Rowan Students Celebrate the Gift of Life

On Monday, April 16, students from Rowan University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) will hold its 19th Annual Organ Donor Awareness Day (ODD). The event will take place both inside and outside of the Chamberlain Student Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More than 10,000 students, faculty and staff may participate in the day’s activities, which include organ donor related games and booths, guest speakers, a hot dog eating contest, live entertainment, free food and plenty of organ donor themed giveaways.

“This is our 19th year conducting this special event,” said Organ Donor Day account manager Elisa Laurelli, “and each year I am amazed at the number of students who participate. I have even higher expectations for this year’s event.”

Rowan students will form the shape of a ribbon, while wearing their green ODD T-shirts, and stand in a silent tribute to all those still waiting for a life-saving transplant. This event will take place at 2 p.m. on the Chamberlain Student Center Patio.

Several local organ donor organizations such as the Gift of Life Donor Program and the American Red Cross will set up booths to answer questions or concerns and debunk the myths surrounding this important issue. PRSSA will also provide students with pre-paid envelopes so that students can change their donor status on the driver license.

Rowan’s PRSSA conceptualized Organ Donor Awareness Day to honor its chapter’s founder, Anthony J. Fulginiti, who 20 years ago received a life-saving kidney transplant from his sister. Rowan’s chapter also hosts a National Organ Donor Day Competition in which other PRSSA chapters nationwide host events on their campus.

PRSSA will donate all proceeds from the day to Gift of Life’s Family House, a safe haven for families to stay while loved ones undergo life-saving transplant surgery for little or no cost to them.

You can follow the progress of Organ Donor Awareness Day at Rowan University by “liking” it on Facebook or Twitter @OrganDonorDay.

-- Information from Rowan University's Public Relations Student Society of America