Site Map














  Photo Gallery    
 
  Update on Heidi Smith
 
Click image to view our        Donor Awareness PSA
 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

Organ & Tissue Donation: A Plan for All Nevadans
Putting Assembly Bill 497 Into Action

Co-Chairs:  Former Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons and
Former Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa

 

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, the United States has experienced a tremendous increase in the demand for organ and tissue donations. While the need for organ and tissue donations has grown astronomically, the number of donors has not. The shortage of donations has reached unprecedented levels. According to UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing), more than 90,000 people nationally are currently waiting for an organ or tissue transplant; every 14 minutes a new name will be added to the list; and every day 12 people die in the United States because they failed to receive a transplant in time.

One donor can help the lives of 100 people through organ and tissue donations, i.e.; heart, kidney, lung, pancreas, middle ear, cornea, small intestines, tendons, cartilage, eyes, bones and bone marrow. Some of these donations can be made by the living, while others can obviously only be made by someone who has passed away.

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we as Nevadans and as a society recognize the importance of organ and tissue donation. The Task Force seeks to encourage all Nevadans to pledge the gift of life by becoming an organ and tissue donor.

During the 2001 Legislative session, the Attorney General, Frankie Sue Del Papa,  testified in support of Assembly Bill 497, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons and Senator Ray Rawson and several of their colleagues. Assembly Bill 497 requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to work in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection to create and maintain an accurate list of individuals who have pledged to be organ donors. This will allow candidates to receive their transplants in a shorter amount of time, ease the burden of family members, and provide support to transplant services. 

During the 2005 Legislative Session, Co-Chairs Frankie Sue Del Papa and Dawn Gibbons worked for the support and passage of Assembly Bill 234, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert.  Assembly Bill 234 transferred the duties pertaining to the Anatomical Gift Account and anatomical gifts from the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection to the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

The Task Force hopes to continue accomplishing the following goals:

  • To continue with an aggressive, proactive campaign to educate and inform the public about the need for organ and tissue donation
  • To work with a contracted organization and the Nevada DMV Offices to maintain the state organ donor registry
  • To implement a donor education program for Nevada schools, especially in driver’s education classes · 
  • To partner with the Nevada DMV Offices throughout the state to display reader boards, posters and other methods to promote organ donor awareness
  • To promote the Nevada organ donor license plates
  • To increase the awareness of health care professionals about the critical role they play in the organ donation process
  • To promote collaboration and communication among local organizations, thereby creating a solid foundation of grass-roots support for organ donation
  • To work with federal, state and local government agencies and other interested parties to form and implement policy initiatives that will assist in meeting these goals

       To continue accomplishing these goals, we must continue our efforts to better educate the public about the tremendous need for organ and tissue donation. The Task Force will work in conjunction with various media outlets to help accomplish this goal. Public Service Announcements have been and continue to be an invaluable tool in this process, as well as brochures, media presentations and news releases. 

The Task Force will also focus on better educating health care professionals about the critical role they play in organ and tissue donation. It is essential that health professionals who provide support or primary care to critically injured individuals and others become an important player in the process of providing information to family members about the benefits of organ and tissue donation.

The Task Force must also work to strengthen grass roots efforts through partnerships with the Nevada League of Cities, Nevada Association of Counties and additional organizations that can assist in educating the public at the local level, as well as with helping to distribute information to Nevada’s rural communities.

Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

MEMBERS OF THE ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION TASK FORCE

Founding Chairs: 

  • Former Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa
  • Former Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons

Members:

  • Frankie Sue Del Papa
  • Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons
  • Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert
  • Karyn Werner, NV Department of Motor Vehicles (Ex-Officio Member)
  • Stephanie DeBoor, Washoe Medical Center
  • Elisa Giglio-Siudzinski, Washoe Medical Center 
  • Larry Matheis, Nevada State Medical Association
  • Michael Pennington, Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce
  • Debbie Pinjuv, The Transplant Network
  • Ken Richardson, Nevada Donor Network
  • Anne Sagel, Nevada Donor Network
  • Cassandra Smith, Sierra Eye & Tissue Donor Network
  • Claudia Swift, Sunrise Hospital Medical Center
  • Fina Wardle, University Medical Center

Friends of Task Force:

