Go green at games tonight, Iowa City, Iowa

Lone Tree students promote organ donation

ROB DANIEL • IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN

LONE TREE -- Lone Tree High School students Courtney Burr and Ella Feldman were looking for a project to do for a club competition.

Hearing of a higher-than-average per capita rate of organ transplant recipients in Lone Tree, including Burr's sister, Kaylinn, they decided to raise awareness of organ donation through a "Green Out" at the school's home basketball games tonight against Wapello.

"We know a lot of schools do 'pink out' games for breast cancer," said Burr, 17 and a senior. "We thought this would be different. We know there are so many people in our town who have been affected."

Burr and Feldman are members of their local chapter of FCCLA, or Family Career and Community Leaders of America, and were looking for a project to enter in the FCCLA STAR event competition. The STAR events, or Students Taking Action with Recognition, are ways in "which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation," according to the group's website.

Burr said she remembered her sister, Kaylinn, receiving a kidney transplant at age 7 in 2004 after being diagnosed with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a rare condition that caused kidney problems in children. Kaylinn is doing well today at age 13, Burr said, and is planning to run track for Lone Tree.

Feldman, a sophomore, said they thought of doing an awareness campaign about the need for people to donate their organs after they die to help save others.

That turned into making and selling green hair ties for $5 and green ribbons for $1 to Lone Tree students, with the proceeds benefiting Donor Family Services, which is a support group for families of recipients and promote organ donation awareness.

"They're just little ribbons," said Feldman, 15.

Feldman said that for today'sgames, they are encouraging fans to wear green, with the school's student section, the Lions' Den, also planning something to help out.

Burr said they also will have a special presentation at halftime of either the boys' or girls' game on organ donation, introducing local residents who have had a transplant, as well as giving out informational brochures.

"We're also teaching people," Burr said.

IF YOU GO

• What: "Green Out" games to promote organ donation awareness at Lone Tree High's girls' and boys' home basketball games against Wapello.
• When: Varsity girls' game begins at 6 p.m. today, followed by the boys' games.
• Where: Lone Tree High School gymnasium, 303 S. Devoe St.
• Tickets: $5 for adults, $4 for students. Green ribbons are $1 each, and green hair ties are $5 each.