TABLE OF CONTENTS•Message From the CEO

•PA Updates

•WV Happenings

•Hospital Development

•CORE Focus

•CORE Comings & Goings

•News From Donate Life

•Upcoming Events

A Donate Life Organization

CORE MISSION

The Center for Organ

Recovery & Education

(CORE) is a nonprofit

Organization dedicated

to promoting donation,

education, and research

for the purpose of

saving and improving

the quality of life through

organ, tissue, and

cornea transplantation.

MESSAGE FROM THE CEOSusan Stuart, Center for Organ Recovery & Education CEO

December is often the busiest time of year. There are cookies to bake, latkes to fry, presents to wrap, and stockings to stuff.

For many, it’s an exhilarating time filled with comfort and cheer.

For others, like many of our friends at CORE, the flurry of activity can amplify our grief; a spotlight on the absence of someone we dearly miss.

But for better or for worse, the holidays are a time of togetherness. If there’s one thing we’re sure of here at CORE, it’s that nothing carries us through periods of great joy or great sorrow so swiftly as our ability to work together; our partnerships.

It’s the very essence of our mission: working hand-in-hand with others to save and enhance lives through organ, tissue and cornea donation.

In the spirit of the season, this issue of Connections examines many examples of ways we at CORE can come together to create something bigger than ourselves.

We look at the members of Team Pittsburgh, and how in an effort to empower members beyond city limits, they’ve rebranded to officially become Team Alleghenies.

We hear a touching story about a donor mother’s Thanksgiving meeting with her son’s recipients and the gratitude experienced among them.

And in recognition of our year-round collaboration with community health centers, we announce CORE’s honor of receiving a Pinnacle Award from Donate Life America.

It’s our hope that these stories inspire you to catch some of the holiday spirit and explore new ways we can form even more valuable partnerships in the months ahead.

From all of us at CORE, we wish you happy holidays. We can’t wait to continue our work together in 2017.

December 2016

CORE VISION: Every potential donor will make a Pledge for Life.

CORE VALUESINTEGRITY: CORE would not exist without the trust and support of the community it serves.

COMPASSION: CORE honors its donors and donor families.

QUALITY: CORE upholds stringent clinical standards to ensure the quality of donated organs and tissue.

RESPONSIVENESS: CORE operates in a fast-paced, detail-oriented manner.

EDUCATION: CORE recognizes that education is needed to uphold public trust and for the public we serve to make informed donation decisions.

INNOVATION: CORE is a long-standing pioneer in the organ and tissue procurement field.

RESPECT: CORE has respect for both death and life.

LIFE: Most importantly, we value the legacy of life our donors have left and the second chance at life that transplant recipients have as a result.

STATISTICSNational Waiting List: 119,460

CORE Waiting List: 2,718

Univ of Pgh Medical Center . . . . 1,202

VA Pgh Healthcare System . . . . . . 725

Allegheny General Hospital . . . . . . 479

Children’s Hosp of Pgh of UPMC . 157

Charleston Area Medical Ctr . . . . . 151

UMPC Hamot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

• Every 10 minutes, another name is added to the waiting list.

• On average, 22 people will pass each day waiting for their life saving transplant.

• Ninety percent of Americans say they support donation, yet only 30 percent know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

• One organ and tissue donor can save 8 lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 individuals.

Pennsylvania UPdatesPittsburgh Donor Family, Transplant Recipients Join Together to Give Thanks The Monday before Thanksgiving, as Pittsburghers prepared for the holiday, four families, forever connected through organ donation, met for their own Thanksgiving dinner.

Mary Grace Hensell lost her son Brian in a car accident in 2011. But Brian’s generous decision to give the gift of life means that he lives on in the lives he saved and the countless people they touch. At this dinner, and for the first time, Brian’s family met two of the people he saved.

John Chomko of Fox Chapel received Brian’s liver. Brian McTiernan of Sewickley received Brian’s kidney and pancreas.