  • Senator Valerie Wiener
  • Assemblyman John Oceguera
  • Danita Cohen, KOLO-TV
  • Dianne Cornwall, Congressman Jim Gibbons' office
  • Antonia Cowen, Office of the Attorney General
  • Michael Crovetti, The Bone & Joint Institute
  • Carol Falk, DMV
  • Steve George, Governor's Office
  • Mylan Hawkins, Nevada Diabetes Association
  • Caryn Key, UNLV Office of Research & Graduate Studies
  • Jack Kim, Sierra Health Services
  • Erik Lauritzen, Artist and Kidney Transplant Candidate
  • Woody Marshall, Intermountain Donor Services
  • Deena McKenzie, Carson-Tahoe Hospital
  • Glade Myler, Office of the Attorney General
  • Mitch Nowicki, REMSA
  • Larry Pinson, Nevada State Pharmacy Board
  • Peggy Pound, Picus Group
  • Virginia Reese, California Transplant Donor Network
  • Heidi Smith, Liver Transplant Recipient
  • Rev. Richard Smith, St. Rose Dominican Hospital
  • Marie Soldo, Sierra Health Network
  • Noel Tiano, Nevada Center for Ethics and Health Policy
  • Bill Welch, Nevada Hospital Association
  • Judy Williams, The Transplant Network volunteer
  • Judy Wright, Nevada State Health Division
  • Cynthia Wyett, Washoe County District Attorney’s Office Administrative

Support for Task Force:

  • Danelle Snodgrass, Attorney General’s Office - Bureau of Consumer Protection 
  • John Michela, Deputy Attorney General, DMV – Legal Advisor to Task Force 

 

 

Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

PROTOCOLS

The Chairs are responsible for: serving as spokespersons for the Task Force; organizing Task Force meetings; implementing the goals, vision, and mission statements of the Members of the Task Force; coordinating various outreach programs with affected parties; providing recommendations to the Legislature; appointing members to serve as Members or Friends of the Task Force, including subcommittees and ad hoc committees; and are voting members of the Task Force.

The Members of the Task Force are appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairs to implement any and all necessary actions and programs outlined in the Task Force Action Plan. The Members of the Task Force are comprised of representatives from various health care organizations and from the public. The Members will assist in fulfilling the goals, vision and mission statement of the Task Force. The Members are voting members of the Task Force. When a Member cannot attend a Task Force meeting they should appoint a proxy to attend on their behalf and that proxy should be thoroughly briefed on the issues and matters that will be discussed and voted on at that meeting.

The Friends of the Task Force are appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairs. The Friends of the Task Force represent various health organizations and constituency groups that provide recommendations to the Members for consideration regarding the direction of the goals, vision and mission of the Task Force. The Friends of the Task Force are non-voting members of the Task Force.

The Appointment of Prospective Tissue Bank Members to the Task Force:  In order to qualify for membership on the Nevada Organ & Tissue Donation Task Force, any organ procurement organization or tissue bank not already represented on the Task Force must:

  • Be EBAA, FDA or AATB accredited and/or registered;
  • Have an agreement concerning organ or tissue procurement with a Nevada hospital; and
  • Be a non-profit, tax exempt entity pursuant to 26 U.S.C.501 (c)(3).

Upon meeting these qualifications, an organ procurement organization or tissue bank shall not become a member unless appointed by the Chairs.  These qualifications do not apply to prospective members that are not organ procurement organizations or tissue banks.

Administrative Staff members assist in implementing Task Force meetings and all necessary requirements to further the goals, mission and vision of the Task Force. Administrative Staff are non-voting members of the Task Force.

The Task Force shall meet on a quarterly basis unless important matters come up that require the attention of the Task Force.

Approval of Expenses for the Task Force:  Expenditures for the Task Force over $1,000 must be approved by the Task Force Members at the quarterly meetings. In between meetings if an opportunity presents itself and the expenditure is under $1,000, approval can be obtained by either of the Chairs and Ken Richardson from the South. Routine ordering of brochures, pins, and other educational materials can be done by the administrative staff without prior approval of the Task Force Members.

