February 2, 2017

Annual Gift of Life Campus Challenge aims to sign up new organ donors in honor of Sgt. Collin Rose

Wayne State vying for sixth consecutive win

Wayne State University is defending its long-standing title as the winner of the Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge against 13 other colleges and universities throughout the state. The annual challenge encourages people to sign up for the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, giving hope to those in need of lifesaving organ or life-healing tissue transplants.

​Wayne State has been undefeated since 2012, winning the trophy for adding the most names to the donor registry. Last year alone, the friendly competition added more than 1,500 new names — including 504 from the WSU community — to the state’s donor registry.​ ​

This year, the Wayne State community is encouraged to participate in the Campus Challenge in honor of fallen Sgt. Collin Rose, who in his final act of ​ ​service saved or improved the lives of up to 70 people through organ and tissue donation.

Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, with the support of other student organizations, has led WSU’s efforts in the Campus Challenge through email messages, social media, posters and at donor registry stations across campus. 

Organ donation touches many lives, including that of Alyssa Krieger, a sophomore majoring in marketing management, who is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and a volunteer with Gift of Life Michigan. Krieger became active with the Gift of Life organization after her father, who was an organ donor, passed away when she was 16.​​

“Signing up to be an organ donor is such an easy way to potentially impact a tremendous amount of lives. Through organ donation, an individual can save up to eight lives, while tissue donation can potentially impact 50 or more people,” said Krieger. “It only takes 30 seconds to sign up, but doing so can have such an impact on not only the recipient but also their family, friends and community.”

Approximately 50 percent of Michigan residents have made the decision to be a donor. And, as of Jan. 1, 2017, more than 3,500 Michigan residents are currently waiting for an organ transplant.

To sign up for the donor registry and support Wayne State in the Campus Challenge, visit giftoflifemichigan.org/go/wayne. The competition will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 22. 

Contact

Katie Williams
Phone: 313-577-8094
Email: katie_williams@wayne.edu

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