News Release
Montana Becomes First State Government to Participate in Workplace Partnership for Life
4/4/2003
Meta Boyer
406-444-5665
meboyer@state.mt.us
"One organ donor can save the lives of up to 8 other individuals. A tissue donor may enhance the lives of up to 50 others. We want to provide every opportunity to ensure that our state government employees are aware of the opportunity to and the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor," said Governor Martz.
In March of 1993, Governor Martz donated a kidney to her younger sister, Sherrie.
"This is an issue especially close to my heart," said Governor Martz. "This experience provided me with a great awareness of the need to explore every possible means to spread the word about the need for organ and tissue donors."
According to US Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, the need for donated organs is urgent.
"More than 80,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ that could save their lives. On average, 17 people die each day waiting for an organ that does not come," he said. "We need to end this tragedy. And, together, we can. Through the generous gifts of donors, there are enough organs to save these lives."
Governor Martz challenged governors in all 49 other states to enroll their state governments in this program. The US Department of Health and Human Services will promote that challenge across the U.S.
"Montana is also the first state in the nation to enroll the entire state government into the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Workplace Partnership for Life, which is part of the Departmentís Gift of Life Donation Initiative," said Secretary Thompson in a letter to Governor Martz. "I urge other Montana organizations and other Governors to follow your powerful example and enroll their organizations into the Workplace Partnership for Life."