“I’m so grateful to have the chance to meet Mary Grace and say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. As a father, I can’t imagine what it would feel like to lose a child. I know I have a debt that I can never repay. But I will honor Brian’s memory by doing everything I can to follow his example and save lives by urging everyone to register as an organ donor,” said Brian McTiernan.

Melvin Protzman of Butler, who received Brian’s heart, was also at the dinner. Melvin and Mary Grace met shortly after Brian’s death and have formed a tight bond since.

“I am thankful for every day and for every single breath. A few years ago, I had no way of knowing if I would ever sit down for Thanksgiving dinner again. Because one man made the selfless and heroic decision to give the gift of life, I get to be with my family,” said Melvin.

“Losing a child is the hardest thing a parent can endure. But I am thankful for the knowledge that my son lives on because of his generous heart. I am grateful to know John, Brian, and Melvin, and their families, so I can see the life and love that Brian made possible,” said Mary Grace.

“Eight thousand people in Pennsylvania are on the organ transplant waiting list. This Thanksgiving, they will give thanks to all the donor families who have made the Pledge for Life and hold onto to the hope that they will also receive the gift of life. I am grateful to every person who has registered to be and organ and tissue donor and ask all families, this Thanksgiving to discuss giving the gift of life,” said Susan Stuart, CORE’s President and CEO.

This dinner, arranged by CORE and Donate Life Pennsylvania, was held at the Family House Shadyside, which provides a special ‘home away from home’ for patients and/or their families who are in Pittsburgh seeking medical treatment, including organ transplants.

Team Pittsburgh Refreshes Brand With New Name, New Look

Team Pittsburgh Transplant has officially adopted a new name to signify its presence in communities across western Pennsylvania and West Virginia: Team Alleghenies. The team’s new name reflects its comprehensive footprint throughout the region in addition to its commitment to bolstering organ, tissue and cornea donation.

With the new name also comes a new look. The team’s brand underwent a refresh and revitalization, complete with a new logo and visual identity.

“Team Alleghenies’ new name, look and feel are a symbol of our renewed, inclusive commitment to representing those affected by organ, tissue and cornea donation throughout the region,” said Colleen Yost, team manager for Team

Alleghenies. “We are excited for our refreshed brand to inspire the already enthusiastic support among our living donors, donor families, recipients, candidates waiting, and beyond.”

The new look for Team Alleghenies was designed to exhibit its firm confidence in the future of organ, tissue and cornea donation. Bright, vibrant blues and earthy greens accented by hopeful yellows showcase the team’s commitment to the gift of life, while also giving a nod to the signature colors of Donate Life America. The revitalized look and branding for Team Alleghenies comes in the wake of a new partnership with CORE; a longtime informal collaboration that has now become official.

“We’ve worked together for many years, and it’s wonderful for our relationship to finally be formalized,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO of CORE. “This official partnership represents the joining of two forces working toward a shared cause: supporting and celebrating the lives of those affected by organ, tissue and cornea donation and transplantation.”

The partnership takes form with Team Alleghenies establishing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and functioning with the help of CORE’s administrative resources, including business, accounting and marketing support.

Team Alleghenies Transplant board members show off the team’s new logo.

Mary Grace Hensell poses with the recipients of her son’s organs and their families at a special Thanksgiving celebration.

VOLUNTEERS STRUT THEIR

STUFF IN ANNUAL

WASHINGTON HOLIDAY PARADE

Volunteers from the Washington County Team braved the cold weather to parade through the streets of downtown Washington, Pa., in their annual holiday parade. This is the fifth year that CORE has participated in this event.

West Virginia Donor Honored with Floragraph on the 2017 Rose Parade® Float

West virginia HaPPenings

Earlier this month, CORE and Donate Life West Virginia honored organ donor and West Virginian Jasmine “Nicole” Moore by offering her a family an opportunity to decorate a floragraph portrait of her that will be featured on Donate Life’s Teammates in Life float in the 2017 Rose Parade®.

“To think she had saved, touched or enhanced so many lives,” said Nicole’s mom Lisa Johnson, “That’s my child, a hero.”

