College students from across the state of Michigan, including Northern Michigan University nursing student Kaitlynn Heiss, are registering as organ donors as part of the Gift of Life Campus Challenge which takes place until March 3. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Andriacchi)

By RANDY CROUCH

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Universities from across the state of Michigan have spent the month of February in friendly competition as they participate in the Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge.

The challenge pits colleges from across the state against each other to try and register as many new organ donors as possible. For the past 17 years, universities — including Upper Peninsula schools Northern Michigan University and Michigan Tech University — have used their natural rivalries and desire for competition into a positive, as the campus challenge is responsible for registering over 40,000 new organ donors in the state.

Each of the schools that participate in the challenge use the five-week period to raise awareness of the vital role that organ donation plays in saving lives around the country. Schools participate by using social media, television, radio and newspaper interviews as well as campus events to get the word out. Each school is given a unique link to the Gift of Life Michigan website, so when someone signs up, the school receives credit in the competition.

NMU students have been hard at work raising awareness and educating the public on the effect that just a single individual’s organ donation can make. It is estimated that one organ donor can save eight lives and improve the lives of up to 75 other people by becoming a donor. Tissue donations can help in a wide variety of ways, including restoring eyesight, repairing tissues in the heart and performing skin grafts for burn victims.

“I’m extremely glad that Northern Michigan University is partaking in the Gift of Life Campus Challenge. As someone going into the medical field, I truly see how important it is to be an organ donor. Since the beginning of this challenge, I have learned so much about organ and tissue donation,” said NMU Nursing student Kaitlynn Heiss. “Becoming an organ donor can save so many lives and benefit even more. I’m extremely thankful for everyone that has registered since the start of this challenge.”

Currently, Wayne State University has a healthy lead in the competition but with plenty of time to go, both of the U.P. schools have time to make narrow the gap between the schools and make a push for victory. The competition goes until Mar. 3

This may seem like just a small box to check, but becoming a donor is so much bigger than that. I’ve seen firsthand how valuable a donation can be, which is why I’m so passionate about this organization. I highly encourage everyone to at least check out the Gift of Life website,” Heiss said. “The website is extremely informational, provides a lot of statistics, and shares some pretty amazing stories! Help save lives, register to be an organ/tissue donor.”

It’s estimated that more than 2,500 Michigan residents are currently on the waiting list for a live saving organ transplant, while more than 106,000 people are on the waiting list nationwide. Sadly, roughly 17 people on that waiting list die every day.

Registering to be an organ donor is the easiest thing someone can do to save lives. Anyone interested in getting involved with the campus challenge and helping out the NMU team can visit their unique registration link at http://golm.org/go/nmu.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.