Media Alert

[In case of rain, the gathering to take place in the rotunda, which is the covered area directly at the top of the steps.]

*There will be photo opportunities at the conclusion of the event.

Additional information (PDF)

Donate Life Pennsylvania Celebrates National Donate Life Month with a Series of Events and Activities Intended to Increase Donor Designations across the Commonwealth
There is a critical need for more registered organ donors in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA March 30, 2009 – Donate Life Pennsylvania today announced the statewide community outreach efforts intended to promote National Donate Life Month in Pennsylvania.

"April, which is designated National Donate Life Month, is a perfect opportunity to spread the word about the critical need for designated organ donors," said president and CEO of the Center for Organ Recovery and Education, CORE, Susan Stuart. "In Pennsylvania alone there are more than 7,000 men, women and children on the list to receive a life-saving organ. We hope that through education and awareness we can decrease the number of individuals on that list and increase the number of lives saved."

To kick-off the month, on March 31, Donate Life Pennsylvania will host a Candlelight Celebration for Donation. More than 700 supporters and volunteers will each hold a lit candle, with each person representing 10 Pennsylvanians that are currently on the organ transplant waiting list. Nationally, there are more than 100,000 men, women and children on the waiting list--7,130 of these individuals are Pennsylvanians.

"Across the country, between 18 and 20 people die each day while awaiting a life-saving transplant," said state Health Secretary Everette James. "We hope that our efforts will bring much needed attention to organ donation, honoring those individuals who have already registered and donated to those in need while encouraging more citizens to give the gift of life." Department of Health representatives will join Donate Life members and other volunteers on the Capitol steps as a part of the vigil.

The Candlelight Celebration for Donation will recognize and honor those on the waiting list, help drive awareness of the need for designated donors and continue to bring the need of organ donors to the forefront of legislators and the public.

To continue spreading the message about the need for organ and tissue donors, Donate Life Pennsylvania will kick-off a college challenge among students at some of the Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities. The challenge, known as "It’s On!" Campus Challenge will encourage student organizations at various campuses across the state to reach out to fellow students and alumni to register to become designated organ, and tissue donors. Among the activities, students are challenged to plan and participate in are:

• Create a profile on Facebook, MySpace and Flickr
• Create YouTube videos
• Host events at college basketball/baseball games
• Host activities at sorority and fraternity events
• Submit newspaper articles to their campus newspapers

Companies throughout Pennsylvania are encouraged to participate and spread the word about the importance of organ donation and transplantation by participating in Workplace Partners for Life activities. Workplace Partners is a national collaboration with companies and employee groups of all sizes to make information on organ and tissue donation available to employees. Newsletter articles, lunch and learn seminars, meeting with organ and tissue recipients and other engaging activities are just a few ways companies can be involved. By participating in this program, employers can play an important role in inspiring people throughout Pennsylvania to give life by saying yes to organ and tissue donation.

"We hope that through our efforts statewide, we are able to reach every single Pennsylvanian and remind them of the critical need for registered organ and tissue donors," said Gift of Life President and CEO, Howard M. Nathan. "April offers a unique opportunity to reach out to the community and engage everyone in an open dialogue about organ and tissue donation."

Established in 2003, National Donate Life Month, occurring annually in April, is an opportunity to celebrate the generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ and tissue donors. The month-long celebration also provides an ideal platform to encourage others to become registered organ donors.

About CORE

CORE is a regional not-for-profit agency that is the primary call center and intermediary for the organ recovery and allocation process that serves 156 hospitals and more than six million people in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County in New York. CORE has helped to pioneer organ procurement allocation and recovery for this region since it was founded in 1977 as the Pittsburgh Transplant Foundation.

About Gift Of Life

Since 1974, Gift of Life has served as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving transplants in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In that tenure, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 28,000 life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousands of tissue transplants.

To learn more or to register as an organ donor, please log on to www.donatelife-pa.org. Remember, Because Life Begins with You.

Media Contact: Erika Wirkkala 412-512-3179

Minority Organ Transplant Recipients and Living Donors to be Celebrated During Black History Month
Individual stories sought as part of awareness campaign to encourage more individuals to consider organ donation

HARRISBURG, PA January 12, 2009 – As a part of the February 2009 Black History Month celebration, the state Department of Health along with the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) and Gift of Life Donor Program would like to invite living organ donors and transplant recipients to submit their stories and become known as Living History Makers.  "In Pennsylvania, African-Americans represent 20 percent of all transplant procedures performed," Acting Secretary of Health Everette James said. "Unfortunately, this same group does not have a high number of registered organ donors despite the fact that persons of color suffer disproportionately from health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and kidney failure for which a transplant represents a viable medical option."