Moore’s family joined CORE employees and volunteers for a first floragraph decorating and dedication on Thursday, Dec. 8, at CORE’s headquarters in O’Hara Township. A second decorating and dedication was held a week later in Nicole’s hometown of Ripley, West Virginia.

“We are honored to remember Nicole’s legacy as an organ, tissue and cornea donor through this memoriam that will be seen by millions of people as part of the 2017 Donate Life Rose Parade float,” said Susan Stuart, President and CEO, CORE.

Now in its 14th year, Donate Life’s annual float is the centerpiece of a national effort of more than 50 organizations that have teamed up to reach a broad audience with the simple, life-giving message that organ, tissue and cornea donation saves and heals lives.

The 2017 Pasadena Tournament of Roses theme, “Echoes of Success,” tells the story of how our character has developed through the selfless contributions of others and celebrates their inspirational gifts. This year’s float, Teammates in Life, will recognize a total of 96 honorees on a spectacular Polynesian catamaran. It will be propelled by a team of 24 organ, tissue and cornea transplant recipients rowing in unison with strength gained from their donors.

The sails of the vessel will feature 60 floral portraits of donors interwoven with Polynesian designs and patterns. Just as the donors’ gifts empower the lives of others, the sails help power the catamaran on its journey. Twelve living donors and recipients, including a “kidney chain” of three living donors and their three recipients, will walk alongside the float carrying flowers in celebration of the life they have given to others and the quality of life they continue to enjoy themselves.

“This year’s float reminds us that no one succeeds alone, and we all thrive by working together,” said Tom Mone, chairman of the Donate Life float committee and CEO of OneLegacy, the nonprofit organ, eye and tissue recovery organization serving the greater Los Angeles area.

As the world’s most visible campaign to inspire organ, tissue and cornea donation, The Donate Life Rose Parade® Float inspires viewers to help the over one million people in need of transplants each year.

Don’t forget to tune in when the Donate Life float sails down the streets of Pasadena during the 128th Rose Parade® presented by Honda on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, at 11 a.m. (EST). For additional information about the Tournament of Roses, please visit the official website at tournamentofroses.com. You can watch the parade live on the Hallmark Channel.

Nicole Moore’s family poses with her floragraph.

2017 Rose Parade floragraph of West Virginia Organ Donor Nicole Moore.

New Technology at West Virginia DMV Helps Educate CustomersCORE and Donate Life West Virginia have been working diligently to find new and innovative ways to educate the public, and are happy to announce that all West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices now have educational televisions/monitors.

The partnership between CORE and Donate Life West Virginia began several years ago when the two organizations began working together to find the best way to present their crucial messages to local DMV customers.

With the help of the Motor Vehicle Networks (MVN), they were able to find a new platform to display their content: televisions and monitors inside DMV offices. MVN offers digital television/monitor equipment and services to many vehicle facilities across the country in exchange for purchased advertising from local businesses.

With MVN’s help, televisions and monitors inside West Virginia DMVs now showcase educational content on organ, tissue and cornea donation, as well as information on highway safety and other issues facing drivers across the U.S.

CORE and Donate Life West Virginia are excited to provide new educational materials to West Virginia drivers and look forward to receiving feedback from the local communities once they see the system in action at local DMVs. The system offers soundless rotating content that includes national news, sports and trivia, as well as educational graphics.

Recently, West Virginia DMV Commissioner Pat Reed was recognized for allowing this technology in state DMVs, as well as her role in developing other partnership opportunities that offer CORE and Donate Life West Virginia the ability to share their vision: that all potential donors will make the pledge for life. This new system will complement current brochure messaging within West Virginia DMVs, and will create an additional layer of education for those renewing or obtaining their state IDs and driver’s licenses.

WV DMV Commissioner Pat Reed (left) and CORE WV Community Outreach

Coordinator Christy Conley (right).

