because it will bring awareness to the need for more donors
and hopefully more people will sign up on the Donor Registry to save lives."
More than 3,000 people in Michigan are waiting for life-saving organ
transplants. A single donor can save up to eight lives through organ transplants
and can improve the lives of up to 50 more through tissue and cornea
transplants.
The Donate Life plate can be purchased by mail, fax or at any Secretary of
State office and will be mailed to customers. Donate Life plates may also be
personalized using Plate it Your Way. For more information, visit the Secretary
of State website at www.michigan.gov/sos.
Organizations which supported creation of the plate include: the Donate Life
Coalition of Michigan; the Gift of Life Foundation; Gift of Life Michigan; the
Gift of Life Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP); The
Henry Ford Transplant Institute; the Lisa Biskup Organ, Eye Tissue Donor
Program; the Michigan Donor Family Council; the Michigan Eye-Bank; Second Chance
at Life; St. John Hospital and Medical Center and the University of Michigan
Transplant Center.
Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at
www.twitter.com/michsos
and Facebook updates at
www.facebook.com/michigansos.
Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak
to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).
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For media questions, please call Gisgie Dávila Gendreau at 517-373-2520.
Related Documents & Topics
More information
on ordering donate life plate
Plate It Your Way -
Personalized Plates
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