Celebrate Life and Support Organ Donation at the Donate for Life Event

Northwest Iowa Community College is excited to announce the upcoming Donate for Life Event on June 20, 2023, from 5:00-7:30 PM. This event aims to celebrate the gift of organ donation, encourage individuals to register as donors, and promote the consideration of living donation.

The Donate for Life Event promises to be an evening filled with inspiration, entertainment, and opportunities for community involvement. We are delighted to have various activities lined up for attendees of all ages. Kids can enjoy coloring activities on designated tables, creating an atmosphere of fun and creativity. Additionally, we will provide registration booths where individuals can easily sign up to become organ donors and contribute to saving lives.

Highlighting the event’s program, we have organized a special Donor Walk from
5:00-5:30 PM, symbolizing unity and support for the cause. Participants can join this walk to demonstrate their commitment to organ donation and honor those who have selflessly given the gift of life.

Following the Donor Walk, a meal will be served from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. This will be an opportunity to engage with fellow attendees and share stories of hope and gratitude. During the meal, we are privileged to have a renowned speaker, Iowa Donor Network Representative John Jorgensen, who will inspire and motivate us with his personal experiences related to organ donation.

To add an enjoyable musical touch to the event, Chewy Rodriguez, an organ recipient himself, will perform from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, entertaining the audience with lively tunes and creating a vibrant atmosphere of celebration.

The Northwest Iowa Community College is grateful for the support and contributions of community members and organizations. The Lifelong Learning & Recreation Center, located on NCC’s campus, will provide the venue for the event, while Sheldon Community Ambulance Team (SCAT) will be overseeing the concessions, including popcorn, hotdogs/hamburgers, chips, drinks, and cookies. Their support is invaluable in spreading the word and helping with community participation.

Free-will donation will be accepted at the event for both the Donor Walk and the concessions/meal.

Organ and tissue donation are a gift that saves and heals hundreds of thousands of lives each year. It can provide comfort and solace to donor families as their loved ones leave a lasting legacy of hope and healing. For transplant recipients and patients on the transplant waiting list, the gift of donation offers a second chance at life; a chance to move forward and fulfill the legacy left behind by their gracious donor.

Despite continuing advances, the need for organs and tissue is vastly greater than the number available for transplant. Currently, there are more than 100,000 people in the United States on the transplant waiting list, including more than 600 people in Iowa. Talking to your loved ones about donation and knowing the facts is the most influential way to spread the word about the beneficial impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

We invite the community to join us at the Donate for Life Event and help make a difference in the lives of those awaiting organ transplants. Together, we can celebrate the individuals who have already saved and healed lives through the gift of donation and inspire others to consider becoming organ donors.

For more information please contact Kevin Miller, NCC Emergency Service Coordinator, at 712-324-5061ext. 231, or email him at kmiller@nwicc.edu.

Stats and Facts:

Every 9 minutes, a new person is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

• An average of 17 people die each day while waiting.
• On average, 112 transplants take place every day in the U.S.
• In 2021, the lives of nearly 41,000 Americans were saved by organ donation.
• One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and save and heal
  50-300 lives through tissue donation.
• Every driver’s education class in Iowa must have one educational session on organ, tissue, and eye donation for their students.

Local and National Waiting List as of 2/1/22:

• National Organ Waiting List: 106,591
• Iowa Organ Waiting List: 611

Iowa Organ Waiting List by Organ as of 2/1/22:

• Heart – 23
• Lungs – 12
• Liver – 36
• Kidney – 518
• Kidney/Pancreas – 20
• Pancreas – 2