The Living HistoryMakers program seeks to gather the stories of recipients and living donors of color who have made their own history after receiving or giving this second chance of life. By celebrating these stories of triumph during Black History Month, the hope is to inspire others to sign up as organ donors.

Individuals who have received transplants or who are living donors are invited to submit their stories at www.DonateLife-pa.org, by clicking on the "Living HistoryMakers" icon.  Some stories will be selected for a media campaign, which will take place in February 2009 as a part of Black History Month.

The Living HistoryMakers program is sponsored by the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) and Gift of Life Donor Program. For more information on this initiative or to become an organ donor, call 877-DONOR-PA or visit www.donatelife-pa.org.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

David W. Brown
(215) 893-0606
DBrown@DigBP.com

Faith-Based Organizations Unite in Support of Organ Donation and Transplantation
National Donor Sabbath Weekend Nov. 14-16, 2008

Harrisburg, PA, – October 30, 2008 – To raise awareness about the miracle of life through organ and tissue donation and transplants, faith-based organizations across the country will support National Donor Sabbath Weekend. The three-day observance, which takes place Nov. 14-16, is intended to provide information regarding the process of organ and tissue donation and transplant and the ease in which individuals can become donors.

In an effort to dispel common misperceptions about religion and organ donation, hundreds of churches, temples and mosques throughout Pennsylvania will disseminate information to its congregations about their support of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Many religious leaders will speak directly from the pulpit to their respective members about making a faith-based decision to give the gift of life. Although more and more faith-based organizations participate each year, so does the need for donors. More than 28,000 organ transplants were performed in 2007 thanks to the gifts of more than 14,000 donors. However, there were more than 100,000 people on the organ transplant waiting list just last month.

"In many cases, people still believe they cannot register as organ donors because of the incompatibility of their religion and organ donation. National Donor Sabbath presents an opportunity for people to have an open discussion with their respective religious leaders about this very topic. In the state of Pennsylvania, less than 50 percent of eligible residents are designated donors. With faith-based organizations throughout the state assisting in our efforts, we believe we can increase that number," said Howard M. Nathan, President and CEO of Gift of Life, the organ and tissue procurement organization for the eastern part of Pennsylvania.

"Organ donation can help save and enhance the lives of some 100,000 men, women and children across this country who wouldn't get help otherwise," said Reverend Paul Johnson, of Eighteenth Street Community Church in Altoona, Pennsylvania. "This Sabbath gives us an opportunity to speak with our community members about the incredible miracle of life passed on from one individual to another. It is undeniably the most selfless act of compassion and generosity that one can bestow upon others in need."

Currently, only 43 percent of licensed drivers and photo ID card holders in Pennsylvania are registered organ and tissue donors. If individuals are interested in becoming organ donors, visit www.donatelife-pa.org and answer the three questions listed. The process is meant to take less than 90 seconds.

"We encourage Pennsylvanians to talk to their respective religious leaders about organ donation and transplantation," said CORE President and CEO Susan A. Stuart. "We believe that spiritual guidance will help re-affirm the decision to register to become an organ donor. Through organ and tissue donation, all of us have the opportunity to share our most cherished blessing of all, the miracle of life."

In its 13th year, the annual interfaith celebration of life stresses the importance of organ and tissue donation, addressing the commonly held misconception that many religions frown upon the act. People interested in learning how their place of worship can participate in this year's Donor Sabbath can contact Teresa Rawson at teresa@giantideas.com or by calling (412) 566-5756.

About CORE
CORE is a regional not-for-profit agency that is the primary call center and intermediary for the organ recovery and allocation process that serves 156 hospitals and more than six million people in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County in New York. CORE has helped to pioneer organ procurement allocation and recovery for this region since it was founded in 1977 as the Pittsburgh Transplant Foundation. For more information visit www.core.org.

About Gift Of Life
Since 1974, Gift of Life has served as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving transplants in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In that tenure, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 26,000 life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousand tissue transplants. For more information, visit www.donors1.org

Donate Life PA Torch Run Across the State to Increase Donor Designations
Transplant recipients carry the torch to highlight second chance at life and encourage others to give the give of life

Harrisburg, PA, May 2008 -- The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) in western Pennsylvania, Gift of Life Donor Program in eastern Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health today unveiled the Donate Life PA torch run. The torch run is a series of races throughout the state to highlight the success of transplantation and to encourage all Pennsylvanians to register as organ and tissue donors via an online Web site. The torch will pass through nine major cities in Pennsylvania, culminating in Pittsburgh in time for the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games' opening ceremonies on Saturday, July 12th.