CORE OFFERS HOLIDAY GRIEF

PROGRAM IN CHARLESTON

Every year, CORE offers a grief workshop to families, friends and caregivers who have experienced the death of a loved one to help them reflect on their loss, cope with grief reactions and restore a sense of hope for the upcoming season. The sessions are held in both Pittsburgh, Pa., and Charleston, WV.

WEST VIRGINIA HOSPITAL CHALLENGE HONOREES

HosPital develoPment neWsUPMC Hamot Establishes Northwestern Pennsylvania’s

First Accredited Kidney Transplant Program

UPMC Hamot has received final approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its adult kidney transplant program, making it the first and only United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and Medicare approved transplant program in the Erie region.

As part of the CMS accreditation process, four transplant surgeries were performed at UPMC Hamot over the past year. All of the cases involved living donors, however the program will also include deceased donors going forward.

“This is an exciting time for the UPMC transplant program. Over the last several years, we’ve expanded our clinics across western Pennsylvania and are seeing more patients for clinic visits where they live, instead of having them travel to Pittsburgh,” said Abhinav Humar, M.D., UPMC’s chief of transplantation. “Now we offer this life-saving procedure to many more people living with kidney disease.”

In September, 2015, 63-year-old Daniel Clint of Ashtabula, Ohio was the first patient to receive a kidney transplant at UPMC Hamot under the care of Amit Tevar, M.D., UPMC surgical director, kidney and pancreas transplantation. Clint’s daughter, Autumn, 22, of La Mesa, California, was his donor.

“Once I met Dr. Tevar, I did not hesitate to choose UPMC Hamot for my surgery,” said Clint. “I am very grateful to UPMC Hamot for this life-saving surgery and the astounding care I received from Dr. Tevar and his team and the wonderful nursing staff. “

The transplant team at UPMC Hamot consists ofclinicians and staff from the transplant program in Pittsburgh, allowing for a close partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute.

“This is just another example of how we are building on our promise to bring world-class care to northwestern Pennsylvania by expanding the number of specialty services available,” said David Gibbons, UPMC Hamot chief operating officer.

Hospitals, Health Systems Honored For Creating Culture of Donation

In December, Donate Life West Virginia honored 29 hospitals and health systems throughout the state that have gone above and beyond to build a culture of donation within their facilities.

“The work and cooperation between the West Virginia Hospital Association and Donate Life West Virginia is an irreplaceable link to the gift of life for so many throughout this region,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO, Center for Organ Recovery & Education. “The healthcare community is an indispensable key in

connecting transplant patients with the donations they so desperately need.”

Now in its third year, the West Virginia Hospital Challenge is a collaboration between the West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA) and Donate Life West Virginia (DLWV). The campaign focuses on hospitals within the state and encourages them to bring awareness to the importance of organ, tissue and cornea donation.

In addition to being recognized locally, West Virginia hospitals participating in the WVHA Hospital Challenge are included in and recognized as a part of the national campaign. The national campaign is led by the national Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL), an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

More than 12,000 companies and organizations are partners in WPFL and are committed to building awareness of the critical need for organ, tissue and cornea donation registrations.

Donate Life West Virginia comprises four federally-designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) that are dedicated to promoting and coordinating the donation of organs and tissue for transplantation – Center for Organ Recovery & Education, Lifeline of Ohio, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates and LifeNet Health.

In celebration of their first month as the region’s only fully accredited kidney transplant facility, UPMC Hamot joined CORE for a night of hockey and awareness with the Erie Otters. Living donor and UPMC Manager Ryan King joined heart recipient Brittany Grimm and waiting list candidate Diana Pratt to drop the first puck. Attendees were urged to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and were giving pamphlets and information on the jumbotron throughout the game.

CORE CEO Susan Stuart presents the awards.

UPMC Hamot is the first accredited kidney transplant facility in northwestern PA.

