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Statewide drive aims to add one million names to Organ Donor Registry in 2010
February 01, 2010
Gift of Life Michigan and two key partners have launched a massive campaign to add one million new names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry this year.
Michigan ranks 42nd nationwide in the percentage of registered drivers who have officially expressed their wish to someday become organ, eye and tissue donors.
A key component to the effort is social media. Gift of Life's Web site home page has a feature on the right side called a widget. This Internet tool allows users to sign up on the Donor Registry, then pass the widget along to others through email, Facebook or Twitter. It also can be hosted on other Web sites by businesses, non-profits or service groups interested in joining the campaign to save and improve lives. The widget also features a special page with a map of Michigan that details the percentage of registered adults by county.
Adding one million names to the state's confidential database will bring Michigan in line with the national average of 39 percent. Just 24 percent of drivers here have signed the registry.
Part of the reason Michigan lags behind other states: Most residents aren't aware that signing the back of a Michigan driver's license or state ID isn't enough to be a donor anymore. Since 2007, residents must join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry here on this Web site, by calling 800.482.4881 or by visiting a Secretary of State branch office.
Gift of Life Michigan is working with the Michigan Eye-Bank, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and the Donate Life Coalition of Michigan, among others, to encourage residents to sign up to save and improve lives and pass the word along.
Michigan ranks 42nd nationwide in the percentage of registered drivers who have officially expressed their wish to someday become organ, eye and tissue donors.
A key component to the effort is social media. Gift of Life's Web site home page has a feature on the right side called a widget. This Internet tool allows users to sign up on the Donor Registry, then pass the widget along to others through email, Facebook or Twitter. It also can be hosted on other Web sites by businesses, non-profits or service groups interested in joining the campaign to save and improve lives. The widget also features a special page with a map of Michigan that details the percentage of registered adults by county.
Adding one million names to the state's confidential database will bring Michigan in line with the national average of 39 percent. Just 24 percent of drivers here have signed the registry.
Part of the reason Michigan lags behind other states: Most residents aren't aware that signing the back of a Michigan driver's license or state ID isn't enough to be a donor anymore. Since 2007, residents must join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry here on this Web site, by calling 800.482.4881 or by visiting a Secretary of State branch office.
Gift of Life Michigan is working with the Michigan Eye-Bank, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and the Donate Life Coalition of Michigan, among others, to encourage residents to sign up to save and improve lives and pass the word along.
