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BlogCatalog Organ Donor Awareness Challenge!
Posted by TonyB • 7/02/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
In May, BlogCatalog helped more than 1,000 students get the school books, supplies, and resources they needed for their classrooms. Amazing!
Since then, the BlogCatalog team has been busy looking for a way to pull the community together again to launch an awareness campaign that will be heard around the world. Its the BlogCatalog Community Organ Donor Awareness Campaign.
Why organ donation? In Australia, more than 1,700 people are waiting for organ transplants. In Latin America, more than 50,000. In Europe and the United States, more than 170,000. In China, more than 2 million. In Africa, there isnt enough organization to really know. Without an organ transplant, these people will die.
Organ donation is a gift of life. On July 18, lets all come together again and raise awareness about organ donation and the good it can do. If everyone blogs about organ donation, no matter what country you live in, we can save lives! Its easy and we can also prove that bloggers can do good at the same time!
If you live in the United States, all you have to do is link to OrganDonor.gov. (www.organdonor.gov/donor/index.htm), UNOS (www.unos.org/), or MatchingDonors.com (matchingdonors.com). If your country has an online organ donation site, please add it to this bulletin so BlogCatalog members in your country can promote it too or visit the British Organ Donor Society for known worldwide links (body.orpheusweb.co.uk/lnks.html).
On Wednesday, July 18, write a blog post asking all your readers to sign up as organ donors. Your blog post should:
Have the title BlogCatalog Community Organ Donation Awareness Campaign (or some variation)
Explain the importance of organ donation and how it is a gift of life.
Link to one (or all three) of the sites above or the most suitable site for your country.
And add a link to our BlogCatalog Community Organ Donation Awareness Campaign page so we can give you and your blog credit for being part of it.
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to tony@blogcatalog.com . We will also be posting some ideas that you can use to tell your story about how organ donation is a gift of life! And please, dont forget to tell your friends to blog about this too. Together, I know we can raise awareness about organ donation!
User Comments
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count me in im in!!!!!!! of course im in!!!!!!! i love it!!! u guys always come up with amazing ideas!! BC rocks!! -
I think Organ Donation is a personal choice and I am not sure I am all for this challenge. I am a organ donor already but to encourage other people to do so... I don't know.. just doesn't sit right with me.
I may opt out of this one.-
hey girl i agree its a personnal choice but some people r just not aware they can save lifes... a little bit of information cant hurt....
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Hey dahmagypsy, you are right. Very personal. After reading some success stories, it's pretty eye opening. -
i'm with you susie...i know it's a life giving gift but i'm just not sure i'm up to it...i'll definitely watch for the next one!
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I totally agree the decision to donate or blog about organ donation is totally personal. For those who have witnessed the miracle of this life saving gift it is a blessing. By blogging about this we can raise awareness and if only one more person signs up as a donor it will be worthwhile.
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I will not be blogging about it as I already have.
In Canada in 2005, there were 4025 people on the waiting list for an organ. 283 died while waiting. That is 5 people per week.
More than 4000 Canadians are now waiting for an organ transplant to save their lives.
I have organ donor noted on my provincial health card, but I have also discussed my wishes with my family.
Organ donation is a personal choice yes, however I believe that it is important to help educate people about the option of organ donation.
There are so many myth associated with it that it is important to educate people.
I don't believe in this. "BlogCatalog Community Organ Donation Awareness Campaige."
In my opinion I see BlogCatalog as using it as a way to get traffic back here. Sorry folks, but that is my opinion and as important as I think it is to educate people I don't think you should be asking any of us to include BlogCatalog in our post.-
as i have already said, i won't be participating but that is for personal reasons. i do have to say though prettylady that i need to respectfully disagree with your perception of BCs intentions.
we came together as a community and raised money for kids affected by Hurricane Katrina and all over...it was inspiring to see this community come together to effect change...
did BC benefit? i'm sure they did but we did as well...traffic flowed to our blogs and our posts...organizations such as PledgeBank applauded our efforts as a community...
but as individuals, we received a much greater benefit...we received the benefit of knowing we had helped kids whose educations and futures were at risk whether it was because of Hurricane Katrina or whether it was because they attend a poor inner city school in Chicago...
