March 2019 – Midwest Transplant Network

Midwest Transplant Network celebrates lives saved in 2018, continues momentum with Green Ribbon Campaign

WESTWOOD, Kan. (March 28, 2019) — In honor of National Donate Life Month (April), Midwest Transplant Network is kicking off the second year of its Green Ribbon Campaign to increase the number of registered organ, eye and tissue donors in Kansas and Missouri. The efforts are part of a comprehensive, multiyear campaign by Midwest Transplant Network, the organ procurement organization that serves Kansas and western Missouri.

Green Ribbon Champions (left to right): Bryan Busby, Jeff Jones, Sophia Dominguez-Heithoff and Alonzo Jamison

Its campaign’s iconic symbol – the green ribbon – represents the generous act of giving hope and sharing life by saying yes to organ donation. Through multimedia awareness, community outreach and partner support, the Green Ribbon Campaign aims to inspire one simple but all-important action: Register as an organ donor.

Jan Finn, president and CEO of Midwest Transplant Network, says the Green Ribbon Campaign motivates people by instilling a sense of pride and celebration around the decision to donate life. The number of registered organ donors is climbing, and as a result, more organ transplants are taking place. In fact, 2018 was record-breaking.

“Due to the generosity of donors and their families, we facilitated 818 organ transplants to save the lives of grateful recipients last year,” said Finn, adding that the donor registries for Midwest Transplant Network’s service area received 171,000 new and renewed registrations for organ and tissue donors in 2018. “It is incredibly heartwarming to see so many people making the personal choice to give hope and share life with others in need.”

However, the need for organ donation continues to outpace the number of registered organ donors. In Missouri and Kansas, nearly 2,500 people are waiting for organ transplants that could save their lives. Currently, 76.7 percent of adults in Kansas and 78.5 percent in Missouri are registered as organ donors. While those figures far exceed the national rate of 58 percent, the need remains critical. Finn says building on the successes of 2018 is a key goal for 2019 and beyond.

Helping to lead those efforts are the Green Ribbon Champions, a diverse group of local leaders and well-known personalities who are passionate about organ donation. Jeff Jones, President and CEO of H&R Block, became the first champion in June 2018. The list has grown to include Bryan Busby, Chief Meteorologist at KMBC 9 News; Sophia Dominguez-Heithoff, Miss Teen USA 2017; and Alonzo Jamison, former University of Kansas basketball player.

Two new Green Ribbon Champions will join the lineup April 1 and May 1. While their identities aren’t revealed until official launch, Finn did hint they each bring a lot of “team spirit” to the cause, with one champion from Columbia, Mo., and the other from Kansas City, Kan.

For those not already registered as organ, eye and tissue donors, the registration process is quick and easy. Individuals can sign up online at ShareLifeMidwest.com or at the DMV when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or ID card. Everyone can be a registered organ donor, regardless of age or medical history. The public is also encouraged to take part in these special events in April and May:

National Donate Life Blue & Green Day on Friday, April 12 – wear blue and green to support the importance of organ donation. Take time to encourage family and friends to join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

Donate Life Legacy Walk on Saturday, May 11, at Berkley Riverfront Park in Kansas City – participate in a community 5K event to honor donor heroes and celebrate life. Learn more at mwtn.org/legacywalk.

More information about how to get involved in supporting organ donation is available online at mwtn.org/get-involved.

About Midwest Transplant Network

Midwest Transplant Network (MTN) has been connecting lives through organ donation since 1973. As the federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) for Kansas and the western two-thirds of Missouri, MTN services include organ procurement and surgical tissue and eye recovery, laboratory testing and 24-hour rapid response for referrals from hospital partners. Midwest Transplant Network ranks in the top quartile nationally among OPOs, which reflects the organization’s quality, professionalism and excellence in partnerships throughout the region. For more information, visit mwtn.org.

