Student-Led Project Seeks Names for Organ Donor Registry, Springfield, Missouri
Reported by: Kate Stacy | The Ozarks.com
Springfield, MO) -- They'd like your autograph. You might not think you're famous, but students at Missouri State University say it's all relative.
Across the country, more than 100,000 patients are waiting for organ transplants. Here at home, the simple act of joining a registry makes you a star to at least 50 other people.
A group of students at MSU behind the X-50 Project are in search of organs.
"Our goal is between 1,500 and 1,800," says student Mandy Kisker. "A person can save or improve 50 lives when they become a donor."
For now, those names are represented by flags flying at St. John's Hospital. It says the results will be seen in real lives.
"In 2009, we had 39 brain dead patients that were eligible for donation," says Kurt Abbey, St. John's Neurotrauma ICU Nursing Director.
Of those, 125 organs were transplanted and saved lives.
It's not always a gift that's easy to give. It's why Abbey says this effort's so important.
"This is very unplanned for the family and they're faced with another decision," he says. "Whereas if a person is on a registry, that consent has already been made."
Consent these students say they're glad to get.
"It's so much more than getting an A," says Kisker. "It's more than promoting a product. It's going to be something I always remember."
So far, more than 700 people have joined the effort. The students' project wraps up Monday, but they're still looking for signatures this weekend.
A benefit concert is slated from 7-11 p.m. Friday at the Front Porch at 310 South Avenue. Another is set from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Nathan P. Murphy's at 218 S. Campbell. Both aim to bring awareness and more donors.
You can also get involved online. Click here for the group's facebook page.
Also, heads-up to people who are already organ donors. In August 2008, Missouri law strengthened the registry.
It became a first-person consent registry, which means your decision is final and will be honored. Family consent's no longer needed.
So, if your enrollment pre-dates the new law, you should look into enrolling again for that first-person consent status.
Across the country, more than 100,000 patients are waiting for organ transplants. Here at home, the simple act of joining a registry makes you a star to at least 50 other people.
A group of students at MSU behind the X-50 Project are in search of organs.
"Our goal is between 1,500 and 1,800," says student Mandy Kisker. "A person can save or improve 50 lives when they become a donor."
For now, those names are represented by flags flying at St. John's Hospital. It says the results will be seen in real lives.
"In 2009, we had 39 brain dead patients that were eligible for donation," says Kurt Abbey, St. John's Neurotrauma ICU Nursing Director.
Of those, 125 organs were transplanted and saved lives.
It's not always a gift that's easy to give. It's why Abbey says this effort's so important.
"This is very unplanned for the family and they're faced with another decision," he says. "Whereas if a person is on a registry, that consent has already been made."
Consent these students say they're glad to get.
"It's so much more than getting an A," says Kisker. "It's more than promoting a product. It's going to be something I always remember."
So far, more than 700 people have joined the effort. The students' project wraps up Monday, but they're still looking for signatures this weekend.
A benefit concert is slated from 7-11 p.m. Friday at the Front Porch at 310 South Avenue. Another is set from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Nathan P. Murphy's at 218 S. Campbell. Both aim to bring awareness and more donors.
You can also get involved online. Click here for the group's facebook page.
Also, heads-up to people who are already organ donors. In August 2008, Missouri law strengthened the registry.
It became a first-person consent registry, which means your decision is final and will be honored. Family consent's no longer needed.
So, if your enrollment pre-dates the new law, you should look into enrolling again for that first-person consent status.
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