August 10, 2002

Photo Gallery 1

A 2001 organ donor campaign spearheaded by the Department of State, the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) and the Gift of Life Agency (GOL) has been recognized with a distinguished PACE Crystal Award for creative tactics in promoting organ and tissue donor awareness.

 During April 2001, organ donor banners, posters, public service announcements and movie-screen slides encouraging moviegoers to become organ donors were displayed in 186 theaters statewide.  Throughout the month, the theater campaign reached an estimated audience of more than 1.5 million people.

 "I am honored this campaign has been recognized for its efforts to promote greater organ and tissue donor awareness," Secretary of State Candice S. Miller said.  "I'd like to thank Nancy Hagan, chief financial officer of Jack Loeks Theaters and president of the Michigan Chapter of NATO, and Tom Beyersdorf, the executive director of the Gift of Life Agency, for their tremendous commitment to making the campaign a success."

The campaign message was displayed in theater lobbies on large posters and hanging vinyl banners, and shown on movie screens as 30-second public service announcements and slides.  The slides, posters and banners featured Secretary Miller with a group of 10 Michigan children and teens who had received an organ or tissue transplant.  The message was simple:  Organ and tissue transplants transformed the lives of these children.  Add your name to the donor registry.

The public service announcements focused on two of the 10 young people, a young kidney recipient from Detroit and a young liver recipient from west Michigan.

April is traditionally recognized by healthcare organizations as the month to promote greater organ and tissue donor awareness throughout Michigan and the nation.  However, theater owners were encouraged to continue displaying the organ donor materials for as long as they wished.

The Secretary of State's Office began its organ donor enrollment program in 1998, with the goal of assisting the GOL in adding names to the Michigan Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.  Since 1998, the department has contributed more than 500,000 names to the registry.  Anyone wishing to add their name to the registry may enroll online.  Donor cards are also mailed with driver licenses and are available at all Secretary of State branch offices.

For more information about organ and tissue donation or the Michigan Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, contact the GOL at 1-800-482-4881.

The PACE Awards are sponsored by the Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and are presented annually as mid-Michigan's highest honor of public relations.  The awards recognize public relations practitioners who, in the judgment of their peers, have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.  During the 16-year history of the awards program, more than 300 organizations have been recognized for excellence in public relations.