Top of Page

 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

TASK FORCE MEETING INFORMATION

 

Date & Time of Meeting: 
February 14, 2008 @ 1:30pm - 3:00pm

Place of Meeting:                  
Reno:  UNR School of Medicine
           UNSOM Pennington Blvd. room 214
Las Vegas:  UNSOM  room LC210 - video conference

 

           

 Meeting Notice and Agenda

AGENDA
fEBRUARY 14, 2008
 

UN

1.         Call to order – Frankie Sue Del Papa and First Lady Dawn
Gibbons 
 

2.         Introduction of  Members and Friends of the Organ Donor Program 
 

3.         Approval of Minutes from the July 11, 2007 meeting 
 

4.         Frankie Sue – Meeting with the of Secretary of State on Advanced Directives
 

5.   Trudy Larson-

            Update on SOM initiated publicity (introduce Mark Levine)

            Budget update

            Consideration of movie theater advertising

 6.    Jude Hurin – DMV interior and exterior signs and donor registry stats 

7.    Ken Richardson/Sandi Smith – Update on activities for April to celebrate Nat’l Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month. 

     

a)         Second Chance Foundation to honor Ann Lynch and Sunrise Hospital

b)         Interactive play, The Gift of Me, about organ donation in the African-American Community.  It is being co-produced with the College of Southern NV and tentatively scheduled for April 30th

c)         Donor Recognition program with Reg Green

d)         Women’s Expo, April 5th and 6th, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center

e)         Charity Raft races, May 9th, The Transplant network and the City of Reno

f)          Project with UNLV to replicate the 2005 DHHS-sponsored Gallup poll on organ donation

g)         UNOS Region 5 Collaborative meeting, April 30-May 1 in Las Vegas

 8.   Emily Cobb- Press Release for National Organ Donor Awareness Day

 9,   Jacky Beecher – Medical and Nursing Student competition to sign up Organ donors for the Fall of 2008

10.  Tracy Copeland – Team NV Donate Life walk on April 19th at the Sparks Marina

 11.  Fina Wardle, Director Medical/Surgical Services at UMC, will comment on the Liver Transplant Program in Nevada

 12.  Judi Steele, Director of Clark Co. Public Education Foundation, fundraising for the Organ Donor Program 

13.  Public Comment

 

14.  Discussion/Action regarding future meeting dates – Frankie Sue

 

                                  

 

                                                          

                                            

Agenda
October 10, 2006
 

 

1)     Call to order – Frankie Sue Del Papa

2)     Introduction of Task Force Members and Guests

3)     Opening Remarks Frankie Sue Del Papa and Dawn Gibbons

A)      Introduction of Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. John McDonald        

              B)  Introduction of Dr. Trudy Larson, Professor at the School  of Medicine, who has been assigned as the Liaison by Dr. McDonald to orchestrate the transition of the Organ and Tissue Donor Program from the Bureau of Consumer Protection to the UNR School of Medicine

C)    Introduction of Tom Ray, Legal Counsel

D)   Introduction of Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert to Executive membership

E)   Introduction of Sandi Smith RN, Administrator for Organ & Tissue Donor Task Force

     4)  Report from Anne Sagel, NV Donor Network, about a fundraiser ( Family Appreciation Celebration ) to be held in Las Vegas   

                *A)  Request for $2,500.00 for the fundraiser

                *B)  Request for $1,800.00 for printing DMV brochures used by the NV Donor Network

5)    Report from Bob Mirisch, Second Chance Foundation, about Fundraiser ( 2nd Annual Roast ) to be held in Las Vegas

       *A)  Request for the Task Force to buy tickets, $250.00, for some members to attend the event

6)  Discussion of the Task Force grant by Dr. Trudy Larson entitled “Increasing Organ Donors for Nevada:  Outreach to The African American Community”

     7)  Discussion from Ken Richardson, NV Donor Network, regarding some of the current events pertaining to recent scandals involving Tissue Banks

8)   Public comments

9)   Discussion/Action regarding future meeting dates - Frankie Sue Del Papa

 

·        Action may be taken on items denoted by Asterisk (*)

·        The committee wishes to notify the public that it may consider agenda items out of order and may adjourn early

·        This agenda has been sent to all the members of this Committee and other interested person who have requested an agenda for this meeting

·        This agenda has been posted on the NV Organ & Tissue Donation Task Force website

·        Members of the public who are disabled and require special accommodations or assistance at the meeting are requested to notify Cassandra Smith RN at (775)784-6171, 24 hours prior to the date of the meeting

