–Month-long Observance Encourages West Virginians to Register to Become Organ Donors –

Pittsburgh, April 2, 2014 – More than 120,000 people across the country are awaiting an organ transplant, and at least 18 will die without receiving one. In West Virginia, more than 800 people are on the waiting list. The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is joining the organ donation community in April by celebrating National Donate Life Month. CORE is encouraging West Virginians to register to become organ, tissue and cornea donors and to learn about the gift of donation by attending awareness events across the state. As part of this observance:

• Thursday, April 3 kicks off an awareness and fundraising campaign in 56 area Wendy’s® restaurants. Donate Life West Virginia, a statewide initiative consisting of the four organ procurement organizations (OPOs) that serve West Virginia, has partnered with Wendy’s to promote organ donation. A kickoff event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wendy’s in Ripley, WV. and will include a flag raising ceremony with dignitaries and remarks by restaurant manager and donor mom, Lisa Johnson.
• Friday, April 11 is National Blue and Green Day, a national initiative to get people talking about organ donation, why it is important, and how easy it is to sign up and become a donor. Individuals are encouraged to wear blue and green to show their support. Show your support and share your photos on social media using the hashtag #BlueAndGreen2014.
• On Thursday, April 24, from 4-8 p.m., 10% of all sales from 56 participating Wendy’s will benefit Donate Life West Virginia donor awareness programs and donor family resources. For a list of participating restaurants, visit Donate Life West Virginia’s Facebook page. Also learn more about organ donation and Wendy’s manager Lisa Johnson’s inspirational story about her daughter Nicole’s lifesaving gifts.

“We are pleased to celebrate National Donate Life Month this April, and are especially proud to join Donate Life West Virginia and Wendy’s to honor families like donor mom Lisa Johnson who have saved lives through the gift of organ, tissue and cornea donation,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO of CORE. “The urgent need for transplants far exceeds the number of organs, tissues and corneas that are donated. One of our goals is to help people understand the importance of becoming an organ, tissue and cornea donor. Registering only takes about 30 seconds, but it can make the difference of a lifetime.”

Individuals are encouraged to talk with family members and friends about making the pledge to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. For more information about organ, tissue and cornea donation, visit CORE’s website at www.core.org. To become a registered donor, visit http://www.donatelifewv.org.

Show your support and share your photos on social media this month using the hashtag #BlueandGree2014.

About CORE
The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of 58 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States. CORE works closely with donor families and designated health care professionals to coordinate the surgical recovery of organs, tissues and corneas for transplantation. CORE also facilitates the computerized matching of donated organs and placement of corneas. With headquarters in Pittsburgh and an office in Charleston, West Virginia, CORE oversees a region that encompasses 155 hospitals and almost six million people throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County, NY. For more information, visit www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.

About Donate Life West Virginia
Donate Life West Virginia is comprised of four federally-designated organ procurement organizations (OPOs) that are dedicated to promoting and coordinating the donation of organs and tissue for transplantation – Center for Organ Recovery & Education, Lifeline of Ohio, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates and LifeNet Health. Throughout the year, Donate Life West Virginia works with West Virginia hospitals to ensure that staff is properly trained in the donation process so that every potential organ donor is procured. They partner with the department of motor vehicles (DMVs) to provide information and assistance in asking every eligible resident to register as an organ, tissue and cornea donor, and provide education within corporations, schools, organizations and other outlets to bring awareness to the importance of organ, tissue and cornea donation. For more information about Donate Life West Virginia, visit www.donatelifewv.org.