Unique collaboration with UGA drives awareness and organ, eye, and tissue donor registration among fans
ATLANTA, GA (November 1, 2024) – In 2023, 457 men, women, and children gifted a legacy of life through organ donation with LifeLink of Georgia, yet there are still nearly 3,000 patients awaiting an organ transplant in Georgia. LifeLink of Georgia is partnering with UGA Athletics and Learfield’s Georgia Bulldogs Sports Marketing to inspire new organ, eye, and tissue donor registrations and celebrate those who have chosen to save lives. Elements of the partnership include:
- PSA Video Series: Featuring student-athletes from various sports, including football, basketball, softball, and tennis.
- Infinity Campaign Stadium Displays: LifeLink will showcase a two-minute video on stadium displays featuring footage from the Infinity Campaign, highlighting the real-life stories of four organ donor advocates.
- Digital and Social Amplification: Support for the campaign will be visible through a web banner advertisement on the UGA website.
“Partnering with UGA gives LifeLink an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with fans about the life-changing impact of organ and tissue donation,” said Katie Payne, Executive Director of LifeLink of Georgia. “Extending our Infinity Campaign to UGA’s sports communities brings us closer to our mission of saving lives. One organ donor could save eight lives and improve the lives of dozens more through tissue donation.”
Georgia vs. Florida College GameDay Feature
Expanding on this unique partnership, LifeLink and UGA Athletics are collaborating on an impactful College GameDay broadcast airing on Saturday, November 2nd. This feature will emphasize the power of organ donation to transcend even longheld college football rivalries. Megan Twist, an Athens native and devoted Georgia Bulldog was a vibrant 23-year-old when she tragically lost her life. Her decision to register as an organ and tissue donor prior to her passing saved others, including Richard Bremer, a lifelong Florida Gator fan who received Megan’s lungs. With the support of College GameDay’s national audience, Megan’s family and Richard will share how Megan’s legacy – and her devotion to the Bulldog Nation – continues, and drive conversations about the importance of organ and tissue donation.
A special social media feature on Friday will highlight UGA student-athletes who have registered as organ and tissue donors and a heartfelt story of a UGA tennis player who can play for the Bulldogs today thanks to the gift from a donor and a life-enhancing tissue transplant. This personal connection among athletes represents the next chapter of this collaboration and underscores the impact of the Infinity Campaign.
The Infinity Campaign
The Infinity Campaign features a series of real stories from registered donors, each telling what inspired them to register as organ and tissue donors while emphasizing how their legacy will continue in the lives of people they may help. By sharing these stories, LifeLink encourages more people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and spread the message of hope and life.
“The decision to become a donor was deeply personal. It is an opportunity to give the ultimate gift – the gift of life,” said Adán Bean, an Atlanta poet featured in the campaign. “I get to continue to tell the story for others, be a little bit of ink in their pen and help them write what they want to write.”
To learn more about the Infinity campaign and organ, eye, and tissue donation, and to register as a donor, visit MyStoryContinues.com. Bean’s story, as well as the stories of other campaign participants, are highlighted on the website, as are innovative tools to show support of organ, eye and tissue donation, like the opportunity to upload a photo to share on social media.
Become a Donor
There are many ways to register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor:
- Visit MyStoryContinues.com today.
- Register when renewing or receiving a driver’s license or identification card at the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
- Register when obtaining a hunting or fishing license through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
For more information about LifeLink Foundation, please visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alison Ilg
alison@babbitbodner.com
LifeLink Foundation Media contact:
Tracy Ide
tracy.ide@lifelinkfound.org
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About LifeLink® Foundation
LifeLink Foundation was established more than 40 years ago with a mission to honor the lives of organ and tissue donors by providing renewed hope to as many people as possible through organ and tissue transplantation. Our organ procurement organizations support and guide families through the donation process as they establish their loved one’s legacy through organ and tissue donation. Their collaborative efforts, together with those of LifeLink Tissue Bank and LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory, give hope to the more than 100,000 patients waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, and tens of thousands more who could benefit from tissue transplantation. Our mission is carried out with compassion through dedicated team members who work tirelessly towards the goal we share with our professional partners, the families we serve, and our communities. For more information, please visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.
About Learfield
Learfield is the media and technology company powering colege athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.