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Rescue to Recovery

https://vimeo.com/1058003821Welcome to the WEMSA Organ Donation Promotion Resource Center! Our goal is to provide EMS departments with the tools and resources needed to effectively promote organ, eye, and tissue donation within their communities. This initiative is supported by Donate Life Wisconsin, a leader in advancing the cause of donation and transplantation.

Even though you’re not involved in the organ and tissue recovery and transplantation process, YOU do play a vital role when someone with a neurological injury is able to be an organ, tissue and eye donor. As first responders, your goal is to save lives and make things better.  Supporting the option of organ donation with your actions in the field is just another way to accomplish this goal of keeping hope alive.

In this session, we will share some truths about organ, tissue and eye donation with you, cover protocols that can support organ donation and share a case study where EMTs made the difference in helping someone with non-survivable injuries become an organ donor hero.

Watch Emreigh's Story

Emreigh's journey is a testament to the life-saving impact of organ donation. In March 2020, at just a young age, she received a liver transplant that granted her a renewed chance at life. Her family's profound appreciation for this gift stems from their unique perspective: they have experienced both sides of organ donation. Emreigh's mother, a living kidney donor, exemplifies the family's commitment to giving and receiving the gift of life. Their story underscores the profound impact of organ donation and the importance of saying "yes" to being a donor.

This narrative is part of a series made possible by a grant from Donate Life Wisconsin, an organization dedicated to increasing awareness and registrations for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Through their Innovation and Impact Grants Program, Donate Life Wisconsin supports projects that highlight stories like Emreigh's to inspire others to consider organ donation. 

To learn more about organ donation or to register as a donor, visit the Wisconsin Donor Registry.

  

Key Messages & Calls to Action for EMS Departments

  • Register as a Donor: One person can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and heal more than 75 others through tissue and eye donation. Register today at DonateLifeWisconsin.org or when renewing your driver’s license.

  • The Need is Urgent: Over 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Every 10 minutes, a new person is added to the list. By saying YES to donation, you can give someone the chance to live.

  • Anyone Can Register: No matter your age or health history, anyone 15 or older can register as an organ, tissue, and eye donor. Don’t rule yourself out—medical professionals will assess your eligibility at the time of donation.

  • Talk to Your Family: Make sure your family knows your wishes about organ donation. Having this conversation can relieve your loved ones of difficult decisions later.

  • Donation Gives Back: When you become an organ, tissue, or eye donor, you leave behind a legacy of generosity and compassion, providing a second chance at life for others.
  • EMS Providers’ Role in Donation: EMS professionals may not promote organ donation directly, but your role is crucial in preserving the opportunity for donation. Proper documentation, ensuring unobstructed airways, and maintaining circulation can help potential donors save lives.

  • Heroes Saving Lives: Your efforts in the field contribute directly to saving lives through organ and tissue donation. Even if a patient cannot be resuscitated, your work ensures their potential as a donor is preserved.

  • Protocol is Key: Follow established organ preservation protocols for patients who meet donation criteria. Clear documentation of your resuscitation efforts, airway management, and patient condition can make all the difference.

  • Understand the Donation Process: Engage with the educational materials provided by the WEMSA Foundation to better understand your role in supporting potential donors, and ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge needed in critical moments.
  • Register Today: Become a part of the life-saving process by registering as an organ, tissue, and eye donor. Encourage your family, friends, and community to do the same at DonateLifeWisconsin.org.

  • Share the Facts: Spread awareness about the importance of donation through your networks, social media, and community events. Download and use the social media graphics from our toolkit to raise awareness.

  • Educate Your Staff: EMS departments play a critical role in organ donation. Use the educational resources, training sessions, and videos available through the WEMSA Foundation to ensure your team is informed and prepared.

  • Honor Donors and Their Families: Recognize and honor the generosity of organ and tissue donors within your EMS department. Acknowledge their contributions to saving lives, and support donor families whenever possible.

  

Example Social Media Captions

  1. General Promotion:

    • "Become a hero in someone's story. Register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor today and give the gift of life. Learn more at Donate Life Wisconsin. #DonateLife #OrganDonation #EMS"

  2. Blue & Green Day:

    • "Show your support for organ donation by wearing blue and green today! Together, we can save lives. #DonateLife #BlueAndGreenDay #EMS"

  3. Sharing Personal Stories:

    • "Meet [Name], an organ donor recipient who got a second chance at life thanks to a generous donor. Share your story and inspire others to become donors. #DonateLife #OrganDonation #SecondChance"

  4. Educational Content:

    • "Did you know one donor can save up to 8 lives? Learn more about the impact of organ donation and how you can help. #DonateLife #OrganDonation #EMS"

  5. Holiday Promotion:

    • "This holiday season, give the ultimate gift – the gift of life. Register as an organ donor and make a difference. #DonateLife #HolidayGiving #EMS"