 

THIS NOTICE AND MEETING AGENDA HAS BEEN PROPERLY NOTICED AND POSTED ON OR BEFORE 

 

9 AM ON THE THIRD WORKING DAY BEFORE THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

 

University of Nevada –Reno                                     University of Nevada- Las Vegas

1664 N. Virginia                                                        2040 W. Charleston Blvd

Reno, NV 89557                                                        Las Vegas, NV 89154

 

NV Dept. of Motor Vehicles                                     NV Dept of Motor Vehicles

555 Wright Way                                                        8250 W. Flamingo Rd

Carson City, NV 89711                                             Las Vegas, NV 89117

                                                                          

 


 AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 9, 2005

 

  1. Call to order – Frankie Sue Del Papa
  2. Self introduction of Task Force members present.
  3. *Approval of meeting minutes from November 18, 2004 and August 22, 2005.
  4. Opening Remarks – Frankie Sue Del Papa

a)     Introduction of Dean of School of Medicine, Dr. John McDonald and Dr. Trudy Larson, Professor at the School of Medicine and has been assigned as the      Liaison for the Dean to orchestrate the transition of the organ donor program from the Bureau of Consumer Protection to the UNR School of Medicine.

b)     Report on reception at Legislature on February 14, 2005

c)     Announcement of the addition of Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert to executive membership of the Organ & Tissue Donation Task Force.

d)     Announcement of the ex-officio members of the Task Force (Rhonda Bavaro of DMV; John Michela, Deputy Attorney General for DMV; and Danelle Snodgrass of the Bureau of Consumer Protection) being moved to executive members of the Task Force.

5.  Update on program from Team Nevada – Karen Palomo

6.  *Review of the UAGA definition of organ vs. tissue and applicability and the applicability of State Law vs. Federal Law – Ken Richardson

7.     *Discussion/Action regarding updating the language for the Organ & Tissue Donation Action Plan re: modification of requirements for prospective tissue banks to become “Friends” of the Task Force – Ken Richardson

     Potential action: add or modify Task Force membership requirements.

8.   Report from Bureau of Consumer Protection – Danelle Snodgrass

         a)  Announcement of the new Consumer Advocate for the State of Nevada, Adriana Escobar-Chanos who has replaced Tim Hay.

         b) Report on funds in Gift of Life Education Fund

         c) Report on several organ donor awareness campaigns:

·         Current campaign through Cinema Screen Media. Movie theater ad that features the Cornwall twins and the organ donor license plate that has been running in both north and south movie theaters. As a result of the 8/22/05 the renewal of the contract for the months of November and December, 2005. Present report of hits to website for this period of time.

·         Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association campaign-posters which display the Cornwall twins with the organ donor license plate have been placed in the showrooms and F&I offices of most of the northern Nevada car dealerships, including Reno, Carson City and rurals.

·         Cornwall twins billboard which was up on Virginia Street displaying the organ donor license plate. Presentation of stats regarding number of visitors to the Gift of Life website during the month time frame the billboard was up.

·         PSA regarding organ and tissue donation which was produced by Mark One Productions and released by Nevada Broadcasters Association (NBA) which featured Emily and Chelsey Cornwall that was released statewide for the entire month of April, both TV and radio. Summary of the promotion done by NBA.

·         Review the proper procedures for obtaining funds from the Gift of Life Education Fund for any projects, promotional items, etc., regarding organ donor awareness to avoid out-of-pocket expenses that may not be refunded.

    

9.   Report from Department of Motor Vehicles – Rhonda Bavaro from DMV

            a) Update on number of organ donor license plates that have been sold.

         b) Amount of donations through DMV to Gift of Life Education Fund.

         c) Other DMV activities of importance to the Task Force. 

 

10.   Report on Statline progress, as Nevada’s new Donor Registry:

            a) Report from DMV – Rhonda Bavaro

            b) Report from Nevada Donor Network – Ken Richardson

            c) Report from Sierra Eye & Tissue Donor Services – Sandi Smith

            d) Report from California Transplant Donor Network – Virginia Reese

            e) *Present for discussion by the Task Force the draft for the uniform donor applications for the Statline donor registry. Discuss where these forms will be distributed.

               Potential action: discuss any modifications that Task Force members believe should be made before form is printed for distribution and decide where the forms will be distributed.

