NCGA Representative Mitch Gillespie Recognized for Life-Saving Organ Donation Legislative Efforts

RALEIGH, NC – November 15, 2011 – Donate Life North Carolina (DLNC) presented a commemorative medal to Representative Mitch Gillespie (Rep-Burke/McDowell) to recognize his commitment to saving lives by increasing organ, eye and tissue donation. 

The medal was developed to celebrate reaching 100 million registered donors nationwide, a major milestone in donor designation in the United States.  In North Carolina, 4,107,159 people have registered to save lives through organ and eye donation.  This makes North Carolina’s donor registry the sixth largest in the country.

Sharon Hirsch, Executive Director of Donate Life North Carolina, and Dawn Hall, Past Chairperson of Donate Life North Carolina, presented the medal to Representative Gillespie for his legislative support, specifically his sponsorship of HB289/S.L. 2011-392 which created a Donate Life NC specialty license plate. 

 “We’re very thankful for Representative Gillespie’s advocacy and support,” said Sharon Hirsch, Executive Director of Donate Life North Carolina.  “Proceeds from the sale of the Donate Life license plate will be used to educate the public about organ donation, promote donor registration and support donor families and transplant recipients and their families at the five NC transplant centers.”

“I hope that many people will benefit from the sale of these special license plates and that you will soon see these new plates on cars throughout North Carolina.  This tag remembers and honors donors, recognizes those who have received a second chance at life thanks to a transplant and brings attention to the need for more registered donors,” stated Representative Gillespie.

Currently, there are more than 112,000 people – men, women and children – on the national organ transplant waiting list, including 3,575 in North Carolina.  People die each day because there are not enough donated organs.  Each person who signs up as a donor could save the lives of up to eight people.

Donate Life North Carolina is a collaborative group of organizations that promote eye, organ and tissue donation throughout the state.  As a non-profit organization, Donate Life North Carolina’s mission is to inspire all North Carolina residents to save and enhance lives by registering as organ, eye and tissue donors.  For an application for the new Donate Life license plate, or to register as a donor, visit DonateLifeNC.org.

Photo Caption – Dawn Hall, Past Chairperson of Donate Life North Carolina (left), and Sharon Hirsch, Executive Director of Donate Life North Carolina (right), present a commemorative medal to Representative Mitch Gillespie (center) for his organ, eye and tissue donation legislative support.

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