In each city, the torch will arrive carried by transplant recipients and donor families from local communities whose lives have been touched by organ and tissue donation. The torch flame is symbolic of the life that continues to burn due to the selfless acts of kindness by organ and tissue donors each year in the commonwealth. The torch bearers will be greeted by local officials and supporters who will highlight the importance of individuals to sign up to be organ and tissue donors.

Below is a schedule of the events and their respective locations:

• Scranton, PA – Monday, June 16th
• Johnstown, PA – Monday, June 30th
• Allentown, PA – Tuesday, June 17th
• Altoona, PA – Tuesday, July 1st
• Philadelphia, PA – Monday, June 23rd
• Erie, PA – July 8th
• Harrisburg, PA – Wednesday, June 25
• Pittsburgh, PA – July 11th
• Reading, PA – Thursday, June 26th

The events are free and open to the public. The last Donate Life PA rally will take place in Pittsburgh, PA and will signal the official start of the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games. The Games are organized by the National Kidney Foundation to demonstrate the success of organ and tissue transplantation, honor those who have given the gift of life and call attention to the need for more organ donors.

Currently, only 43 percent of licensed drivers and photo ID card holders in Pennsylvania are registered organ and tissue donors. By logging onto www.donatelife-pa.org, visitors only need to answer three simple questions – a process that takes less than 90 seconds – to become organ donors. Those 90 seconds can help save and enhance the lives of more than 50 men, women and children who are in need of a life-saving organ or tissue transplant.

"We are grateful to those Pennsylvanians who are already registered organ and tissue donors. However, much work still needs to be done. Eighteen people die each day in our country because of a lack of available organs. It is our mission to reach out and educate Pennsylvanians about the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor," said Howard M. Nathan, Gift of Life's president and CEO. "This torch run across the state enables us to spread the word and encourage thousands of Pennsylvanians to sign up today at www.donatelife-pa.org."

"Since our inception in 1977, CORE has remained steadfast in its mission to help bring awareness about the vital importance of organ and tissue donation. We believe the Transplant Games taking place in Pittsburgh offers a perfect opportunity for people to learn more about organ and tissue donation. The athletes, all of them organ recipients, are a testament to why our organization exists and why we must forge ahead to continue to shed light on this important issue," said Susan A. Stuart, CORE president and CEO.

About CORE
CORE is a regional not-for-profit agency that is the primary call center and intermediary for the organ recovery and allocation process that serves 156 hospitals and more than six million people in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County in New York. CORE has helped to pioneer organ procurement allocation and recovery for this region since it was founded in 1977 as the Pittsburgh Transplant Foundation.

About Gift Of Life
Since 1974, Gift of Life has served as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving transplants in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In that tenure, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 26,000 life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousand tissue transplants.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Erika Wirkkala
(412) 586-5800
erika@trecommunications.com

• What:
• CORE's (The Center for Organ Recovery & Education) Take Action Now event to encourage people to sign up online today to become an organ and tissue donor during National Donate Life Month in April.
  
• When:
• Wednesday, April 30th from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  
• Where:
• Crazy Mocha Coffee Company
  801 Liberty Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA
  (412) 281-3940
  
• What:
• Staff and volunteers from CORE will be demonstrating how to register to become an organ donor by using the new secure on-line web portal at www.donatelife-pa.org. Organ donor families and transplant recipients will also be on hand for interviews and to share their personal stories on how donation and transplantation has impacted their lives.
  
• Why:
• Currently, 6,870 Pennsylvanians await a life-saving transplant, and only 43 percent of licensed drivers and photo ID card holders in Pennsylvania are registered organ donors ? a number that organ donation officials would like to see dramatically increased in 2008. People who sign up online will help to reach that goal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Teresa Rawson
(412) 566-5756

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CORE's Take Action Now event
Crazy Mocha Media Alert

• What:
• The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is partnering with the Crazy Mocha Coffee Company to promote the importance of signing up to be an organ and tissue donor. Eight Crazy Mocha stores in the greater Pittsburgh region will feature brochures and other promotional materials from CORE which provide information about how to sign up online to become an organ and tissue donor at www.donatelife-pa.org.
  