11.    Report from Sandi Smith of Sierra Eye & Tissue Donor Services

         a) Summary of the Task Force outreach efforts at the Nevada Women’s  Expo at the Reno Convention Center on March 5 and 6 and the Reno KREN Health Fair at the Hilton which took place on January 29 & 30.    

         b) Donate life awareness bracelets that are now available. If anyone wants to have one or distribute them, contact Sandi Smith or Danelle.

         c) Report on DMV demographics that Anne Sagel created.

12.          Report from Debbie Pinjuv of The Transplant Network 

  a) Campaign by The Transplant Network to have small billboards placed throughout Reno displaying the organ donor license plate and the Cornwall twins.

          b) Report on fundraiser The Transplant Network and Sierra Eye & Tissue Donor Services are working on for one of the Task Force’s members, Heidi Smith, who is currently waiting for a liver transplant.

13.    Public Comment

14.   *Discussion/Action regarding future meeting dates – Frankie Sue Del Papa

 

  * Action may be taken on items denoted by Asterisk  (*)

   ▪  The Committee wishes to notify the public that it may consider agenda items out of order and may adjourn early

   ▪  This agenda has been sent to all of the members of this Committee, and other interested persons who have requested an agenda for          

       this committee

   ▪  This agenda has been posted on the Nevada Organ & Tissue Donation Task Force website: http://giftoflife.nv.gov

   ▪  Members of the public who are disabled and require special accommodations or assistance at the meeting are requested to notify

       Danelle Snodgrass at (775) 687-6300, ext. 233, 24 hours prior to the date of the meeting.

 

 

THIS NOTICE AND MEETING AGENDA HAS BEEN PROPERLY NOTICED AND POSTED ON OR BEFORE 9 AM ON THE THIRD WORKING DAY BEFORE THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS :

                                               


 

University of Nevada – Reno

University Campus

Reno, NV  89557

 

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

4505 Maryland Parkway

Las Vegas, NV  89154

 

Office of the Attorney General

100 N. Carson Street

Carson City, NV  89701

 

Grant Sawyer State Office Building

555 E. Washington Ave.

Las Vegas, NV  89101

 

NV Dept. of Motor Vehicles

555 Wright Way

Carson City, NV  89711

 

NV Dept. of Motor Vehicles

8250 W. Flamingo Rd.

Las Vegas, NV 89117


 

100 N. Carson Street, Carson City, NV  89701

Phone:  (775) 684-1293 ~ Fax:  (775) 684-1170

Website: http://giftoflife.nv.gov

          

 

           

Top of Page

           

 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS

Coalition on Donation
700 N. 4th Street                                                       
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 782-4920
www.donatelife.net

Sierra Eye & Tissue Donor Services
1130 Ryland Street  
Reno, NV 89502
(775) 323-1566
www.dcids.org

The Assn. of Organ Procurement Organization                           
1364 Beverly Rd., Ste 100   
McLean, VA 22101 
(703) 556-4242
www.aopo.org

The Transplant Network                                           
1130 Ryland 
Reno, NV 89502
(775) 324-4501 
www.thetransplantnetwork.com

Nevada Donor Network, Inc. 
2085 E. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89104 
(702) 796-9600 
www.nvdonor.org

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
POB 13770
Richmond, VA 23225-8770
(804) 330-8503
www.unos.org

UMC Transplant Services
1800 W. Charleston
Las Vegas, NV  89102
(702) 383-2224
www.umc-cares.org

Washoe Medical Center
75 Pringle Way
Reno, NV  89502
(775) 982-4511
www.washoehealth.com

California Transplant Donor Network
1611 Telegraph Ave., Ste. 600
Oakland, CA  94612
1-800-553-6667
www.ctdn.org

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center
3186 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV  89109
(702) 731-8659
www.sunrise.com

Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

TASK FORCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Confirmed anchor organization for the Task Force

  • Drafted a mission statement

  • Conducted initial Task Force planning meeting in the North and South

  • Solicited co-sponsoring organizations

  • Drafted an Action Plan

  • Created a brochure for dissemination at DMV and distribution to public

  • Ordered Spanish version of organ donor brochure, personalized with task force contact information

  • Ordered African-American version of organ donor brochure, personalized with task force contact information

  • Created a multi-use, generic article that can be sent to various organizations throughout the state

  • Continue to work with the Nevada Broadcasters Association for the taping and airing of a specially designed Public Service Announcements in regards to organ and tissue donation

  • Developed a DMV donor awareness educational series for employees and continues to work with DMV on training their new employees

  • DMV has all procedures in place to implement AB 497

  • DMV has established protocols and procedures  to work with Nevada's  contracted organ donor registry.

