Competition Aims to Register Organ Donors

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2010) — More than 107,000 individuals in the United States await a life-saving organ transplant. Although a new name is added to the list every 14 minutes, each day 15 to 17 people die due to the lack of a donated organ. To save more lives, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) is challenging University of Kentucky and University of Louisville students to compete to register the most donors during the 11th Annual "11/11 at 11" registry event — Nov. 11 beginning at 11 a.m.

The goal of 11/11 at 11 is to add 1,100 first-time registered donors in Kentucky. UK students can participate by registering during the event on the patio of the University of Kentucky Student Center or online at www.donatelifeky.org. When registering online, click a button to specify which campus the intending donor is affiliated.

According to public education coordinator for KODA, Charlotte Wong, this is KODA's first registry event. About 18 months ago, Kentucky residents could only pledge intent to be a donor, now the registry is legally binding, first person consent.

The campus acquiring the most registered donors will receive a trophy to be presented at the UK vs. UofL men’s basketball game Dec. 31 in Louisville.

During the registry event, educators will be available at the tables to answer questions on organ and tissue donation. Additionally, information is available on the Websie for those who register online.

UK student Katie Raybould has had personal experience with organ donation. "My Uncle became an organ donor at the age of 19 and nine years later our family came full circle when I recieved a life-saving liver transplant at 13 months," Raybould said.

KODA is an independent, non-profit agency dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. It was first established to procure organs and place them with transplant hospitals in order to save lives and educate about organ donation.

For more information on organ and tissue donation or KODA, visit http://kyorgandonor.org/.

For more information about the 11th Annual 11/11 at 11 registry event, contact Charlotte Wong by e-mail at C.Wong@kodaorgan.org.