we reached beyond ourselves to give something back and the power of one became the power of many...
in addition, even if BC receives publicity and traffic, we need to remember what BC gives us...a place to promote and network and gain recognition and traffic for our own blogs... -
The reasons I choose not to participate is a personal one However I do not think that BC is doing this for a publicity stunt or to get more link back to BC. I agree whole heartedly with iluvmonkeys2 on this
My issue is that many people choose not to donate based on religious beliefs and there are many ethical questions about organ harvesting and I feel that I do not have the right to promote a cause that I believe to be very personal in nature. There is enough information about Organ donation should one be interested in doing so. Infact, when I went to get my driver's license.. I was asked if I wanted to be an Organ Donor; It is inevitable that such questions will be raised in one's lifetime that I do not need to educate people about this.
It is my intentions of getting into medicine one day and perhaps my position will change in this matter... however I have some concerns about the current practices of organ donations that I choose to opt out. -
Again, dharmagypsy7 you have the right to your opinion and I have a right to mine.
I applaud them for wanting to education people about Organ donation, but I don't think that bloggers should have to link back to BC and why choose one day to blog about it?
You are right, people will be asked at some point in their life if they wish to donate and MANY will say no because they are uneducated.
Have you ever known anyone or talked to anyone waiting for an organ?
www.todays-woman.net/article1731.html - Organ Donation: Give the Gift of Life -
Like I said, PrettyLady, the reason I choose to opt out is that I do not believe I am educated enough about it to promote it.. and I was agreeing with ilovemonkeys2 and her opinions. I do not believe I mentioned you at all in my comment. Do not make this all about you.
and I am an Organ Donor myself so there goes your theory about Many saying no.. I said yes.
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I'm in. -
Yeah! I'm sorry for late! -
iluvmonkeys2, you have every right to disagree.
You have your opinion and I have mine. I applaud you all for coming together and raising money for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, but I see this as something very different.
My community each month supports Huge and Hope, but never do I ask my community members to blog about it and link to my community.
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this, won't we.-
I can assure you that is not the case, Prettylady. Meaning no disrespect, I chatted with Tony about the campaign because I'm running something about it tomorrow on my community blog. I also alluded to but did not say why I was willing to support this. For more than three months last year, I spent the better part of my days in a NICU because my daughter was born premature. It was often touch and go. Three infections, one which left scars on her feet, countless defibs, spinal taps, and other procedures, etc., etc. going in on some days and feeling pretty positive, being called in on others to make tough calls. Well, although she didn't need a transplant, thank God, I saw a great many who did. So after talking to Tony, I can assure you that while you may hold that opinion, it's not accurate. No one has to link to BC to join this campaign; it's not a requirement. He only does it so he can recognize all those who do and show solidarity within the community.
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Yes, I'm in -
Great choice of cause!
We lost a very dear family member while he was waiting for a heart transplant to become available :-(
There is so much misinformation out there about organ donation that keeps people from signing up to become a donor. This sounds like a great opportunity to help clear up some of the confusion! -
Definitely a challenge worth taking up. I'm in too. There is nothing more prescious than the gift of life. After all if were gone, it's the last meaningful thing we can do in our lives.
Czecho
socceroverload.com -
Rich, I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. This is dear to my heart too as June 19 is the anniversary of my daughter's death. I only wish I had of donated her organs.
My life was altered for me when I was at the hospital with my mother in the Kidney Dialysis center. I saw a great number of patients waiting for a kidney transplant. I knew at that moment I wanted to be a kidney organ donor.
I also spoke to a young man 18 who was waiting for a heart transplant. I saw the pain and anguish he went through. I wonder to this day if he received his heart.
Again I applaud Blogger Catalog for asking bloggers to speak up about organ donation and I hope bloggers will blog about it, not just on the 18 but anytime.
Yet again, we will just have to agree to disagree on some opinions? -
dharmagypsy7, no you did not mention me. You did comment on something that I commented on, therefore I felt that you were addressing me and now that Rich has educated me a bit with regards to not needing to link back to BC I have a different perspective. I guess I did not understand the need to mention BC and link to BC. Nonetheless I still think it is a wonderful Challenge and for the same reasons as Rich I can only hope people take part.