PLATINUM WINNERS•Bluefield Regional Medical Center (Community Health Systems)•Cabell Huntington Hospital•Camden Clark Medical Center (WVU)•Davis Medical Center (Davis Health System)•J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital (WVU)•Jackson General Hospital•Logan Regional Medical Center•Mon General Hospital (Mon Health System)•Pleasant Valley Hospital•St. Mary’s Medical Center

GOLD WINNERS•CAMC General Hospital (CAMC Health System)•Hampshire Memorial Hospital (Val-ley Health System)•Ohio Valley Medical Center•Roane General Hospital•St. Francis Hospital•Summersville Regional Medical Center•Berkeley Medical Center (WVU)

SILVER WINNERS•Beckley VA Medical Center•Boone Memorial Hospital•Fairmont Regional Medical Center (Alecto Healthcare Hospital)•Greenbrier Valley Medical Center (Community Health Systems)•Minnie Hamilton Health System•Montgomery General Hospital•Sistersville General Hospital•United Hospital Center (WVU)•Webster County Memorial Hospital•Weirton Medical Center•WV University Healthcare Jefferson Medical Center (WVU)

BRONZE WINNER•Princeton Community Hospital

UPMC HAMOT, CORE TEAM UP FOR HOCKEY

75Core FoCUs: tissUe donation

How Donated Tissue Heals, Helps During Breast Reconstruction

When Kate Kane was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2011, her doctor outlined her options for treatment. Kate’s doctor explained to her how each course of action would impact her options for reconstruction.

Her thin stature made her a poor candidate for breast reconstruction using an autograft – a procedure in which the same individual’s tissue is taken from one part of her body and grafted to another. So, Kate’s doctor raised the option of using donated tissue, called an allograft, to act as a resting place for the implant.

“You know doctors,” Kate said, recalling the discussion, “they don’t recommend, but they give you choices. And, it seemed that when it was said and done, [using donated tissue] would be a better outcome.”

If 2012 was any indication, it seems Kate was right. After having a bilateral mastectomy in January of that year followed by reconstructive surgery that March, by that August, the physically active Kate was able to pick up where she left off before her diagnosis: biking hundreds of miles for cancer research – something she had trained to do all summer.

Being active is more than just a hobby for Kate; it was her social life.

“Part of [breast cancer] is that you have physical healing, but you have a lot of emotional healing. It’s hard to describe the difference,” she said. “To be able to be back to normal – or, a new normal – was huge for me. All of that was because I came back healthy and was able to recover quickly.”

Kate knew she would receive a tissue donation early on in her diagnosis, but the thought never bothered her. She shared that she didn’t have any reservations. After all, registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor was just what you did in the Kane family. The Kane’s even have a family friend whose daughter, Emily, is approaching the 5 year anniversary of her heart transplant – a miracle that has made the importance of donation hit closer to home and made registering a no-brainer for Kate’s teenage son when applying for his learner’s permit.

“Anyone who is thoughtful about checking the box for organ and tissue donation needs to understand that so much of what we have – the tissue that I received and the heart Emily received – that comes from somebody who has made a sacrifice, who made a decision so that if I no longer can live, then someone else can make use of every single thing that I have,” Kate offered. “And there’s that gift, it’s just awesome, in the absolute truest sense of the word. For another person making the decision for a loved one, that you can say ‘I loved this person with all my heart, but he or she is no longer with us, and I’m going to give this gift because he or she would have wanted that.’”

Kate describes that ability and generosity as “jaw-droppingly awesome,” and she is not wrong. “My surgery wasn’t life or death,” Kate said, “but it certainly was restorative, and I’m incredibly grateful.”

Generously donated tissue is one of many options available for breast reconstruction surgery, and one tissue donor can help up to ten breast reconstruction patients. Tissue allografts are commonly used to improve medical outcomes across a broad spectrum of clinical specialties, and physicians use tissue allografts to save and improve the lives of more than one million Americans each year.

Learn more about the options available for breast reconstructive surgery at breastreconusa.org.

This feature originally appeared on aopo.org.

Based on a recent discussion that took place with national partners AATB, RSA/DoT, AOPO, EBAA, NATCO, UNOS, NKF and DLA at a recent roundtable, it has been determined that the most accurate figure to use when stating the number of people who can be helped by a single donor is not 50, but actually closer to 75.