  • DMV has established protocols with the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection regarding transfer of funds received from donations and the sale of the organ donor license plates. 

  • Organ Donor license plate has been created and is available to the public with close to 1,000 of these plates already sold

  • Information on organ donation has been disseminated to many health-related boards and commissions and other members of the health community and ongoing efforts will continue

  • Speaker’s Bureau Training Manual has been created and printed for distribution to service organizations, attorneys, churches and others who want to be involved in this educational program.

  • The Task Force has developed a budget to accomplish our goals efficiently and effectively for funding the printing of brochures and other educational materials.

  • The Task Force conducted a Special Summit on Organ Donor Registry Issues to discuss the future of the organ donation registry system for Nevada.

  • The Task Force coordinates with the Nevada DMV and the State Mailroom on a project that allows flyers, created by the Task Force, containing information about organ and tissue donation and the organ donor license plates to accompany the vehicle registration renewal notices that are sent out to thousands of Nevadans every month.

  • Coordinated a billboard campaign displaying Emily and Chelsey Cornwall, twin sisters who both had heart transplants, along with the organ donor license plate, displayed in downtown Reno for the month of February.  Subsequently, The Transplant Network and Sierra Eye & Tissue Donor Services have both contracted with Sierra Displays to have the same billboard, along with several smaller versions, to be placed all over Reno.

  • A smaller version of the billboard set up as a poster will be placed in most of the northern Nevada car dealerships as an organ donor awareness campaign.

  • Green awareness bands with the words "Donate Life" on one side and "Done Vida" on the other have been purchased and are being distributed as another organ donor awareness campaign.

    Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

SHORT RANGE GOALS

  • Continue to work with a contracted organization and the Nevada DMV to maintain the donor registry.
  • Continue our concerted effort to inform all health-related boards and commissions and other members of the health community.
  • Continue to acquire statistics from DMV (ex. age categories, location of people agreeing to be donors), organ procurement agencies (ex. number of donors per month) and UNOS (ex. number of transplant candidates waiting for organs in Las Vegas, Reno, etc.). These statistics will help the task force monitor our successes and weaknesses throughout the state.

LONG RANGE GOALS
  • Commitment to enhance medical education throughout the state in regards to organ and tissue donation.
  • Work toward re-establishing heart and liver transplant centers in Nevada.
  • Improve Medicaid program/funding for transplant surgeries.
  • Establish priorities for future legislative action.

    Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

MEDIA/PUBLIC OUTREACH   

  • Organ and Tissue Donation Action Plan (Spanish version, too) will be continually updated, with latest version available to media.
  • Brochure (in English and Spanish) has been developed and is currently in use by DMV, at health fairs, at speaking engagements, and through partner organizations to spread the word.
  • Generic article highlighting AB 497 and organ donation has been sent to various groups, organizations and media outlets.
  • Editorial article has been sent to all newspaper outlets.
  • PBS television stations have been contacted in the north and south to develop possible programming relating to organ and tissue donation.
  • Hispanic media and organizations have been enlisted for their support.
  • Various radio stations that air talk shows have been contacted for various organ donor events.
  • Nevada Broadcaster’s Association has been contacted regarding airing of Public Service Announcements across the state. · Contact Cox Cable in Las Vegas and AT&T in Reno regarding taping and airing of Public Service Announcements.
  • Website for Task Force has been set up with appropriate links to other local and national groups.

    Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

SPEAKERS BUREAU        

Debbie Pinjuv of The Transplant Network has agreed to take on the responsibilities of creating and maintaining a Speakers Bureau. One of the main focuses of the Speakers Bureau will be keeping the Department of Motor Vehicle office clerks educated throughout Nevada about the process of organ and tissue donation.  Information about AB 497 and how it affects DMV is also part of this training. The brochures the task force has developed will be available at each of the offices.