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My condolences Crimson!
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Count me in too!! Fantastic Idea! -
Ok -
How coincidental: I was going to blog about organ donation today anyway! I'll hold off until the 18th. -
Personally I'm not sure about this campaign. While I completely support the humanitarian efforts of BC, experience has left me even more conflicted on the whole donor idea.
Here's why...
A dear friend of mine waited close to 8 years for a kidney transplant. I documented most of her struggle with my video camera for almost 6 years. The footage is very compelling.
I watched, learned about, and helped with her home dialysis treatments. Unpacked boxes of medical supplies, accompanied her on hospital visits, prepared daily portions of medication, and listened to her deepest feelings about her condition.
At times it was completely heartbreaking... and I often felt guilty for not believing in organ transplants because of the risks involved, and the fact that on a daily basis there isn't a guarantee
on any of our lives.
While I love and worry about my friend, my personal
beliefs surrounding this topic was stronger than the urge to donate and played an important role in my decision not to be tested as a possible donor... it was not an easy choice!
In 2006 the long awaited phone call announcing a match materialized, and she received a cadaver kidney. Unfortunately the risk of complications/rejection soon arose and I'm not sure if it's more frightening waiting for a donor, or dealing with the realization that in this instance your chances of surviving are still very slim...
Considering everything she's been through my friend is a strong woman with a warm disposition, and she makes it a point to stress to people to enjoy life each day. She never complains about her situation, and if you met her you would never guess that she's going through this because as painful as it is, she has accepted the fact that life is not guaranteed to anyone.
I have learned to truly appreciate each day because of her.
Like dharmagypsy7 said, "it just doesn't sit right with me." Organ Donation is a personal choice that takes you on a roller coaster ride of overwhelming emotions that I cannot contribute to. That is why I choose not to participate in this particular campaign.
If there is ever a campaign for research on a cure
to these health issues I will definitely lend my support. -
I think it's a great idea. There are a lot of people on the waiting list for a transplant to save a life. -
A fin de fomentar la participación rogamos la traducción de este artículo a otros idiomas, entre ellos el español.
Gracias anticipadas.
Nos unimos.
quienentravuelve.blogspot.com/2007/07/campaa-de-concienciacin-de-la-donacin... -
We all support you in your effort - good luck -
comment removed by the community.
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One of the reasons we decided to launch the Organ Donation Awareness challenge is that we wanted something that does not involve financial contributions as well as a subject that is challenging yet beneficial to blog about.
Anyway, to help make it easier, the BlogCatalog team has searched all over for ideas. Here are a few that really stood out. Use them or find something similar for inspiration.
Success Story! Alex Pratt of Los Angeles suffered from kidney disease for over 20 years. It was a huge burden on his wife and two children until he received his first transplant in 1993. Unfortunately, it only lasted 9 years, so he had to wait another four years for a second transplant. He would have never gotten a second chance if not for www.MatchingDonors.com and a paired donation program at Johns Hopkins Hospital. See the Discovery video! dsc.discovery.com/fansites/surgery/surgery.html ) The are hundreds more at Transplant Success ( www.transplantsuccess.org )
Stop The Black Market! Slate Magazine took a hard look at a growing problem around the world. Organ donation is so great, some poor people are being convinced to sell their organs on the black market. In Pakistan, 40 percent of the people in some villages are turning up with only one kidney. There is only one way to stop it and that is encouraging more people to become donors. See the article! ( slate.com/id/2164177/ )
Donors Needed! In Australia, more than 1,700 people are waiting for organ transplants. In Latin America, more than 50,000. In Europe and the United States, more than 95,000. In China, more than 2 million. In Africa, there isnt enough organization to really know. Without an organ transplant, these people will die. There are many statistics and links to find a good story at Wikipedia. ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donation )
Campaign Promotion! You can blog about BlogCatalogs effort to do good and how hundreds of bloggers are coming together on BlogCatalog to do good. If this campaign is successful, then we will continue to organize and inspire BlogCatalog Community Awareness Campaigns every other month. It is our best chance to prove that bloggers do not only complain or express contrary views. Sometimes, we come together to do good in the world, raising awareness for causes that do not always get the attention they deserve. Heres what the National Business Community Blog ran about us last time.