• Why:
• Currently, 6,870 Pennsylvanians await a life-saving transplant, and only 43 percent of licensed drivers and photo ID card holders in Pennsylvania are registered organ donors ? a number that organ donation officials would like to see dramatically increased in 2008.
  
• When:
• Monday, April 28th through Sunday, May 4th at the Crazy Mocha locations listed below:
  
• Where:
• Crazy Mocha Locations:
  801 Liberty Ave. (Cultural District)
  429 Forbes Ave (Allegheny Building)
  2 PPG Place (located in Market Qquare)
  5830 Ellsworth Ave (Shadyside)
  4525 Liberty Ave. (Bloomfield)
  207 Oakland Ave. (Oakland)
  4032 Butler Street (Lawrenceville)
  2809 East Carson Street (Southside)
  
• Drawing:
• Crazy Mocha customers will have the opportunity to enter a drawing at the above locations to win "Cup on Ken" cards which entitle the winners to free beverages at Crazy Mocha.
• Media Event:
• A special media event will be held at the 801 Liberty Avenue Crazy Mocha location on Wednesday, April 30th from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Representatives from CORE, donor families and recipients will be available for interviews. Photo opportunity available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Teresa Rawson
(412) 566-5756

Call to Action During National Donate Life Month in April
Pennsylvanians Urged to Sign Up Online and Save Lives

Harrisburg, PA, – April 9, 2008 – Statewide organ donation groups are celebrating National Donate Life Month in April, urging Pennsylvanians who are not currently registered as organ donors to sign up online and save lives. Currently, 6,870 Pennsylvanians await a life-saving organ transplant, of the total 98,634 waiting nationwide. Only 43 percent of licensed drivers and photo ID card holders in Pennsylvania are registered organ donors, a number that organ donation officials would like to see dramatically increased in 2008.

"Give others a second chance at living. Organ donors are urgently needed and signing up is easier than ever," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin B. Johnson. "A few clicks online is all it takes. Millions of Pennsylvanians have chosen to give life to others. Sign up today."

The Web portal, www.donatelife-pa.org, links visitors to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Driver and Vehicle Services Web site, where they can add the organ donor designation using the online service. The entire process, which can be done on a secured website instead of waiting until their driver's license or photo ID care is up for renewal, takes on average less than 90 seconds, and has the potential to save and enhance more than 50 lives.

The Web portal was developed as part of the "Life Begins with You" campaign, a collaborative educational and outreach effort to encourage individuals to say "yes" to organ and tissue donation. The campaign is sponsored by the Departments of Health and Transportation, the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) in western Pennsylvania, and Gift of Life Donor Program in eastern Pennsylvania.

"Currently, 43 percent of licensed drivers and photo ID card holders in Pennsylvania are registered organ donors," said Howard M. Nathan, Gift of Life's president and CEO. "We encourage other people who were considering becoming an organ and tissue donor to sign up today during National Donate Life Month ? either online or at their local DMV ? and say yes to organ and tissue donation."

"Most people support organ and tissue donation," said Susan A. Stuart, president and CEO of CORE. "We're hoping that many of those individuals who have not yet signed up to be designated donors take a few moments to sign up on our new web portal at www.donatelife-pa.org sometime during National Donate Life Month and show their support."

CORE is a regional not-for-profit agency that is the primary call center and intermediary for the organ recovery and allocation process that serves 156 hospitals and more than six million people in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County in New York. CORE has helped to pioneer organ procurement allocation and recovery for this region since it was founded in 1977 as the Pittsburgh Transplant Foundation.

Since 1974, Gift of Life has served as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving transplants in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In that tenure, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 26,000 life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousand tissue transplants.

Funding for the Web portal was provided from the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund.

National Donor Sabbath Promotes Importance of Becoming an Organ Donor
Faith-Based Groups Educate Individuals about the Benefits of Organ Donation

Harrisburg, PA, – October 31, 2007 – Statewide organ donation groups will be encouraging individuals to sign up as organ and tissue donors during National Donor Sabbath 2007, which takes place Friday, November 9 through Sunday, November 11. National Donor Sabbath brings together religious and transplant communities to raise awareness of the urgent need for organ and tissue donors, and to dispel fears about the incompatibility of religion and donation.

"Every major religion in the United States supports organ and tissue donation as one of the highest expressions of compassion and generosity," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin B. Johnson. "It is unlikely, however, that most people have heard their religious leaders speak out about this critical issue. We hope to educate more people about the benefits of becoming an organ and tissue donor during National Donor Sabbath."

