UNIQUE COMMUNITY ARTS PRODUCTION TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL MINORITY DONOR AWARENESS DAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 17, 2008

In observance of National Minority Donor Awareness Day on August 1^st, Lifeline of Ohio is partnering with Ministry in Motion to present the second annual production of “A Hero’s Tribute” on Saturday August 2, 2008 at 2 and 7 p.m.

The free event, held at the King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus, celebrates the Gift of Life by honoring the heroes of organ and tissue donation through the presentation of personal donation stories told via movement, gospel music, and song. Showcasing individuals from over 20 Central Ohio churches, performances include mime, puppet skits, and liturgical dances in an effort to recognize minority donors and recipients and help promote the donation message to the minority community.

“Every church has a connection to donation and all religions support donation,” said Demia Kandi, Lifeline of Ohio community consultant and “A Hero’s Tribute” executive producer. “By partnering with the faith-based community and utilizing one of the largest institutions in African American culture, we want to recognize minority donors as well as spread the Donate Life message.”

First recognized in 1996 by President Bill Clinton, the goal of National Minority Donor Awareness Day is to educate people from all racial and ethnic groups about the critical need for donation and transplantation within their community and to inspire all minorities to become donors.

The need for donors among the minority community has continued to increase at an alarming rate due to a higher prevalence of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Currently, minorities make up 20 percent of the U.S population, and while 51 percent listed on the national transplant waiting list are minorities, only 25 percent of all organ donors are minorities. Additionally, minorities are three times more likely to need a life-saving organ transplant than any other ethnic group. These figures underscore the desperate need for registered donors. Lifeline of Ohio focuses on educating the community about donation and encouraging all individuals to join the Ohio Donor Registry. For more information about joining the Registry or organ and tissue donation, visit www.lifelineofohio.org.

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