News:

Press Releases

Step Up to Speak Up Events Use Spoken Word and Stepping
to Raise Awareness - March 10, 2010
Give The Ultimate Gift of Love The Valentine's Day - February 5, 2010
African-American Organ and Tissue Donors Changing History - January 25, 2010
Local Houses of Worship Unite in Support of Organ and Tissue Donation - November 13-15, 2009
Candlelight Vigil to Commemorate National Donate Life Month - March 31, 2009
Donate Life Pennsylvania Celebrates National Donate Life Month - March 30, 2009
Minority Organ Transplant Recipients and Living Donors to be Celebrated - January 12, 2009
Faith-Based Organizations Unite in Support of Donation - October 30, 2008
Donate Life PA Torch Run Across the State - May, 2008
Call to Action During National Donate Life Month - April 9, 2008

Media Alert

Step Up to Speak Up Events Use Spoken Word and African-American Greek Tradition of ‘Stepping’ to Raise Awareness for Organ and Tissue Donation

Harrisburg, PA (March 10, 2010) – The tradition of stepping has been a part of the African-American sorority and fraternity experience for decades. Spoken word as a performance art dates back to the legacy of storytelling that has existed for generations.

For the first-time ever, an event that combines these two expressions will be featured as a part of the state’s effort to raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donor designation among African-Americans.

The event, entitled Step Up to Speak Up, will feature step teams from historically African-American fraternities and sororities along with spoken word performers sharing their talents around the importance of organ and tissue donation for African Americans. The events are free with the first one taking place Friday, March 12 in Pittsburgh, 6 – 8 p.m., at August Wilson Center for African American Culture. A second event will occur in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 27, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

“While African Americans make up 11 percent of the state’s overall population, they represent nearly 32 percent of Pennsylvanians waiting for organ donor transplants,” said Department of Health Deputy Secretary Janice P. Kopelman. “People of color also suffer disproportionately from health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and kidney failure for which a transplant represents a viable medical option. These two facts alone speak to the critical need for registered donors from the African-American community in Pennsylvania.”

Step Up to Speak Up is an opportunity for student leaders and members of the spoken word community to educate their peers about the significance of organ donor designation. More than 2,550 African-Americans are in need of organ or tissue transplantation. More than half of these individuals will wait over a year for a transplant, with many waiting for at least five years. Since there is greater likelihood of transplant success among members of the same ethnic and racial group, it is important to continue providing awareness of the need for African-American donors.

Leading up to each event, a donor ambassador will be selected from participating campuses to organize events and educate their fellow students about organ donation and promoting Step Up to Speak Up. While both events are free, tickets will be required for admission.

“I decided to get involved with Step Up to Speak Up to help educate others about the overall importance of organ donation, and more personally, the importance of being an African-American designated organ donor. The opportunity to save a life is the most precious gift you can ever give someone, which is why I decided to become a donor,” added Cory Johnson, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Temple University.

Step Up to Speak Up is part of a statewide Donate Life campaign by the Pennsylvania Department of Health through its two organ procurement organizations [Gift of Life in Philadelphia and the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) in Pittsburgh] to raise awareness for becoming registered as organ and tissue donors within the African-American community.

Statewide retailer Villa is one of the event’s sponsors and will outfit the performers while providing participants who attend with coupons and gift cards for merchandise. For more information about Step Up to Speak Up, visit www.StepUptoSpeakUp.org. For more information about becoming an organ and tissue donor, visit www.donatelife-pa.org.

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 155 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 Donor Program
Since 1974, Gift of Life Donor Program 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 29,000 life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousand tissue transplants. For more information, visit www.donors1.org

Life Begins with You Campaign

The Life Begins with You campaign is a collaborative initiative between Gift of Life Donor Program (GOL), the Center for Organ & Recovery Education (CORE) – the two organ procurement organizations serving Pennsylvania – and the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Transportation. It is funded by state residents through voluntary contributions included with driver’s license renewals, vehicle registrations and state income tax filings. All contributions are used by the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund to educate residents, build awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation, and increase the number of people who sign up to become donors on their driver's license, learner’s permit or state identification card.

One Extraordinary Way to Say Love Life.
When you choose to become an organ and tissue donor, you have the power to give the most precious gift – life. Join the nearly four million Pennsylvanians who have said "yes" to organ and tissue donation by adding the donor designation to your driver’s license, learner's permit or state identification card. Sign up to be an organ and tissue donor today by visiting www.donatelife-pa.org because Life Begins with You.