National Donor Sabbath enables houses of worship to intensify their educational efforts to promote an understanding of organ and tissue donation. All faith-based groups are invited to take part in National Donor Sabbath, a time for religious reflection and discussion regarding the life-saving decision to donate.

"We believe that National Donor Sabbath is an important time to talk with the members of our congregation, and to dispel myths they may have about organ donation and religion," said Rabbi Bison, senior rabbi of Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh. "The gift of organ donation is a tremendous way to help other individuals who are in need. And the best way to help these people is to sign up to become an organ donor today."

"Our message to members of our congregation is that organ and tissue donation is a way to truly give the gift of life," said Reverend Thomas Jackmon, Sr., pastor of Tindley Temple United Methodist Church in Philadelphia. "We encourage our parishioners to make a faith-based decision and sign up today to be organ donors and to help spread the word to their friends and family."

Recently, statewide organ donation groups formally unveiled a Web portal that enables individuals to sign up as organ donors online ? rather than waiting until their driver's license or photo ID card is up for renewal or visiting a driver's license center in person.

The Web portal, www.donatelife-pa.org, links visitors to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Driver and Vehicle Services Web site, where they can add the organ donor designation using the online service. The entire process takes on average less than 90 seconds, is completely secure and has the potential to save and enhance more than 50 lives.

The Web portal was developed as part of the "Life Begins with You" campaign, a collaborative educational and outreach effort to encourage individuals to say "yes" to organ and tissue donation. The campaign is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Transportation, the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) in western Pennsylvania, and Gift of Life Donor Program in eastern Pennsylvania. This Web site requires sending certain personal or private information (e.g., social security number, etc.) ? therefore, to ensure that this site is a secure site, PennDOT has taken several steps to assure that its customers' confidential information is secure when performing an online transaction.

Currently, 6,730 Pennsylvanians await a life-saving organ transplant, of the total 97,059 waiting nationwide. The number of organ donors has nearly doubled since 1994 ? the year Pennsylvania's Act 102 that helped regulate donation was enacted ? growing to 587 statewide in 2006. But CORE and Gift of Life's collective work is far from complete, and 2007 will see a continued focus on more lives being saved.

"National Donor Sabbath is an ideal time for individuals to learn how their religion supports organ donation and to make the decision to save lives," said Howard M. Nathan, Gift of Life's president and CEO. "Thanks to our new web portal, anyone can go sign up to be an organ donor online -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just click on the ?Sign Up Now' button on www.donatelife-pa.org and in 90 seconds, you can register to help save 50 lives."

"We've learned that many individuals seek guidance from religious leaders when making the decision to donate," said Susan A. Stuart, president and CEO of CORE. "National Donor Sabbath is a weekend-long observance that provides information and ideas for faith-based groups to participate in this important initiative."

CORE is a regional not-for-profit agency that is the primary call center and intermediary for the organ recovery and allocation process that serves 156 hospitals and more than six million people in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County in New York. CORE has helped to pioneer organ procurement allocation and recovery for this region since it was founded in 1977 as the Pittsburgh Transplant Foundation.

Since 1974, Gift of Life has served as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving transplants in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In that tenure, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 25,000 life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousand tissue transplants.

Funding for the Web portal was provided from the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund.

Web Portal Makes Organ Donation Easy
Signing Up Online Simplifies the Donor Designation Process and Saves Lives

Harrisburg, PA, – August 20, 2007 – Statewide organ donation groups today formally unveiled a Web portal that will enable individuals to sign up as organ donors online ? rather than waiting until their driver's license or photo ID card is up for renewal or visiting a driver's license center in person.

The Web portal, www.donatelife-pa.org, will link visitors to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Driver and Vehicle Services Web site, where they can add the organ donor designation using the online service. The entire process takes on average less than 90 seconds, and has the potential to save and enhance more than 50 lives.

The Web portal was developed as part of the ‘Life Begins with You' campaign, a collaborative educational and outreach effort to encourage individuals to say ‘yes" to organ and tissue donation. The campaign is sponsored by the Departments of Health and Transportation, the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) in western Pennsylvania, and Gift of Life Donor Program in eastern Pennsylvania.

‘We believe it is time to make the process of signing up to be a designated organ donor easier, so that the potential of more lives being saved is increased,' said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin B. Johnson.

Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler said PennDOT is honored to support these life-saving organizations by offering this online service.

‘Currently, 43 percent of licensed drivers and photo ID card holders in Pennsylvania are registered organ donors,' he said. ‘The online registration option is a quick and easy way for Pennsylvania's licensed drivers and photo ID card holders to give the gift of life ? it's the greatest gift anyone can give.'