Members of the Speakers Bureau will also address various groups, including schools, service organizations, businesses, etc., to help educate the community about organ donation.

Top of Page

 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

LEGISLATIVE COMPONENT

Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert and Deputy Attorney General John Michela will be working with the Nevada State Legislature on bills that will enhance provisions of the new bill AB 234, which contains revisions of AB 497, as well as any new bills that will affect organ and tissue donation in Nevada.  Assemblywoman Gansert will also recruit additional state legislators to help carry out additional programs of the Task Force during future legislative sessions.

Deputy Attorney General John Michela will work with the legislators in drafting the appropriate language for any bill draft requests.

The Task Force will seek recommendations from members and others regarding said language.  

Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

IMPORTANT DATES
  • February 14, 2005: National Donor Day
  • February 14, 2005: Three Year Anniversary of Nevada Organ Donor License Plate issued by DMV
  • February 14, 2005
    National Donor Day Reception 
    12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Nevada Legislative Building, Room 3100
    Carson City, NV
    The Nevada Organ & Tissue Donor Task Force and our Nevada Legislators will be celebrating the third anniversary of our Organ Donor License Plates and the new media kick-off of our upcoming PSA, billboard and movie theatre ad campaigns.  
  • February 14, 2004: Saturn National Donor Day
  • April, 2005: National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Month
  • August: National Minority Donor Awareness Month
  • November : National Donor Sabbath
    This event encourages faith communities to spread the word about the importance of organ and tissue donation. 
  • Thanksgiving Day, November :  National Give Thanks, Give Life Day
     

    Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Media inquiries can be directed to the following members of the Task Force:

 

*Danelle Snodgrass
Bureau of Consumer Protection
100 N. Carson Street
Carson City, NV  89701
Phone:  (775) 684-1293
Fax:  (775) 684-1170
Email:  dlsnodgr@ag.state.nv.us

*Cassandra Smith
Sierra Eye & Tissue Donor Services
1130 Ryland Street
Reno, NV  89502
Phone:  (775) 323-1566
Fax:  (775) 323-1596
Email:  sandysreno@aol.com

Top of Page

 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *          

PRESS RELEASES

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *          

HOW YOU CAN HELP

STATE OF NEVADA
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
100 N. Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada  89701-4717
Telephone (775) 684-1100
Fax (775) 684-1108
WEBSITE:  http://ag.state.nv.us
E-Mail:  aginfo@ag.state.nv.us


October 10, 2001
Re:  Organ and Tissue Donation

Dear Concerned Citizen:

We would like to call your attention to a growing problem in the State of Nevada and across the United States:  the vital need to recruit more organ and tissue donors.

Following the passage of Assembly Bill 497 during the 2001 legislative session, we created the Organ & Tissue Donation Task Force, which is comprised of members from the transplant community, organ and tissue procurement agencies, health organizations, Nevada Legislature, DMV and the Attorney General's Office.  One of the main goals of the task force is to better educate and inform the public about the critical need for additional organ and tissue donors.  The task force is also working diligently to increase the awareness of health care professionals about the critical role they play in the organ donation process.

Currently there are more than 80,000 Americans waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.  The list continues to grow, with a new name added every 14 minutes.  Everyday in the United States, some 17 people die while waiting for a suitable donor.

We are enlisting your support of the task force and its noble mission of increasing the number of organ and tissue donors in Nevada.  We ask you to please consider making and distributing copies of the brochure, "The Gift of Life - Pass It On", (on green paper, please) and the donor information form provided by The Living Bank, a national organ and tissue donor registry, to  your employees, business associates and civic organization brethren.  By doing so, you will be contributing greatly to this very worthwhile cause and help save lives in the process.  Please feel free to add the words, "Printing Contributed By..." the name of your business or organization to the brochure.  A copy of the brochure can be e-mailed to you by sending your request to dlsnodgr@ag.state.nv.us.

Please feel free to call either of us if you have any questions, or contact Danelle Snodgrass in the Attorney General's Office at (775) 687-6300 with comments, concerns or questions.  Remember, together we can make a difference.

Cordially,


Top of Page

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * 

 

The Transplant Network
1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV  89557-0454
University of Nevada/School of Medicine/MS/0454
 (775) 784-6171

Copyright © 2001-2007         THE TRANSPLANT NETWORK          All Rights Reserved.