New Illinois program encourages teens to raise awareness about organ donation

Chicago (CBS) — A new program aimed at teaching teenagers about organ donation and encouraging them to act as organ and tissue donation ambassadors launched Tuesday.

of Lifesaving education and donation awarenessor LEAD program, aims to raise awareness among teenagers.

“There are very few things in life and in government that can truly save a life, and this is one of them,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said. “Just one donor can save up to 25 lives.”

High school students can earn community service credits by participating in the program. All they need to do is hire a teacher as a program advisor and work with a local program coordinator from the Secretary of State's office who will provide virtual training materials, answer questions, and offer guidance.

Teens are also encouraged to host events and spread the word about the importance of registering as organ donors.

Morgan Reetz, a junior at Alan B. Shepherd High School in Palos Heights, was introduced by Giannoulias as an “outstanding young organ donor.” She explained that she learned about the importance of organ donation when her stepmother died of kidney failure.

“My father explained to me that sometimes people get sick and need a new organ,” Reetz says, “and that there aren't enough organs available and they can't find a match for everyone. When I learned this, I was saddened and wanted to help.”

Reetz noted that she was recently inducted into the National Honor Society, which requires 30 hours of community service.To achieve this goal, and because of her passion for organ donation, Reetz said she has worked the organ donation registry table at several events and has partnered with the Windy City Thunderbolts to do so.

It was no coincidence that Giannoulias and his team held an event to announce the program at Walter Payton College Prep High School, 1034 N. Wells St. Legendary Bears running back Walter PaytonDr. John F. Kennedy, who died in 1999 at age 46 from a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis, was a strong advocate of organ and tissue donation.