Now in his second year as a Green Ribbon Champion for organ donation, Jeff Jones continues to lead by example

WESTWOOD, KAN. (March 5, 2019) — It was a milestone year for Jeff Jones personally: 2018 marked the 15th anniversary of his father’s lifesaving kidney transplant, and Jeff’s first year as a Green Ribbon Champion for organ donation. You may have seen his face in ads and on billboards around the Kansas City area, in which he proudly proclaims he’s a registered organ donor before asking a very important question: Are you?

Portrait of Jeff Jones, Green Ribbon Champion for organ donation

Jeff Jones, Green Ribbon Champion, pictured here at H&R Block’s Kansas City headquarters.

Now in his second year as a vocal advocate for organ donation, Jeff says it is an honor to be featured again in Midwest Transplant Network’s hope-filled Green Ribbon Campaign. “I joined the effort last year in part to honor my dad and his sister, who donated her kidney to save my father’s life,” he said. “This year, I hope to further accelerate awareness of the need for more registered organ donors in Kansas and Missouri.”

As president and CEO of H&R Block, Jeff is an inspirational leader focused on innovation. He is also passionate about local community outreach that improves lives. Jeff felt he could make a meaningful difference by sharing his family’s connection to organ donation and encouraging people to join the organ donor registry.

He was right. People instantly embraced his message as a Green Ribbon Champion. “When I first posted on social media last year, I was thrilled to hear from so many people willing to share their stores about organ donation,” Jeff explained. He heard from parents whose children were saved, from friends who didn’t know the story of his father, and from complete strangers who reached out just to thank him for giving his voice to such an important cause.

But Jeff says he’s far from the only one at H&R Block who leads by example when it comes to motivating others to join the organ donor registry. In fact, associates at the worldwide tax preparation service hosted their own organ donor drive at the company’s offices in Kansas City, Missouri – a collective act of kindness that makes Jeff beam with admiration. One associate is a living example of the power of organ donation after receiving a heart transplant. “I was incredibly proud that associates at H&R Block took this opportunity to make organ donation awareness ‘their own’ for their teams. I didn’t ask them to do that, but before I knew it, people were rallying to support the cause.”

“Thanks in part to the voices of Jeff Jones and all our Green Ribbon Champions, 2018 was a record year for organ donation in our community,” said Jan Finn, president and CEO of Midwest Transplant Network, the organ procurement organization serving Kansas and most of Missouri. “Due to the generosity of donors and their families, we facilitated 818 organ transplants to save the lives of grateful recipients.”

Equally important is the number of people registered as organ donors – the first step in giving hope and sharing life for nearly 2,500 Kansans and Missourians on the waiting list for an organ transplant. The wait can sometimes take years unless a living donor becomes available sooner.

“Last year, we received nearly 171,000 new and renewed registrations for organ, eye and tissue donation, and we are eager to keep the momentum strong,” said Finn. With the continued involvement of those who lend their voices to Midwest Transplant Network’s message – from hospitals and DMVs to donor families and transplant recipients, volunteers, ambassadors and of course, Green Ribbon Champions, Finn is confident it will be another great year.

Anyone can give hope and share life by joining the donor registry, regardless of age or medical history. The process typically takes under a minute and can be completed online at ShareLifeMidwest.com, or in person at the DMV when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or ID card. For many, it’s a simple way to make a powerful difference. A single donor can save up to eight lives and improve as many as 75 more.

“Giving life is profound – and there is no easier way to give life than to become an organ donor,” Jeff said. “I love the opportunity to share with others how easy it is to do, and how powerful it is to save someone’s life through organ donation.”

Watch as Jeff Jones explains his family’s connection to organ donation/living kidney donation in this 2018 video:

Media Contact:
Michala Stoker
913-261-7355

April is National Donate Life Month: Are You a Registered Organ Donor?

Midwest Transplant Network celebrates lives saved in 2018, continues momentum with Green Ribbon Campaign

H&R Block CEO on Giving Hope, Sharing Life

Now in his second year as a Green Ribbon Champion for organ donation, Jeff Jones continues to lead by example