Let’s Show ‘Em Michigan’s Got More Heart

ANN ARBOR, MI – As the countdown clock ticks and the big game day gets closer and closer, Michigan students and residents prepare to tackle a slow start to the Buckeye vs. Wolverine Challenge for Life. The 2nd annual rivalry officially began Sept. 1, 2007, and will run through noon on Nov. 16, 2007.

Each year collegiate football fans eagerly await the annual matchup between the Buckeyes and Wolverines. In 2006, the first year this interstate donor drive competition was added to the fall schedule, which is currently the only such contest in the nation, the Buckeyes claimed the trophy on their home turf with more than 3,000 registrations. This year, the U-M Students for Organ Donation chapter hopes to see the trophy make its way back to the Big House on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007.

“It’s time to bring it back home,” said Shaun Patel, a U-M pre-med student and President of U-M Students for Organ Donation. “The premise of the contest is to compete by registering as many new organ and tissue donors in each state’s respective registry before the big brawl at Michigan Stadium. We’re off to a slow start but with the right game strategy, we still have time for an interception.”

Both schools will engage in creative ways to educate and inspire awareness of the life-saving benefits of being a registered organ and tissue donor. Those interested in signing up are encouraged to visit www.SHOWUSYOURHEART.com. It’s easy and each registration makes a difference, not only for the contest but ultimately by the potential numbers of lives saved. The results of the competition will be revealed before the November 17 UM-OSU football game.

“The Challenge for Life is a great opportunity to compete against a rival school and help save lives in the process,” said Christy Hammond, a U-M student and member of the U-M Students for Organ Donation chapter. “In 2006, I had a tissue transplant and it drastically improved my quality of life. It is upsetting to see people dying daily because they could not receive a life-saving transplant in time. I encourage students, alumni, staff and fans to help U-M give the gift of life and beat OSU.”

SOD is a student-run nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting organ and tissue donation awareness and registration. SOD seeks to empower students to make a difference in a growing international public health crisis: the shortage of vital organs for transplant. To learn more about the U-M Students for Organ Donation chapter, visit www.SHOWUSYOURHEART.com today.

Gift of Life Michigan is the state’s federally authorized organ recovery organization. To learn more about organ and tissue donation or to sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, visit www.giftoflifemichigan.org or call 800-482-4881.