( nbcb.blogspot.com/2007/05/blogcatalog-employs-social-media-for.html )
Everyone here at BlogCatalog.com hopes these ideas will help inspire you to join us. This is the first independent blogger social awareness campaign to benefit organ donation all over the world. We really hope you will join us and hundreds of bloggers around the world on July 18! -
Isn't that a dead person's organs should be donated?? Kidneys can be transplanted by an alive female but heart,etc are taken from a dead person's body?!? -
I just made it!
Don d'organes = don de vie.
To give organ is to give life!
Thanks -
I will whole heartedly participate in this effort. My father is alive today becuase he was one of the few lucky ones to receive a heart transplant 10 years ago. The family of the very young man that he received his heart from was amazing, self-less and generous. From their own personal loss of a loved one came a renewed life for many that received another chance, through him, that day. I am a donar as I believe my earthly body is just that... a body. I can only hope the circumstances of my own physical death can provide continued life for others. -
We lost all posts on here for the last 4 days. The Blogger Challenge is one week from Wednesday. Please keep posting or repost here.
Let's make history by coming together as the largest group of bloggers to blog on a subject on the same day and raise the awareness of all the issues surrounding organ donation.
There is so much to blog about for or against organ donation. -
Please also link to LifeSharers at www.lifesharers.org if you're blogging in the United States. -
Count on me for the 18th! -
Great idea and kudos to BlogCatalog for leading an excellent initative. In Illinois we are working to register 3.5 million Illinois residents in the state's new first-person consent donor registry by April 2008. The new registry is going to help save hundreds of more lives by ensuring that the wishes of donors are carried out.
I invite everyone to visit our campaign website at www.IAmAreYou.org and to check out the excellent online community of supporters we have.
Thanks!
-Scott
Donate Life Illinois - Campaign Manager
www.IAmAreYou.org
Blog - www.iam-areyou.blogspot.com/ -
gREAT news -
This is a very worthwhile campaign and I will be participating. -
keep up the great work.. -
I already posted mine (2AM of Wednesday where I am). Organ donation is a choice, of course it is, but it is the RIGHT choice. Anything I could do to help make it known, do count me in. Here's my post:
frenchkys.blogspot.com/2007/07/organ-donation-help-someone-live-after.html -
Congratulations on your initiative to promote organ donation. I've been advocating this in my blog since my lung transplant in 2002 and have been speaking to churches, service clubs, high schools and other community groups in the Province of Ontario. Please visit my blog www.mervsheppard.blogspot.com and the Ontario government's organ & tissue donation education and procurement agency, Trillium Gift of Life Network at www.giftoflife.on.ca. Merv. -
My Dad had a kidney transplant 3 years ago - I have told the story for my blog post today - July 18, for the BlogCatalog Community Organ Donation Awareness Campaign :-)
Would love for you to have a read:
literaryminded.blogspot.com -
I am on board.
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Done and early as I may get tied up tomorrow. However, I'm being careful with outbound links right now, so BC's link did not make it. Sorry. -
Please visit my blog at www.mervsheppard.blogspot.com for my contribution to the July 18th effort to raise donor awareness. Merv.
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my little contribution:
healthy-lifestyle.most-effective-solution.com/2007/07/18/blogcatalog-commun... -
I'll be blogging for donation at my site! Come visit!
donorcycle.blogspot.com/2007/07/do-you-deserve-organ.html -
This is great - whatever the point of view - its gloves off over at our blog:
www.gosmelltheflowers.com/blog
I'd give my right arm to see this through. Yikes! -
All on board here.....
thenhlarenaprogram.blogspot.com/2007/07/blogcatalog-community-organ-donatio...
I really hope this goes well. -
Yeah definitely i would review this and help those students!
Again BC rocks! Go ahead! Rock on Rocking!
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