The Ohio State University “Buckeyes for Life” Workplace Partnership

Getting Started In April 2004, OSU President Karen Holbrook attends the National Association of State University and Land Grant Colleges meeting and hears presentation on Workplace Partnership for Life and “Get Game. Give Life.” Issues directive to Fred Sanfilippo, OSU VP and executive dean for health sciences, to initiate campus-wide awareness effort Committee is formed with the directive –“Implement “Get Game. Give Life.” program at The Ohio State University and develop other Workplace Partnership for Life initiatives to increase awareness and education surrounding donation of organs, tissues, eyes and blood.”

Committee Key representation at all levels of the University –Chair: Elizabeth Seely, Administrator, University Hospital –Members: David Brown, Department of Athletics David Hoover, University Relations/President’s Office Laura Murdock, Transplant Services Amy Barrett, Marketing and Communications June Hinkle, University Hospital – Nursing Marilyn Pongonis, OPO, Lifeline of Ohio

Coming Together Commitment to monthly meetings First Meeting in June 2004 was a learning experience for many By the July meeting goals were being set and the committee was establishing an identity

Goals and Accomplishments While focused on “Get Game. Give Life.”, Committee explored opportunities at other athletic venues. Football Coach Jim Tressel and President Holbrook created a PSA that began airing at all home football games. (105,000 attendance each home game)

Donor Awareness Day Football Homecoming Campus-wide to faculty, staff & students that week Article in OnCampus newspaper President’s pre-game brunch featured a student/heart recipient as a speaker and promoted donation PSA and scoreboard graphics aired pre-game and each quarter. PA announcements promoted Ohio Donor Registry OPO staffed education booth inside stadium

Get Game. Give Life 1 st Big Ten Conference Basketball Game Redesigned Get Game materials to support Ohio Donor Registry “Buckeyes for Life” pens to facilitate sign-ups Educational booths throughout arena Scoreboard quizzes with donation facts Logo and Graphics on scoreboards Halftime ceremony

Donate Life Month Campus Mascot posters in every building on campus All faculty/staff/student from Sr. VP and Dean of College of Medicine promoting donation and linking to website OSU Medical Center Website portal for donation information Advertising support for donation Hospital information booth and signage in lobby and hospital Employee raffle

The Work Continues Entire committee chose to continue beyond year commitment Ongoing –LOOP & Athletic Department collaborated on Second Chance Trust Fund grant to develop more PSAs with OSU coaches and have placements on game broadcasts, coaches TV shows and during games in stadium and arenas. –Development of a Students for Organ Donation chapter on campus –Articles in campus publications –Coordination with campus blood drives –Integrating donation information/discussion into appropriate course curriculum –Big Plans for Donate Life Month 2006 !

Keys to Success Support from the top Diverse representation from key areas of the university –Inclusion of OPO representative Committee members in a position to get things done Commitment to the mission of donation