Ann Arbor, MI – The skies may be cloudy and the trees still bare, but there will be a lot of blue and green visible on Friday, April 17, anyway.
That’s because April 17 is National Donate Life Blue & Green Day, a day when anyone can wear blue and green or decorate their homes or dress up their pets in those colors to show support of organ and tissue donation. Blue & Green Day is one of several events scheduled throughout the month of April, which is designated as national Donate Life Month.
“We’ve had to move our recognition of Donate Life Month online in the wake of the COVID-19 virus to protect our patients, their families, our staff and volunteers and the communities we serve,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s organ and tissue donation program. “This is an easy, fun way to support this cause and to honor the memories of those who have donated.”
Patients who test positive for the coronavirus are not medically eligible for donation, but the need for additional organ, eye and tissue donors continues. There are more than 110,000 people on the organ transplant waiting list across the country, and nearly 2,800 here in Michigan. Because a single donor can save up to eight lives and help as many as 75 other people through cornea and tissue donation, it is important to add names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry to give hope to those waiting for a life-saving transplant.
Donate Life America is sponsoring a photo contest to celebrate Blue & Green Day, as well. They’re looking for blue and green photos in the following categories:
- Kids and teens
- Adults and families
- Home and garden
- Pets
- Food and art
- ‘Virtual’ groups – a selfie collage of family, friends or work colleagues
The contest runs from April 17-21; selected winners will receive a $100 Amazon gift card. Additional details can be found on the Donate Life America Facebook page or website, www.donatelife.net.
You can find additional Gift of Life Michigan Donate Life Month events here or on our Facebook page. Click here to sign up to be an organ, eye or tissue donor.