Contact Information:
Deborah Saline
717.580.8160
dsaline@prworksinc.com

Media Alert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Give The Ultimate Gift of Love The Valentine's Day - February 5, 2010

National Organ Donor Day observance held annually on Valentine’s Day;
shines spotlight on need for more organ donors

HARRISBURG, PA (Feb. 5, 2010) – While many commemorate Valentine’s Day with cards, candy and flowers, Pennsylvanians are encouraged to give the ultimate gift of love by signing up to become organ and tissue donors. With the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Valentine’s Day has been designated as National Organ Donor Day to raise awareness of the lives that can be touched – potentially more than 50 at a time – through one person becoming an organ and tissue donor.

Organ and tissue donation can free people from dialysis treatments, give sight, repair joints or save limbs, help burn victims heal and most importantly save lives. These acts benefit not only the recipient but also their family and friends. In Pennsylvania, nearly 7,900 people are awaiting an organ transplant, while tens of thousands of others wait for a tissue transplant.

“While there is public support for organ and tissue donation, we need more individuals to take that next step of registering to be a donor,” said state Health Secretary Everette James. “Every 11 minutes, a new name is added to the national organ waiting list, yet less than 50 percent of eligible Pennsylvanians are designated organ and tissue donors. We want to remind our residents that in the time it takes to order flowers for Valentine’s Day, you could register and potentially save up to 50 lives.”

“Registering to be an organ and tissue donor is simple,” said Kurt J. Myers, PennDOT’s Deputy Secretary for Safety Administration. “In a mere 90 seconds, Pennsylvanians can add the organ donor designation to their driver’s licenses or state identification cards by visiting www.donatelife-pa.org. Prior to the online service, most residents waited until their driver’s licenses or identification cards were up for renewal every four years before thinking about adding the organ donor designation. The online service makes it easy for Pennsylvanians to show they are willing to give the gift of life.”

Although 85 percent of the commonwealth’s residents support organ donation, and there is strong support from healthcare professionals and all organized religions, in Pennsylvania only about 45 percent of eligible individuals have placed the organ donor designation on their driver’s license or state identification card. Fewer still have discussed the issue with their families.

Howard M. Nathan and Susan Stuart, the presidents and CEO’s of Pennsylvania’s two organ procurement organizations--Gift of Life in Philadelphia and CORE (Center for Organ Recovery and Education in Pittsburgh), respectively--know that education and awareness are essential to encouraging people to sign up to be donors.

“There are more than 6,000 men, women and children in our region who are waiting for a life-saving transplant,” said Nathan. “We offer a wide variety of educational resources and tools for businesses, schools, colleges and universities, churches and synagogues, to help them increase awareness about the critical need for life-saving organs and tissues for transplant.”

Stuart added, “There are many faces of donation. Some are the faces of people waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing transplant. Some are those who can enjoy another day because someone said ’yes‘ to donation. I urge everyone to sign up today to give the gift of life and love by saying yes to donation.”

Life Begins with You Campaign
The Life Begins with You campaign is a collaborative initiative between Gift of Life Donor Program (GOL), the Center for Organ & Recovery Education (CORE) – the two organ procurement organizations serving Pennsylvania – and the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Transportation. It is funded by state residents through voluntary contributions included with driver’s license renewals, vehicle registrations and state income tax filings. All contributions are used by the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund to educate residents, build awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation, and increase the number of people who sign up to become donors on their driver's license, learner’s permit or state identification card.

Contact Information:
Deborah Saline
717.580.8160
dsaline@prworksinc.com

Media Alert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

African-American Organ and Tissue Donors Changing History - January 25, 2010

Black History Month Highlights Need for Donors of Color

HARRISBURG, PA (January 25, 2010) – As the accomplishments and sacrifices of African Americans in Pennsylvania are celebrated during Black History Month, more than 2,550 individuals from the African-American community in need of organ or tissue transplantation face an uncertain future.

A shortage of organ and tissue donors means nearly 60 percent of those needing a transplant will wait for more than a year. Many can expect to wait for more than five years. Waiting for matched organs may mean a recipient will be sicker at the time of transplant or, worse, die waiting.

African Americans in Pennsylvania can change the course of history by becoming organ and tissue donors. One organ and tissue donor can give more than 50 people a second chance at life.

“There is a critical need for registered donors from the African-American community in Pennsylvania,” says Janice P. Kopelman, Deputy Secretary of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for the Pennsylvania Department of Health. “People of color suffer disproportionately from health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and kidney failure. For many, a transplant is a viable medical option.”

While African Americans make up 11 percent of the state’s overall population, they represent 32 percent of Pennsylvanians waiting for organ or tissue transplants. The majority, more than 2,200 African Americans, are waiting for kidney transplants.

