Do It Now College Program Registers Nearly 125,000 New Organ and Tissue Donors

Kent State University selected as winner

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The need is still great, but thanks to 13 colleges and universities across the State of Ohio, it is projected nearly 125,000 individuals will be added as registered organ and tissue donors in the Ohio Donor Registry.

Funded by the Second Chance Trust Fund, Donate Life Ohio, its affiliated organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and tissue and eye recovery agencies, partnered with the colleges throughout the state to significantly increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors. As part of the statewide initiative, called Do It Now, each group had a specific target for the number of new registrants they were expected to sign up in their communities based on population and opportunity within their respective regions.

After eight months of hard work and many hours within their communities, the students presented the results of their campaigns May 13 and 14. Kent State University was selected as the winner of the Do It Now college program. Students from Kent State's Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter are projected to be credited with more than 12,500 new organ and tissue donors to the Ohio Donor Registry. Kent's PRSSA chapter will be awarded $5,000 for winning the competition and for their efforts during the campaign.

"This was an extremely difficult decision to make," said Chuck Heald, team leader, Donate Life Ohio. "All of the schools should be commended for their efforts, as each school developed unique ways to assist us in our efforts of increasing the number of people on the Ohio Donor Registry.

  Additional awards were given away in the following categories:
    -- Best overall tactical plan ($250) -- College of Business, University
       of Cincinnati
    -- Best presentation ($250) -- Phi Theta Kappa, Sinclair Community
       College
    -- Most creative single execution ($250) -- ImPRessions, Ohio University

"The key criteria for selecting the winner was heavily weighted on execution and results. However, the programs were also judged on research, plan development and presentation," said Heald.

"On behalf of the Second Chance Trust Fund, I want to congratulate all of the schools that participated in the Do It Now college program," said Deborah Henderson, chairperson, Second Chance Trust Fund (SCTF). "Many lessons have been learned throughout the past year and our plan is to build on the momentum and continue to secure more registrations in the days, months and years to come."

Additional schools who participated in the Do It Now college campaign include the Bowling Green State University, Capital University, Miami University, The Ohio State University, the University of Akron, the University of Dayton, the University of Toledo, Xavier University and Youngstown State University.

Judges included members of the Donate Life Ohio Committee, the SCTF and R/P Marketing Public Relations.

The Do It Now college program was a year-long initiative that also included media relations, advertising and a corporate effort. The state initiative was part of a nationally directed goal from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase new organ and tissue donor registrations.

Individuals wanting to register to be an organ or tissue donor can continue to do so online at http://www.donatelifeohio.org/ , by filling out a donor registration form, or by visiting their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

About Donate Life Ohio

About Donate Life Ohio -- Donate Life Ohio is a coalition of the state's organ, tissue and eye recovery agencies dedicated to educating Ohioans about the need for organ and tissue donation. In this effort to increase donor registrations they are joined by the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program and the Miracles for Life Foundation.

About Second Chance Trust Fund

Through contributions made by individuals at Ohio's BMVs while renewing their Ohio driver's licenses, the Second Chance Trust Fund finances educational and action-oriented campaigns like the Do It Now program. A $1 contribution supports donation education in Ohio and gives hope to thousands of Ohioans waiting for a second chance through organ, tissue and eye donation. (1)

  (1) http://www.donatelifeohio.org/_docs/be_a_hero_brochure.pdf

  Contacts:
  Laura Waltz
  R/P Marketing Public Relations
  Phone:  (419) 241-2221
  lwaltz@r-p.com

CONTACT: Laura Waltz, R-P Marketing Public Relations, +1-419-241-2221, lwaltz@r-p.com

Web site: http://www.donatelifeohio.org/ http://www.donatelifeohio.org/_docs/be_a_hero_brochure.pdf

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