Kate Kane, breast cancer survivor and tissue recipient.

HEALING POWER OF DONATED TISSUE:

•Donated heart valves can replace damaged valves, or correct a baby’s congenital defect, allowing the heart to function normally.•Grafts help patients with spinal deformities live normal lives.•Musculoskeletal tissue can save limbs from amputation and be used to replace bone, tendons and ligaments lost to cancer, severe trauma, degenerative joint disease, arthritis and other conditions.•Recovered skin can save the lives of burn victims and improve the lives of patients with significant soft tissue defects.•Tissue allografts play a key role in restoring function and mobility and, since research shows that physical activity reduces the risk of chronic health conditions, empower patients to live healthier, more active lives.•Injured joints or degenerated discs cause pain, hinder mobility and dramatically decrease quality of life.Source: AATB

CORE Comings & goingsCORE Community Outreach Department

Adds New Team MembersAndy Nichols recently joined the CORE team as the new social media coordinator. Before coming to CORE, Andy spent nearly three years at Highmark Health in downtown Pittsburgh, where he served first as a social media marketing analyst, then as the copy editor for the marketing department.

Andy grew up in Meadville, Pa., and attended Meadville Area Senior High School before earning his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Andy describes himself as sports obsessed and a diehard Cleveland fan. Outside of work, he enjoys watching any sports game on television that night, hiking, golfing, playing baseball, and spending time with his dog and fiancée.

Andy attributes his desire to work for CORE and help others to a past medical scare of his own. When he was 22 and a senior in college, Andy was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

“Ever since then, I’ve wanted to work in healthcare and find a way to help anyone else who may be struggling through life-changing medical events,” Andy said. “Working for CORE gives me the opportunity to truly make a difference in people’s lives; to go home at night and feel like I did something important. That’s what matters most to me.”

Nancy Stiger joined CORE as the new volunteer coordinator for community outreach last month. Prior to coming to CORE, she spent five years at Carnegie Mellon University working in university events and student affairs.

Nancy earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Penn State University and her master’s degree in corporate communication from Duquesne University. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she completed an internship with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, where she worked on special events to raise money and awareness for those affected by CF.

From this experience, Nancy became very aware of the critical need for organ donation, which is why she is excited for the opportunity to raise awareness and support CORE’s mission through her role as volunteer coordinator.

WESTERN PA KIDNEY SUPPORT GROUP

FUNDRAISER

The Western PA Kidney Support Groups needs your support. Bringing together more than 10,000 people in the region, we hold support groups to share experiences and provide vital information for our members. In addition to connecting with our 600 members through our support groups, we provide phone line support, host seminars and conferences, as well as attend events to raise awareness of our organization.

For each donation of $20 or more, you will receive a free T-shirt of your choice plus a button and bumper sticker. We have a limited selection of sizes from S-3XL. To make a donation, please call 412-427-2969 or email Jack Silverstein at silverjacki@yahoo.com and include your address, as well as which shirt size you would like. Upon receiving a check, your shirt, button and bumper sticker will be shipped to your home free of charge.

Saturday, Jan 28 • 12pm

Panera Bread Meeting Room3401 Blvd of the Allies,Pittsburgh, PA 15213

The meetings are open discussion; bring your personal victories to share, your concerns, and your questions.

Our goal is to provide support to pre-transplant and post-transplant individuals in the physical and emotional areas through discussion. The information shared is personal and should be kept private within the support group.

To attend, please contact Tom at t.meshanko@verizon.net.

HEART TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP

CORE Staff Recognizes Children’s

Grief Awareness DayCORE staff members wore blue and participated in an online thunderclap to mark Children’s Grief Awareness Day in late November.

This special day seeks to bring attention to the fact that support can often make all the difference in the life of a grieving child. It provides an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a child; an opportunity to make sure that these children receive the support they need.

Created in 2008 by the Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, and since recognized by organizations around the world, Children’s Grief Awareness Day is observed every year on the third Thursday in November (the Thursday before the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving).