Organ and tissue donation is an extraordinary way to impact the lives of others, but many myths and misconceptions can interfere with the decision to sign up to become an organ donor. Organ donation is available to people of all ages and at no cost to their family. The process does not interfere with traditional funeral arrangements and is supported by all major religions. Organ donation takes place only after all efforts to save a life have been exhausted. In addition, organs are matched by factors such as blood and tissue types, organ size, medical urgency, waiting time and geographic location without consideration of wealth or social status.

The following is a list of Pennsylvanians whose lives have been impacted by organ donation:

Diane Royster, of Pittsburgh, is celebrating her 20th year as a liver transplant recipient. Since that time she has worked hard to promote the importance of organ donation within the African-American community through her volunteer work with CORE.

Michelle Smith, of Harrisburg, donated a kidney to her brother who developed health issues following his service in the Vietnam War. Smith has enjoyed watching her brother become an active grandparent.

Philadelphia’s 4th District Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. amidst his work and commitment to the residents of Philadelphia became a liver kidney donor to his younger brother. By giving this gift of life, the Councilman was able to aide in his brother’s speedy and healthy recovery.

Becoming an organ and tissue donor is as simple as adding the donor designation to your driver’s license, learner's permit or state identification card. Sign up at your local Department of Motor Vehicles or by visiting www.donatelife-pa.org because Life Begins with You.

About Gift of Life Donor Program
Since 1974, Gift of Life Donor Program 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 thousand tissue transplants. For more information, visit www.donors1.org

Contact Information:
Deborah Saline
717.580.8160
dsaline@prworksinc.com

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Local Houses of Worship Unite in Support of Organ and Tissue Donation

National Donor Sabbath Weekend Nov. 13-15, 2009

HARRISBURG, PA (Oct. 30, 2009) – Members of faith-based communities across the state will recognize the most precious gift of life-saving efforts - through organ and tissue donations during National Donor Sabbath weekend. This three-day inclusive observance, which occurs annually during the second weekend of November, is a special time for religious leaders to educate their congregations about the importance of organ and tissue donation and the critical need for more donors.

"National Donor Sabbath presents an ideal opportunity for individuals to learn how their religion supports organ donation and to make the spiritual decision to help save lives," said Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) president and CEO Susan A. Stuart. "We urge residents to talk to their respective religious leaders and consider making the decision to become an organ and tissue donor."

Donate Life Pennsylvania brings together religious and transplant communities during this weekend to dispel fears about the perception of the incompatibility of religious beliefs and organ donation. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and National Donate Life America, every organized religion views organ and tissue donation as a positive expression of faith.

Nationally, more than 28,000 people received an organ transplant in 2008, thanks to the gifts of over 14,200 donors. However, nearly 104,000 citizens across the country still wait for a transplant. In October 2007, 97,678 individuals designated themselves as organ and tissue donors in Pennsylvania. Within a year, that number increased to 104,980 registered donors.

"Each day 18 people die because of the shortage of available organs for transplant,” said Howard M. Nathan, Gift of Life’s (GOL) president and CEO. “Every 11 minutes, a new name is added to the national organ waiting list. Yet less than 50 percent of eligible Pennsylvanians are designated organ and tissue donors. With faith-based organizations across the state joining together, we believe we can help people understand the importance of donation and that their religion does support such a decision."

National Donor Sabbath, which is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is now in its 14th year of promoting the interfaith celebration of life and the importance of organ and tissue donation. To sign up to be an organ and tissue donor or to receive more information about religious perspectives on donation, visit www.donatelife-pa.org.

Candlelight Vigil to Commemorate National Donate Life Month

Volunteers Needed to 'Celebrate Life' On Capitol Steps

HARRISBURG--In honor of National Donate Life Month which takes place in April, more than 700 men, women and children will gather at dusk on the steps of the Capitol building to commemorate the 7,130 Pennsylvanians currently waiting for a life saving transplant. Each person will hold a candle, and each candle will represent 10 people currently waiting for a second chance at life. Speakers from CORE and Gift of Life Donor Program, as well as recipients and donor families will share their story.

Any one interested in participating in the vigil, can contact Jen Franz at (412) 979-5705. Media inquiries can be forwarded to Erika Wirkkala at (412) 512-3179.

EVENT: Representatives from Donate Life Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, school and community groups to kick-off National Donate Life Month during Candlelight Celebration for Donation.

DATE: Tuesday, March 31

TIME: 7 p.m.

LOCATION: On the front steps (Third St. Side) of the Capitol building, Harrisburg, PA

[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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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