Currently, 6,730 Pennsylvanians await a life-saving organ transplant, of the total 95,323 waiting nationwide. The number of organ donors has nearly doubled since 1994 ? the year Pennsylvania's Act 102 that helped regulate donation was enacted ? growing to 587 statewide in 2006. But CORE and Gift of Life's collective work is far from complete, and 2007 will see a continued focus on more lives being saved.

‘We know most people support organ donation ? and we want to let everyone know they now have the ability to go online today 24 hours a day, seven days a week and put the designation on their driver's license or photo ID card," said Howard M. Nathan, Gift of Life's president and CEO. "Just click on the ?Sign Up Now' button on www.donatelife-pa.org and in 90 seconds, you can register to help save 50 lives.'

‘We are delighted to be able to offer individuals an easy, convenient way to sign up to be an organ donor,' said Susan A. Stuart, president and CEO of CORE. ‘We believe the simplicity and ease of the sign-up process will result in many more organ donors in our state.'

CORE is a regional not-for-profit agency that is the primary call center and intermediary for the organ recovery and allocation process that serves 156 hospitals and more than six million people in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County in New York. CORE has helped to pioneer organ procurement allocation and recovery for this region since it was founded in 1977 as the Pittsburgh Transplant Foundation.

Since 1974, Gift of Life has served as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving transplants in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In that tenure, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 25,000 life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousand tissue transplants.

Funding for the Web portal was provided from the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund.

Web Portal Makes Organ Donation Easy
Signing Up Online Simplifies the Donor Designation Process and Saves Lives

Philadelphia, PA, – May 30, 2007 – Statewide organ donation groups today formally unveiled a web portal that will enable individuals to sign up as organ donors online ? rather than having to wait for a new driver?s license or visit the DMV in person. The web portal, www.donatelife-pa.org, will link visitors to the Department of Transportation?s PennDOT website, where they can add the donor designation by entering their driver?s license/photo ID number, date of birth and the last four digits of their social security number. The entire process takes an average of less than 90 seconds, and could save and enhance more than 50 lives.

The web portal was developed as part of the "Life Begins with You" campaign, a collaborative educational and outreach effort to encourage individuals to say "yes" to organ and tissue donation. The campaign is sponsored by the Departments of Health and Transportation, the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) in western Pennsylvania, and Gift of Life Donor Program in eastern Pennsylvania.

"A recent Gallop poll has shown that more than 90% of Americans believe in the power of saving lives through organ and tissue donation," said Governor Edward G. Rendell. "We believed that it was time to make the process of signing up to be a designated organ donor as simple as possible, so that more lives can be saved. Currently, only 43% of Pennsylvanians who are registered drivers are designated as organ donors ? we?d like that number to increase substantially over the next three years."

Currently, 6,730 Pennsylvanians await a life-saving organ transplant, of the total 95,323 waiting nationwide. The number of organ donors has nearly doubled since 1994 ? the year Pennsylvania?s Act 102 that helped regulate donation was enacted ? growing to 587 statewide in 2006. But CORE and Gift of Life?s collective work is far from complete, and 2007 will see a continued focus on more lives being saved.

"We know most people support donation ? and we want to let everyone know that they now have the ability to go online today 24 hours a day, seven days a week and put the designation on their license or state ID," said Howard M. Nathan, Gift of Life?s President and CEO. "Just click on the ?Sign Up Now? button on www.donatelife-pa.org and in 90 seconds, you can register to help save 50 lives."

"We are delighted to be able to offer individuals an easy, convenient way to sign up to be an organ donor," said Susan Stuart, President and CEO of CORE. "We believe that the simplicity and ease of the sign-up process will result in many more organ donors in our state."

CORE is a regional not-for-profit agency that is the primary call center and intermediary for the organ recovery and allocation process that serves 156 hospitals and more than six million people in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County in New York. CORE has helped to pioneer organ procurement allocation and recovery for this region since it was founded in 1977 as the Pittsburgh Transplant Foundation.

Since 1974, Gift of Life has served as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving transplants in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In that tenure, the OPO has coordinated more than 25,000 life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousand tissue transplants.

Aug. 1 is National Minority Donor Awareness Day
As Numbers of Minorities on the Transplant Waiting List Rise,
Efforts to Reach These Communities Increase in Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA – July 25, 2006 – Pennsylvania's Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) are observing National Minority Donor Awareness Day on Aug. 1 by reaching out to minority communities in an effort to educate and raise awareness about this important health issue.

