Wayne State wins ninth straight Gift of Life Campus Challenge
Thanks to a friendly rivalry between 21 Michigan colleges and universities, nearly 700 participants added their names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry over the past five weeks.
Throughout the 17th annual Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge, college campus communities from across the state competed to sign up the most people as organ, tissue and eye donors.
When the competition ended on February 20, two schools secured top rankings. For the ninth consecutive time, Wayne State University registered the most new donors (251). Siena Heights University signed up the highest percentage of their student body (4.6 percent). Both schools will receive trophies in celebration of their achievements.
Since 2012, WSU’s Gift of Life campaign has been spearheaded by Beverly and Tim Butler, associate professor of global supply chain management, who lost their daughter, Rebecca Joy Butler, in May 2011 while waiting for a lung transplant. Rebecca was a marketing student at WSU and a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.
Alpha Gamma Delta, with the help of other student organizations, has led WSU’s efforts in the Campus Challenge through emails, social media posts, flyers and at donor registry stations across campus.
Since 2016, WSU has partnered with police departments in the community to honor 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.
The Gift of Life Campus Challenge is one of the most successful organ donation college outreach programs in the nation and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for its exceptional results. Gift of Life Michigan is the state’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery organization, which acts as intermediary between donors, their families and hospital staff. Gift of Life Michigan, in collaboration with Eversight Michigan, provides all services necessary for organ, tissue and eye donation.
You can find a full list of participating campuses and their final scores at giftoflifemichigan.org/campus-challenge. To add your name to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry at any time, visit giftoflifemichigan.org, call 866-500-5801 or visit any Secretary of State office.
