A life saved: Organ recipient pushes UDM drive
Ashley Piechocki
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Features
Four years ago, Beth Dalrymple received a life-saving phone call.
She learned that she was the recipient of a liver.
"I waited six years for a liver," said Dalrymple, a UDM alum. "But 18 people die every day because they do not receive life-saving transplants. I was given a second chance at life, and I wanted to make a difference."
Now, she's working to ensure that others in need have a similar opportunity.
For the sixth consecutive year, UDM students and staff are being encouraged to sign up to be organ donors through the Gift of Life University Challenge.
Dalrymple, who is active in the effort, almost did not receive her bachelor's degree because of her deteriorating health. Then, she received her life-saving phone call on Jan. 30, 2006, and graduated as valedictorian of UDM in 2008.
Suzanne York is also a big supporter of organ donation at UDM. She is the chair of the physician assistant program.
"University of Detroit Mercy students are encouraging peers, professors and local community members to sign up on the Michigan Donor Registry," York commented. "During the six-week Gift of life Campus Challenge, 16 schools from across the state will compete to sign up the most people to the donor registry."
UDM students, faculty and other supporters are being invited to sign up through email, social networking sites and public service announcements.
"Two trophies will be awarded at the end of the competition - one to the school with the most donor registrations and one to the school with the most registrations compared to student population," York explained.
Zach Funk, a UDM senior architecture major, has been registered as a donor since he got his driver's license at age 16.
"I feel like there is no reason not to be," Funk said. "You don't need them (if you've died), and by donating you will be helping the rest of society. I know I would want someone's organ, so in return I am willing to give up mine."
Funk recommends being a donor to his peers.
One person has the possibility of changing or saving eight lives, he said.
Last year 375 people signed up to be organ donors at UDM. So far, 68 have signed up this year. The challenge will continue until Feb. 25.
For details, check giftoflifemichigan.org/ showusyourheart?tag=udm. Once registered, you will receive a red heart-donor sticker that can be placed on your license.
"After an organ or tissue transplant, people can return to work, school and their family - all because an unknown hero gave them the gift of life," York said.
She learned that she was the recipient of a liver.
"I waited six years for a liver," said Dalrymple, a UDM alum. "But 18 people die every day because they do not receive life-saving transplants. I was given a second chance at life, and I wanted to make a difference."
Now, she's working to ensure that others in need have a similar opportunity.
For the sixth consecutive year, UDM students and staff are being encouraged to sign up to be organ donors through the Gift of Life University Challenge.
Dalrymple, who is active in the effort, almost did not receive her bachelor's degree because of her deteriorating health. Then, she received her life-saving phone call on Jan. 30, 2006, and graduated as valedictorian of UDM in 2008.
Suzanne York is also a big supporter of organ donation at UDM. She is the chair of the physician assistant program.
"University of Detroit Mercy students are encouraging peers, professors and local community members to sign up on the Michigan Donor Registry," York commented. "During the six-week Gift of life Campus Challenge, 16 schools from across the state will compete to sign up the most people to the donor registry."
UDM students, faculty and other supporters are being invited to sign up through email, social networking sites and public service announcements.
"Two trophies will be awarded at the end of the competition - one to the school with the most donor registrations and one to the school with the most registrations compared to student population," York explained.
Zach Funk, a UDM senior architecture major, has been registered as a donor since he got his driver's license at age 16.
"I feel like there is no reason not to be," Funk said. "You don't need them (if you've died), and by donating you will be helping the rest of society. I know I would want someone's organ, so in return I am willing to give up mine."
Funk recommends being a donor to his peers.
One person has the possibility of changing or saving eight lives, he said.
Last year 375 people signed up to be organ donors at UDM. So far, 68 have signed up this year. The challenge will continue until Feb. 25.
For details, check giftoflifemichigan.org/ showusyourheart?tag=udm. Once registered, you will receive a red heart-donor sticker that can be placed on your license.
"After an organ or tissue transplant, people can return to work, school and their family - all because an unknown hero gave them the gift of life," York said.
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Suzanne York
posted 2/03/10 @ 11:00 AM EST
Note new web address for Gift of Life Challenge: from now through February 25th, we are competing to see which school can sign up the most people to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. (Continued…)
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