Marketing association raises awareness for organ donation, Wisconsin

The UW-Whitewater chapter of the American Marketing Association is joining the organ donor awareness initiative in Wisconsin by hosting speakers, making promotional videos, and registering people to be donors.

The initiative, titled AMASavesLives, was founded after organ donation registration moved completely online.

"As of last April, organ donation registration has gone viral," junior AMASavesLives Account Executive Maggie Kessler said. "If you have not renewed your license since then, the orange dot on your license only represents your intent to donate, not your actual consent."

AMA is also hosting a "Greek Challenge," which involves different Greek chapters making videos, registering, and using social media to help AMA promote AMASavesLives. Kessler said they plan to do more events involving residence halls and student organizations.

AMA filmed over 60 videos at its Nov. 5 regional conference, where over 500 people were in attendance, Kessler said. Trey Schwab, former Marquette University assistant men's basketball coach, appeared as a guest speaker at the conference. Schwab spoke about how organ donation saved his life after having a double lung transplant

Kessler said although AMA is a marketing organization, it started AMASavesLives because organ donation awareness has personally touched many AMA members' lives. Two of Kessler's uncles have received an organ donation, Kessler said.

AMASavesLives is now part of the AMA's national conference, any chapter wanting to do well at the national competition has to become very involved with the campaign, Kessler said.

"This ensures that tons of people will register, make videos and use social media to promote the cause because [the national competition] is extremely competitive," Kessler said.

AMA also raises money for charities in its annual charity raffle, Kessler said. The charities receiving the benefits from last year's charity raffle were UNICEF and the American Heart Association.

Kessler said anyone can join AMA, even if you do not have a major or minor in marketing.

AMA members also sit at tables in the University Center and Esker Dining Hall at high traffic times of the day to help people register to become donors, Kessler said. You can also register anytime to be an organ donor at www.AMASavesLives.com under UW-Whitewater's chapter.