Promotional Material
  • Social Media Graphics:
    • A collection of ready-to-use graphics for various social media platforms. These are designed to raise awareness and encourage your community members to register as organ donors.
    • Download Social Media Graphics
  • Suggested Captions:
    • Captions to pair with your social media posts. These are designed to inspire and educate your audience about the importance of organ donation.
    • Download Suggested Captions Document
  • Public Facing Video:
    • Share this powerful video within your community to highlight the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation.
    • Watch and Download Video
  • Printable Materials:
Educational Material
  • Educational Videos:
  • Class Curriculum:
    • Online class materials for EMS providers to learn about organ, eye, and tissue donation.
    • Access Curriculum
  • Informational Articles:
    • Articles and resources to deepen your understanding of the organ donation process.
    • Read Articles
Promotional Calendar & Community Engagement
  • Timeline of Organ Donation Promotion Holidays:
    • A calendar listing important dates and holidays related to organ donation, such as Donate Life Month, Blue & Green Day, and more.
    • Download Promotional Calendar
  • Event Ideas:
Logos

National Observances and Celebrations

The need for organ, eye and tissue donors is great. Join Donate Life America by participating in one of their many National Observances & Celebrations throughout the year! Together, through spreading the word and educating others about donation, we can take small steps each day towards saving more lives. Below are downloadable images you can use throughout social media and links to other resources for you to utilize within your local and online communities.

National Donor Day – February 14, 2024

National Donor Day is an opportunity for EMS professionals to focus on all types of donation—organ, eye, tissue, blood, platelets, and marrow. Participate in or host blood/marrow drives and donor registration events. It’s also a day to appreciate and honor donors and loved ones who have given the gift of life, have received a donation, are currently waiting, or did not receive an organ in time.

National Donate Life Month – April

National Donate Life Month (NDLM) features an entire month of activities to encourage Americans, including those in the EMS community, to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors. It also honors those who have saved lives through the gift of donation. Celebrations throughout NDLM include:

    • Donate Life Living Donor Day – April 3, 2024
      Join the EMS community in thanking all living donors for their lifesaving generosity. Use Donate Life Living Donor Day social media graphics to share with your community and acknowledge the incredible contributions of living donors.
    • National Donate Life Blue & Green Day – April 12, 2024
      On this day, EMS professionals and the public are encouraged to wear blue and green and to engage in sharing the Donate Life message. Promote the importance of registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor within your EMS networks and local communities.
    • Blue & Green Spirit Week – April  6–12, 2024
      Each day of the week leading up to National Donate Life Blue & Green Day is dedicated to a special theme. Recognize donors, volunteers, and healthcare heroes; give hope to those waiting; and engage the public in fun at-home activities. EMS professionals can use this week to highlight the critical role of donation in saving lives.
    • National Pediatric Transplant Week – April 21–27, 2024
      This week focuses on ending the pediatric transplant waiting list. EMS professionals can share innovative work and patient stories, honor donor families whose children have saved lives through donation, and celebrate milestones with recipient families. Collaborate with clinical partners and use social media to spread awareness. Donate Life America (DLA) would like to thank the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the American Society of Transplantation (AST),  American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and Transplant Families for their partnership in developing and promoting National Pediatric Transplant Week.

National Minority Donor Awareness Month – August

National Minority Donor Awareness Month is a collaborative initiative of  the National Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Multicultural Action Group (NMAG) – American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), the American Kidney Fund, Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT), Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO), Donate Life America (DLA), Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) National Kidney Foundation (NKF), The Links, Incorporated, the Transplant Life Foundation, and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) – to save and improve the quality of life of diverse communities by creating a positive culture for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Outreach activities during this month include events to provide donation education, encourage donor registration and promote healthy living and disease prevention to decrease the need for transplantation.

National DMV Appreciation Month – September

The DMV partnership remains the primary source of donor registrations. DMV and driver’s licensing partners are the people on the front lines of service who have helped register more than 140 million donors. National DMV Appreciation Month is a time for the Donate Life Community to say thank you and show its appreciation of DMV partners across the country through national and local events and outreach.

National Eye Donor Month – November

Eye Donation Month is observed every November to raise awareness about the gift of sight that comes from eye donation. The month also encourages people to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors. The Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) established Eye Donation Month in 1983. The theme of the month often aligns with the lyrics of Johnny Nash's 1972 song, “I Can See Clearly Now”.  Click here to read more about this observance and access promotional materials. 

For any questions or feedback regarding the the Rescue to Recovery Program & Resources, please contact us at wemsa@wisconsinems.com.

 

This content is FREE and available to ANY Wisconsin EMS Department thanks to grant funds provided by
Donate Life Wisconsin.