The week of April 17-23 was National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week. The week was designed to raise public awareness about the ever-growing need for organ and tissue donors. Currently, more than 35,000 people nationally are waiting for a life-saving transplant. In Utah, there are over 200 people waiting.
To help raise awareness about the need for organ and tissue donation, students and student organizations on the campuses of Brigham Young University, Utah State University and Weber State University helped coordinate a number of activities.I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Newman, Eric Simonsen and the BYU Public Relations Student Society of America for all of their hard work. Also, thanks to BYU President Rex Lee and coach LaVell Edwards for taking time out of their busy schedules to sign the witness line on donor cards of participating students.
At Weber State University, I would like to thank Troy Christopulos and the students of Human Corp. for all of their help in getting donor information out to the students at Weber State.
At Utah State University, Alex Mohr was able to coordinate an event in which President George Emert and coach Charlie Weatherbie were on hand to sign the witness line on donor cards. Alex also arranged to have an informational booth set up to distribute information as well.
Thanks to all who helped during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week. Your work is greatly appreciated.
Alex McDonald
Intermountain Organ Recovery System
Salt Lake City