The Multicultural Affairs Committee of Gift of Life Donor Program (GOL), the OPO serving the eastern half of Pennsylvania, is sponsoring their 10th Annual Gospel Concert and Vigil on July 30, 6 p.m., at Sharon Baptist Church, 3955 Conshohocken Ave., Philadelphia. The concert features special guest, EMI recording artist, LaShun Pace, the music of the Sharon Baptist Mass choir and the comedy of Stan "The Man" Jacobs. Ed Long of Praise 103.9 radio will emcee the event.

"There are many myths and misconceptions about organ and tissue donation, especially within the African American community," said Tina Evans-Caines, Community Relations Coordinator, GOL. "Through community-based special events like the Gospel Concert, we continue to raise awareness, which is so critical because African Americans are at high risk for health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity and diabetes, all of which can lead to the need for an organ transplant, especially kidney transplants," she added, "In our region African Americans represent 40% of the patients awaiting a kidney transplant."

In western Pennsylvania, The Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE), is reaching out to establish partnerships with minority organizations in the community, to conduct joint programming.

One person working as part of CORE's volunteer effort is Karen Henderson, who understands first-hand the importance and impact of organ and tissue donation after the death of her 17 year-old son, Thomas. He was a straight-A student, debater, track star and student leader who was preparing applications to Ivy League universities and military academies when an automobile accident, in August 2003, claimed his life on the first day of his senior year in high school.

"Of course I would love my son to still be here, but our family's decision to donate has given me peace. I think Tom's simple act of ‘signing up' to become an organ donor taught us to share what we had been given – the gift of life. Because organ donation is a gift of unselfish love, my family is most proud and honored to say, ‘Tom was an organ donor.'" His donations restored the sight of two people and improved the lives of many others. His legacy continues as Henderson actively shares her story to encourage organ donation, particularly within the African American community.

National Minority Donor Awareness Day is an important opportunity to educate and raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. Across Pennsylvania, approximately 6,500 people are awaiting an organ transplant. Of those, twenty-seven percent are African American, an increase of two percent in the past 12 months. This statistic is disproportionately high since African Americans represent only 10 percent of Pennsylvania's overall population. Nationally, minority patients comprise more than half of the 92,000 patients on the transplant waiting list, according to data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

For more information, call 1-877-DONOR-PA or visit www.donatelife-pa.org to find the closest driver's license center where you can add the donor designation to your driver's license or state identification card.

NEW ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR BROCHURE PROVIDES
REASSURANCE FOR MEMBERS OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
Aims to Dispel Common Myths

HARRISBURG, PA – May 31, 2006 – Many myths exist about organ and tissue donation, but one of the most common is that some religions object to it. That's why the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) – serving western Pennsylvania – and Gift of Life Donor Program – serving eastern Pennsylvania – have created a new brochure titled, "A Faith-Based Decision: Religious Perspectives on Organ & Tissue Donation," to reach out to the religious community.

"The single-largest problem confronting organ donation is the shortage of suitable organs for transplant," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin B. Johnson. "One way to help increase the number of organs that are available for transplant and extend the lives of those in need is by educating religious leaders and their congregation about the benefits of being an organ donor," he added.

In Pennsylvania alone, 6,500 people are currently on the transplant waiting list. Across the country, 17 people die each day while awaiting a transplant. The brochure educates the public about religious perspectives on donation, and includes information about 22 different religious views, from AME and Catholic to Islam, Jewish, Lutheran and United Methodist.

Bishop Ernest C. Morris, Sr.D.D., former president, Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, who is quoted in the pamphlet noted, "In view of the wonderful advancements made in medical science concerning organ and tissue donation, God has shown favor in this area and I believe that He is pleased when we help to bring forth life and a better quality of life through donation." This perspective is echoed by Bishop Anthony G. Bosco, Bishop Emeritus, Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, who stated, "Many devout people believe that God is the creator of all life and has given us bodies which, in a sense, are on loan to enable us to do good. One of the greatest gifts we can give when our body is no longer animated is to pass on the gift of God to another child of God. Our gift helps them to continue giving."

"Since individuals often turn to their clergy for guidance with important end-of-life decisions, our hope is that Pennsylvania religious leaders will join us in educating and reassuring members of their congregations that organ donation is the supreme act of charity. We invite them to encourage their congregants to add the organ donor designation to their driver's license or state identification card," said Susan Stuart, president and CEO of CORE.