Social Media Coordinator Andy Nichols.

Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Stiger.

CORE staff on Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

neWs From donate liFePA Study: 8 out of 10 Non-Donors Would Accept a Life-Saving Organ

Eighty percent of Pennsylvanians who are not registered organ and tissue donors would accept an organ transplant if they were sick or injured and needed one, according to a recent survey.

Donate Life Pennsylvania commissioned the survey to shed light on the wide gap between the high number of people who say they support organ and tissue donation and the percentage of people who have actually registered as donors.

“We know from past polls that over 90 percent of Pennsylvanians say they support organ and tissue donation, but the latest numbers show that only 46 percent of Pennsylvanians are registered. Those numbers don’t add up, and we wanted to understand why,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO of CORE.

The pollster asked 400 Pennsylvania adults who said they were not registered organ and tissue donors: “If you were sick or injured and needed an organ or tissue transplant, would you accept the donation?”

82 percent of respondents said yes.

The survey also asked people who are not registered organ and tissue donors whether they thought only registered donors should be eligible to receive organ or tissue transplants. 89 percent said no.

The group was split on the question of whether registered organ and tissue donors should get priority on the organ transplant waiting list. 53 percent said they should not; 47 percent said they should.

The participants were also asked to explain why they were not registered as organ and tissue donors but would accept a donated organ or tissue. They had a wide range of answers:

• 23 percent said they just had not thought about it or taken the time to register. • • 21 percent said they did not think they were healthy enough to be donors, or were

too old. • • 15 percent said simply being asked to think about it was enough to convince them to

register. • • 10 percent said they believed a common and false myth that medical personnel will

not work as hard to save your life if they know you’re a registered organ donor.

The survey was commissioned by Donate Life Pennsylvania, a collaborative group comprising CORE, Gift of Life Donor Program and the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Transportation.

CORE Wins Pinnacle Award for Innovative Community Outreach Program

CORE, together with Gift of Life Donor Program, has been awarded the Donate Life America Clinical Partner Pinnacle Award for their innovative education program entitled, “PA Association of Community Health Centers Challenge.”

The Pinnacle Awards recognize programs successful in inspiring more people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and establishing donation as a cultural norm.

CORE CEO Susan Stuart and CORE MOTTEP Program Director Lisa Strother-Upsher accepted the award at the 2016 Donate Life America Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

CORE and Gift of Life Donor Program representatives accept the DLA Pinnacle Award in Las Vegas.

DECEMBER 31: NATIONAL MAKE UP

YOUR MIND DAY

.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

When someone registers as an organ, eye, and tissue donor, they can save and heal many lives. That’s why this Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Black Friday, Donate Life America, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, began a campaign that urged people to give something unique – their name. Together with advertising agency Leo Burnett Chicago, the organization launched “Your Name Saves,” a program that highlights the names hidden within a person’s name as a metaphor for all of the lives one organ, eye, and tissue donor can save and heal. Individuals can see how many names are in their name at yournamesaves.org, and then easily register to be a donor, turning the metaphor into a reality.

QUICK LINKSComments / Questions

Submit Your Story

Become a Volunteer

Join Our Mailing List

REGISTER TO BECOME A DONOR

www.donatelifepa.org

www.donatelifewv.org

VISIT OUR LINKS

Core Calendar CORE holds special events throughout the organization’s service area to enhance the profile of organ, tissue and cornea donation, and to provide opportunities for fellowship to those whose lives have been touched by donation.

To stay on top of upcoming events throughout CORE’s service area and local events, visit https://www.core.org/community-outreach/calendar-of-events/.

For more information please call 412-963-3550.

UPComing events2017 VOLUNTEER

KICK-OFFThe 2017 Volunteer Kick-Off is being held at CORE and in Charleston, WV on Saturday, Jan. 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the funand informative sessions,volunteers will learn about thefollowing:

•New programs for 2017•Networking 101•Exciting social mediaannouncement•Volunteer restructuring

Lunch will be served. Invitation will be sent via email.

Questions: Nancy at nstiger@core.org