HOSA urging people to register as organ donors

Tomorrow’s nurses and doctors have an urgent job today. Copper Country Intermediate School District pupils under the Health Occupation Students of America banner have a local chapter that is competing to register the most new organ and tissue donors.

The Gift of Life HOSA Challenge runs until Friday. On a cumulative basis, the student chapters have over 7,000 members across Michigan. Just over 1,000 Michiganders sign up to be organ donors per year. It can be done in a variety of ways, including during renewal of one’s driver’s license.

Lori Maki is a Registered Nurse and instructor in the Career and Technical Education Center’s Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) program. She shares the experience of a relative who needed a double lung transplant. In the woman’s own words, “215 days, 9 hours, 48 minutes, and 30 seconds – this is how long I waited to find a matching donor for my double lung transplant. Many people wait longer than that and even more do not live to receive such a blessing. My donor has allowed me to have a quality of life I had never had prior. In the last three and a half years with my new-to-me lungs, I have gotten to see my son become a teenager, hit the five year mark with the man I love, welcome 3 dogs into our lives and continue enjoying the beauty and struggles of everyday life. My life would have ended without my donor and I’m thankful to them for every day I’m still here.”

Over 100,000 people across the United States are currently waiting for an organ transplant. The full press release is below.

Since 2019, nearly 2,200 new organ and tissue donors have been registered in Michigan, thanks to the efforts of students across the state.
The Copper Country ISD Career & Technical Education students, from Copper Country HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) – known as HOSA-Future Health Professionals – are gearing up for the fourth statewide competition with other Michigan HOSA chapters to register new organ and tissue donors and inspire support for organ and tissue donation.
The Gift of Life HOSA Challenge takes place from Nov. 1 through Nov. 19, with 15 different schools taking part. Schools are awarded points for each new donor they register, as well as activities they coordinate to educate their peers about organ and tissue donation.
Samantha Pohl, assistant director of Michigan HOSA, says: “With over 7,000 HOSA members spread across the state, this challenge is a fun way to make our organization feel more cohesive, all while spreading awareness of organ donation. We are thankful for this opportunity with Gift of Life and appreciate them taking an interest in future health professionals.
Lorie Maki, BSN, RN and CTE Instructor for Certified Nurse Aide has a family member who is from the Copper Country and had a double lung transplant in 2018. The family member, an organ recipient, shared what organ donation means to her. “215 days, 9 hours, 48 minutes, and 30 seconds – this is how long I waited to find a matching donor for my double lung transplant. Many people wait longer than that and even more do not live to receive such a blessing. My donor has allowed me to have a quality of life I had never had prior. In the last three and a half years with my new-to-me lungs, I have gotten to see my son become a teenager, hit the five year mark with the man I love, welcome 3 dogs into our lives and continue enjoying the beauty and struggles of everyday life. My life would have ended without my donor and I’m thankful to them for every day I’m still here.”
There are more than 107,000 people waiting for a new organ in the U.S., including 2,463 in Michigan. A single donor can save up to eight lives and help as many as 75 more through donated tissue.
“This has been an important partnership for us,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “I am always impressed with the energy, enthusiasm and creativity these students show in educating the community and advocating for organ and tissue donation. Each new registration brings new hope to the many people waiting for a life-saving transplant.”
To sign up in honor of Copper Country HOSA, visit https:/bit.ly/HOSAchallenge.