The brochures are being distributed free-of-charge through faith-based and community organizations. To receive a copy, or learn more about organ and tissue donation, call 1-877-DONOR-PA or visit www.donatelife-pa.org.

PHILADELPHIA RESIDENT GIVES THE GIFT OF HOPE, SAVES SIX LIVES
Mother Donates Son's Organs at Time of Death

PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEB. 1, 2006 – When Cynthia London's youngest son was born in 1975, she named him Sipho Themble, a South African name that means gift of hope. Eight years ago, the meaning of Sipho's (pronounced SEE-po) name took on far-reaching implications when he became an organ donor.

In March of 1997, 22-year-old Sipho was shot, leaving him brain dead. Even in her time of grief, London knew that her son would want to help others by becoming an organ and tissue donor. "Sipho's death was senseless. He was a strong, athletic young man with everything in the world to live for, and all good things ahead of him. The only good that could come out of this tragedy was for his organs to give hope to others," said London.

London has met several of the recipients of her son's organs, including the 55-year-old man who got his heart. "I've met him and his family, and we've formed a close bond," she said. As a way to come to terms with her loss, London became involved as a volunteer with Gift of Life Donor Program, the organ procurement organization serving eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware, and tells her story to others. "Donor family members always have sad stories," she said. "We've lost a loved one at a crucial time in his or her life. But for me, Sipho's organ and tissue donation gives meaning to his death."

London, who is an application specialist for the Philadelphia Housing Authority, is now a board member for Gift of Life. She has two other grown children, and is also involved in the life of Amira, Sipho's daughter, who is now 13. "She doesn't really remember her daddy, which makes me sad. But we work hard to keep his spirit alive."

Beginning during Black History Month in February and continuing through the end of April, Sipho's picture will be featured in a 14' x 48' billboard on I-95 near the exit approaching Girard and Lehigh Avenues as part of Life Begins with You, the statewide organ and tissue donor awareness campaign featuring actual drivers' license photos of organ donors. With more than 6,500 Pennsylvanians awaiting life-saving organ transplants, and thousands more hoping for life-enhancing tissue transplants, the campaign's goal is to raise awareness, increase the percentage of registered organ and tissue donors throughout the state, and increase calls and referrals to 1-877-DONOR-PA.

The campaign is conducted by Gift of Life Donor Program, in partnership with the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (the other organ procurement organization serving Pennsylvania) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

For more information about organ and tissue donation and to learn how you can help, call 1-877-DONOR-PA or visit the campaign Web site at www.donatelife-pa.org. More information is also available at www.donors1.org.

Cynthia London, and representatives of Gift of Life Donor Program, are available for interviews. Please e-mail Lana Weinstein lana@toplin.com or Megan Smith megan@toplin.com or call 215-793-4666. Stand–ups or photo shoots can also be arranged near a billboard on Cottman Ave., east of Large St.

HELP PENNSYLVANIANS AWAITING A LIFE-SAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANT -
YOUR STATE INCOME TAX RETURN CAN BRING HOPE AND SAVE LIVES
Check the Box and Give $1 to Raise Awareness about Organ and Tissue Donation

HARRISBURG, PA – January 30, 2006 – With tax season quickly approaching, consider making a difference for the 6,500 Pennsylvanians currently on the transplant waiting list by contributing $1 to the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund. Simply check the contribution box on the bottom of your Pennsylvania income tax form and include a dollar when you file.

The Trust Fund, established in 1995 to increase organ and tissue donation by means of education and public awareness activities, has had measurable effects on public perception. At a time when 17 people in the U.S. die each day while awaiting a transplant, nearly 43 percent of Pennsylvanians have added the organ donor designation to their driver's licenses, photo identification cards and learner's permits, as of December 2005. But there is still more work to be done to change attitudes and raise awareness.

The ongoing Ordinary People Extraordinary Power campaign, funded solely by private contributions to the Trust Fund, has had a positive impact, with an additional 66,186 people signing up as organ and tissue donors since December 2004. This compelling campaign tells true stories of donor families and transplant recipients, featuring actual drivers' license photos of Pennsylvanians who became organ donors at the time of their deaths. Scheduled to continue through 2006, the campaign includes billboard and radio advertising and special events sponsored by the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) and Gift of Life Donor Program, the two organ procurement organizations serving Pennsylvania.

The campaign is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Pennsylvanians can also add a $1 contribution with their vehicle registration and driver's license applications. To learn more about organ and tissue donation, or to arrange to give a larger contribution to the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund, call 1-877-DONOR-PA or visit www.donatelife-pa.org.