Student Video at the Heart of Educating Teens About Registering as Donors

NEW ORLEANS, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Do you want to register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor?

Every day, a teen as young as 15-years-old is faced with this very question for the first time at the Office of Motor Vehicles while applying for his/her first driver's license. The Legacy Donor Foundation in collaboration with the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) premiered "Donate Life," a short educational video geared toward teenagers on the truths about organ, eye and tissue donation.

The video, created by young adults for young adults, premiered June 21st at NOCCA's Freda Lupin Memorial Hall, and will be shown in driver's education classes across Louisiana. The video, which is as entertaining as it is informative, will provide those getting their licenses with the accurate information necessary for them to make an informed decision about putting "the sign of the heart" on their license or ID, and registering as donors.

"This was a dynamic partnership between Legacy and NOCCA," said Jeanette Slakey, Executive Director of the Legacy Donor Foundation. "This is about teens reaching out to other teens on a subject as important as saving a life. This is one of the first adult decisions a person will make and we want them to make a well-educated decision."

In the thought-provoking video, written by and starring the students, the students tackle some of the most common myths associated with being a donor. The video not only teaches teens about the truths of organ, eye and tissue donation, it also shows that the worst aspect of organ donation is not having registered donors.

"Not only did NOCCA students have the chance to put their talents to use in crafting the film, but they were also mentored by a team of outstanding professionals," said Sally Perry, Executive Director of The NOCCA Institute. "In the end, this provided them with a great educational opportunity -- and it opened their eyes to the importance of donation, too. We've got some passionate advocates!"

In Louisiana alone, there are nearly 1,800 people waiting for an organ transplant. More than 111,000 names are on the national transplant waiting list. More compelling still is the fact that one donor has the ability to save up to nine lives, restore sight to two people, and heal the lives up to 50 more through tissue donation.

The project, which also includes a spirited music video, was funded by the Legacy Donor Foundation on behalf of Donate Life Louisiana and is doing its part to meet the national goal of 100 million registered donors by the end of 2011.

To view the film or to learn more about how you can register to be an organ donor, visit Donate Life Louisiana at http://donatelifela.org/news/.