What's Missing from Your Driver's License or I.D.?

LANSING, MI - Tuesday, April 6, 2010 - Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is asking residents today to look at their driver’s license or state ID and see if there’s a red heart on the front of the card.

If not, Land is urging residents to get one by signing up to be an organ, tissue and eye donor on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.

“Adding your name to the donor registry is an excellent way to help other people and it only takes a minute,” Land said. “One donor can save and enhance the lives of up to 50 people – don’t delay, enroll today.”

The red heart on the front of the your license or state ID card immediately lets emergency responders and hospital staff know of your organ donor wishes. It also eliminates the need to fill out the back of the card. Residents sign up on the donor registry online at www.Michigan.gov/sos or at any Secretary of State office.

Land made her appeal during a morning news conference at Founders Bank & Trust, 5200 Cascade Road S.E. , Grand Rapids , to kick off April as Donate Life Month. Laurie Beard, bank president and CEO, understands the important role of organ, tissue and eye donation. Beard and her family agreed to donation when her son Paul died in 2005. In support, many of Founders Bank & Trust employees have since added their names to the donor registry.

“Registering to become an organ donor is a simple step, but so important in giving back to the community,” Beard said. “Donation is a lasting way to give life to others in need.”

Also speaking at the news conference was Richard Pietroski, executive director of Gift of Life Michigan , and Dave Conrad, radio personality on B-93.7, WBCT-Grand Rapids. Conrad, who is on the waiting list for a kidney, has polycystic kidney disease.

Efforts to promote organ, tissue and eye donation will continue on Wednesday, April 7 when Secretary of State offices across Michigan open their doors from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM for Secretary of State “Buddy Day.” Thanks to the hard work of Gift of Life Michigan , the Michigan Eye-Bank, Lions Club and Hospice of Michigan nearly 400 volunteers or “Buddies” will help answer questions and encourage residents to add their names to the donor registry.

“In Michigan , about 3,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant,” Pietroski said. “These are our family, friends and neighbors. We can help them by getting as many names as possible on the registry. I commend Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and her staff for their dedication to making it easy to add your name to the state’s organ donor registry. Every name on the registry gives someone hope for a new chance at life.”

Hospice of Michigan is new to the campaign this year. Dottie Deremo, president and CEO of Hospice of Michigan, was excited about the opportunity to share with the public the importance of organ, tissue and eye donation.

“Hospice of Michigan is glad to help with this worthy cause,” Deremo said. “Organ, tissue and eye donation isn’t something most people think about until the need arises. People should know that there’s something they can do to help now and that’s to sign up to be an organ donor.”

The Michigan Organ Donor Registry contains about 1.8 million names, or roughly 18 percent of the state’s population. Age or existing health conditions shouldn’t deter anyone from adding their name to the donor registry. A transplant physician evaluates organs and tissues for their suitability.

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’s mission is the restoration of sight. It recovers, evaluates and distributes corneas for transplantation, supports eye and vision research and offers public and professional education on the importance of eye, organ and tissue donation. To learn more, call (800) 247-7250 or visit the organization’s Web site at www.michiganeyebank.org.

Hospice of Michigan provides specialized, compassionate care to people living with advanced chronic illness. Its mission is to ensure quality of life, comfort and peace to each patient during his or her end-of-life experience and to provide support for the patient’s loved ones. For more information, call (888) 247-5181 or visit the Hospice of Michigan Web site at www.hom.org.

For more information about the Department of State organ and tissue donor initiatives, visit www.Michigan.gov/sos.