Transplant Support Organization

Jenna Lynn Mrozinski, a student from Tappan Zee High School, is this year's recipient of the TSO Memorial Scholarship. Jenna was present with her mother, Kathleen C. Mrozinski, to receive Jenna's award. Jenna's sister, Kelly, 17 years old, gave the gift of life saving a number of lives. Jenna organized and presented programs and activities in her community to increase organ donor awareness. Congratulations, Jenna!

New Scholarship Available

Transplant Support Organization (TSO) is pleased to offer a new TSO Scholarship that many students may apply for. The scholarship perpetuates the memory and spirit of deceased TSO members by fostering organ, eye and tissue donor awareness. This scholarship provides a financial incentive to high school junior and seniors for community service. More...

TSO PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Graham and Janet Ocasio, Co-Presidents

With over 100,000 in the US awaiting organ transplants, raising awareness about the critical need organ and tissue transplant donation is a national priority. The Transplant Support Organization, with the cooperation of a large number of local high schools, is responding to this need. This year, a team of transplant recipients and others under the leadership of Jeff Graham, a board member and past President of TSO , has spoken to over 6500 students in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. TSO provides the teachers and instructional materials, so there is no cost to the schools. In five years, over 35,000 students have been enabled to make an informed decision as to whether to register as organ and tissue donors.

Noel Mick, Director of Public and Professional Education of the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration, said: “I strongly believe in educating our students on organ and tissue donation. Congratulations Jeff and the entire Transplant Support Organization for this very successful project. It represents an extreme amount of hard work and coordination to achieve these outstanding results. The New York Organ Donor Network said: "Congratulations Jeff for your leadership and to all for this exceptional milestone. It is certainly a demonstration of your commitment, dedication and hard work."

Students are told of the need for donation, how to register as a donor, and what donation means to the lives of those who receive an organ or tissue. Some of the facts presented to the students are:

People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.

Organs and tissues that can be donated include: heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, corneas, skin, tendons, bone, and heart valves.

Tissue is needed to replace bone, tendons and ligaments lost to trauma, cancer and other diseases. Corneas restore site. Skin grafts help burn patients heal and often mean the difference between life and death.

It is illegal to buy or sell organs and tissue in the United States .

All major religions approve of organ and tissue donation and consider donation the greatest gift.

Organs are distributed based on medical information like blood and tissue type, body size, and how critical the need is. It is illegal to distribute organs based on non-medical information such as wealth, celebrity status, or citizenship. Matching is done through a national network operated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

There is no national registry of organ donors. Even if you have indicated your wishes on your drivers' license or a donor card, be sure you have told your family as they will be consulted before donation can take place.

I am hoping that others will be a part of our effort to help save lives through educating our high school students,” Jeff Graham said. "We are looking forward to starting up again in September within the schools. The TSO meeting on for September 9 th will be a speakers training session."