NEWS RELEASE
May 14, 1999

Depatment of Community Health Begins Organ Donation Public Service Announcements

Michigan Department of Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced two new 60-second, radio public service announcements will begin airing on Monday, May 17 to promote organ donation in Michigan. The ads are a collaborative effort from the Department of Community Health, the Gift of Life agency of Michigan and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

"More than 2,200 people in Michigan are waiting for an organ transplant," said Haveman. "Tragically, last year in Michigan, 192 people died waiting for an organ and before May 1 of this year, 75 people have already died while waiting for an organ transplant."

"These public service announcements are an important step in our efforts to increase organ donation in Michigan. By registering to be an organ donor and making your wishes known to loved ones, you could give the gift of life and make a big difference in the lives of many families," said Haveman.

The two public service announcements beginning Monday both feature Haveman and will air on radio stations in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids. Additional public service announcements are currently being produced and will begin running in June.

"It is important for people to call the toll-free number, 1-800-482-4881, for more information on organ donation. Organ donation truly is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." said Haveman.

The two public service announcement scripts are:

This is Jim Haveman, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. More than 1600 people in Michigan are waiting for a kidney. Their average wait is more than two-and-a-half years. There are 77 people who need a heart transplant. Average wait – about seven months. Hundreds of others need a liver, a lung or a pancreas. Some of them won’t make it without an organ donation. Last year in Michigan, 192 people died waiting. This year, 75 people died before May first. You could give the gift of life after you’re gone. Please consider being an organ donor. Call the Gift of Life agency of Michigan at 1-800-482-4881. That’s 1-800-482-4881. It’s a wonderful legacy to leave behind. Call for more information. 1-800-482-4881. A message from the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Gift of Life agency of Michigan and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

This is Jim Haveman, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. More than 2200 people in Michigan are waiting for an organ transplant. Some of them have been waiting for years. In fact, the average wait for a kidney transplant is more than two-and-a-half years. Last year in Michigan, 192 people died waiting for an organ. This year, 75 people died before May first. You could make a big difference in several lives if you would register to be an organ donor. Call the Gift of Life agency of Michigan at 1-800-482-4881. That’s 1-800-482-4881. Being an organ donor is your chance to improve or even give life to someone else after you’re gone. That’s a wonderful legacy to leave behind. Make your wishes known. Call for more information. 1-800-482-4881. That’s 1-800-482-4881. A message from the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Gift of Life agency of Michigan.