USC-Clemson: Now a matter of life, death

Would you like one more way to beat Clemson at something other than football?

This is your chance.

The first annual Donate Life Duel is a friendly competition between Clemson University and the University of South Carolina to see who can register the most organ and tissue donors before the rivalry football game on Nov. 28.

Mark Johnson, media relations coordinator for LifePoint, says registering to be an organ and tissue donor only requires visiting Every11minutes.org. The name of the Web site comes from the statistic that every 11 minutes another person is added to the national transplant waiting list.

Johnson has personal investment in the Donate Life Duel.

“My best friend died waiting on a transplant,” said Johnson. “One person can save the lives of up to eight people; I think it is a great legacy to leave behind.”

On the Web site, participants can join the Online SC Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. Once logged in, the user  will be able to indicate the school they support and their vote will be counted. Everyone can participate, including those who have already registered as an organ or tissue donor on their license or online.

Currently, Clemson University is winning 55 to 45 in the Donate Life Duel. Gamecock fans can register at the Florida game, where a sign-up event will be held. Free coozies and T-shirts will be given to participants.

 Keith Kenney, a professor in the School of Journalism, donated a kidney to his co-worker Debbie Garris, administrative coordinator in the School of Journalism, who was suffering from kidney disease and had been put on a transplant waiting list.

“I knew Debbie for years. Her father had died waiting for a transplant,” said Kenney. “I went in just to see if I would be a good match. It turns out I was an outstanding match. The chances were one in a million.”

Megan Roben, a second-year nursing student, and committee member for the Clemson/Carolina Blood Drive, agrees that the Donate Life Duel is a great idea.

“I think that donating an organ is one of the greatest things you can do for someone,” Roben said. “It truly is helping give someone in need a better quality of life.”

1 comments

Bill C.

Tue Nov 3 2009 09:43

Thank you for this article. My father has been on the kidney transplant list for 18 years (after a transplant that failed after 6 years). I just found out that even though I match my father's blood type, I still cannot donate to him because I have high blood pressure, as well. Organ donation is a wonderful gift, and I wish that more would open their hearts to giving the gift of life.

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